I’m a dentist – here is why I urge my patients to avoid whitening toothpaste

If you find yourself reaching for a whitening toothpaste to improve your smile, think again as it could lead to irreversible damage.

Dr. James Martyniak, who is part of the team at Rifkin Dental in Carmel, New York, says whitening paste is largely ineffective.

He explains in a TikTok video: “Whitening toothpastes don’t actually whiten your teeth, they just remove external stains by scrubbing away layers of enamel, which can make your teeth look whiter initially.”

The dental expert warns that whitening toothpastes can actually cause damage over time, leading to ‘thinner, yellower and more sensitive teeth’.

Whitening toothpastes can potentially make your teeth thinner because they often contain more abrasives than regular toothpastes.

Colgate says all toothpastes are rated for their abrasiveness using something called the Relative Dentin Abrasivity (RDA) score, and the American Dental Association (ADA) sets an “upper limit” of an RDA score of 250.

However, anything above 101 is considered “very abrasive,” and scores between 151 and 250 are “extremely abrasive” and “considered a damaging limit.”

There are about 15 whitening toothpaste products that fall between scores 101 and 250.

In addition to abrasive toothpaste, some people may already be more susceptible to enamel damage than others because their diet and certain medical conditions can have an effect on tooth strength.

As your enamel wears away, the underlying dentin can become exposed. This is a hard tissue that makes up most of a tooth and is yellow in color.

For this reason, Dr. emphasized. Martyniak, whitening toothpastes can actually make your teeth appear yellower than white.

It can also cause your teeth to thin and the protective outer layer to wear away.

This, in turn, can increase the risk of cavities because bacteria can more easily enter and cause decay.

If your teeth become significantly thinner due to enamel erosion, they may eventually fall out.

When it comes to sensitivity, Indiana-based dentist Dr. Matthew Wittrig agrees that teeth whitening toothpastes can be irritating.

He explains why this happens: ‘When whitening toothpastes are used regularly, some patients experience increased tooth sensitivity, which can feel like a wave or jolt of pain in response to cold air or cold liquid.

Dr. James Martyniak, who is part of the team at Rifkin Dental in Carmel New York, says whitening paste is largely ineffective

‘While we don’t know exactly why whitening toothpaste increases sensitivity, the likely culprit is the peroxide that acts as the key ingredient to help whiten the tooth surface.

“The peroxide can irritate the nerve of the tooth, causing inflammation and irritation that contributes to symptoms such as tingling or cold sensitivity.”

In addition to making your teeth thinner, yellower and more sensitive, Dr. Wittrig says whitening toothpastes can also cause tissue damage around the gums.

He adds: ‘Whitening toothpastes with higher concentrations of peroxide can cause gum irritation and even tissue damage if used more often than the label recommends.

‘Gel whitening strips or trays can also cause chemical burns if the peroxide remains on oral tissue instead of the tooth for too long.

‘If you are going to use these products at home, be sure to wipe off excess bleach from your gums and oral tissues.

‘As with abrasive whitening toothpastes, the active ingredients such as baking soda may cause irritation in some patients. If you notice a reaction to whitening products, stop using them immediately.”

For those wanting to achieve a whiter smile, Dr. Wittrig recommends exploring professionally applied peroxide products such as gel trays or strips.

This is because dentist-administered teeth whiteners can “penetrate deeper into the tooth and reach stains in tooth enamel that over-the-counter whiteners cannot.”

And to prevent damage to enamel, Colgate advises: ‘Remember to always follow label instructions and not use your toothpaste more often than directed.

‘And for best results, combine your toothpaste with a soft-bristled toothbrush and use a gentle brushing technique – no hard scrubbing!’