Head into the toothpaste aisle of any pharmacy and you'll see many products claiming to be the best whitening toothpaste. But whitening products vary so much in active ingredients and benefits that making an informed choice can be difficult. Whether you just want a brighter smile or you've noticed that your teeth aren't as white as they used to be, understanding the difference between all of those whitening products can help you narrow down your choices
Active Ingredients
The biggest difference among teeth-whitening products is their active ingredient. There are two basic types of products that each use different key ingredients:
Whitening Toothpastes that Remove Surface Stains Surface-stain removers whiten teeth by using abrasive ingredients that essentially polish the teeth. They don't actually alter the colour of your teeth, but they can remove some of the discolouration. The Indian Dental Association suggests that tooth-whitening products or toothpaste with baking soda and peroxide are major contributors to teeth
sensitivity. If your teeth are uncomfortable or sensitive after toothbrushing with these products, stop using them.Bleaching Toothpastes and Whitening Gels For an even brighter smile, look for a whitening toothpaste that contains a bleaching agent such as hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. Both can bleach away dark stains to change the colour of the enamel to a brighter white. You may get faster results with a product that bleaches teeth rather than simply removing surface stains. .