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Frequently Asked Questions
Tooth Whitening | Date Posted: 7/12/2005
| Question
What are “conventional” whitening toothpastes and how do they work?
| Answer
Conventional toothpastes marketed for whitening contain ingredients that help remove external stains by a gentle abrasive or polishing action, however they will not be able to change the natural tooth colour. Conventional whitening toothpastes use abrasive particles such as modified silica, titanium dioxide, alumina, dicalcium phosphate, sodium bicarbonate, calcium carbonate, or similar particulate substances.
Many of these products also contain phosphate compounds (such as pyrophosphates and polyphosphates) to reduce the formation of calculus (“tartar”) and thus keep the tooth surface clean, to give an additional cosmetic benefit, even though this is not a direct whitening action in itself. Detergents in these toothpastes also help to remove loosely attached surface stains.
There is no physical or chemical mechanism by which products based solely on abrasives can influence chromogenic (coloured) organic and inorganic materials (“stains”) within the enamel or dentine of teeth, since their actions are entirely of a surface nature.
Typical products:
• Colgate: Total Plus Whitening (silica); Colgate Whitening (silica, pyrophosphate); Colgate Whitening Plus Tartar Control (silica, polyphosphate, pyrophosphate); Colgate Baking Soda and Peroxide (silica, sodium bicarbonate, calcium peroxide, polyphosphate, pyrophosphate)
• Macleans Advanced Whitening Ice (silica)
• Pearl Drops Electric (silica, alumina); Pearl Drops ToothPolish Advanced Whitening (silica, pyrophosphate, dicalcium phosphate)
• Cedel Whitening Plus Tartar Control (silica, dicalcium phosphate, pyrophosphate)
• Coles Persona Whitening (silica); Coles Persona Total Care Plus Whitening (silica, dicalcium phosphate, pyrophosphate)
• WhiteGlo Whitening Toothpaste (silica, calcium carbonate)
• Sensodyne Gentle Whitening (silica)
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More questions in this category:
Should teeth be white?
Which dentist can bleach my teeth?
What are the likely causes of tooth discolouration?
Why is it important to know the likely causes of tooth discolouration?
How are surface stains treated?
What are “conventional” whitening toothpastes and how do they work?
What is tooth lightening?
How are internal stains treated?
Are there issues with oxygen-based bleaching methods?
Are peroxides safe to use?
What are advanced formula whitening toothpastes and how do they work?
Paint-on whitening treatments
Adhesive strips
“Home tray vital bleaching”
“Power bleaching”
How effective is home bleaching in whitening the teeth?
Is home bleaching safe?
What is home bleaching?
Are bleaching toothpastes very effective?
How long does the bleaching last?
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