Out of all the different teeth whitening products, whitening toothpastes are just one kind. They are different than other teeth whitening products in that they usually do not contain any bleaching agent, but instead contain abrasive materials.
These abrasive materials function like sandpaper; they grind away at the teeth, removing any discoloring particles as they scrape. Abrasive materials are only so effective. If you have darker than normal teeth or desire a dramatic change, you will find that whitening toothpaste alone is insufficient for your needs.
Controversy
Many often wonder if whitening toothpaste has any merit. Their reasoning is as follows: fluoride toothpaste used to clean teeth does so through the use of abrasive materials, so there is little difference between them and whitening toothpastes.
Some whitening toothpaste has more abrasive material than regular toothpaste. However, when too much abrasive material is used, it can cause sensitive teeth and gums. One common abrasive material is baking soda, which is the best and most effective abrasive.
Baking soda
Compared to other abrasives, baking soda is arguably the most effective. However, you do not have to buy whitening toothpaste to enjoy its use; you can make your own baking soda toothpaste at home. Simply mix hydrogen peroxide with your baking soda and you have yourself one of the most effective teeth whiteners around. Hydrogen peroxide is a bleaching agent, so you will get the best of both types of whiteners with this concoction.
Rembrandt
Rembrandt toothpaste is available over the counter. It contains abrasive materials since it is a whitening toothpaste, but it is one of the least abrading of them. Therefore, this product is recommended for those with sensitive mouths.
Pearl White
Pearl White is often given after a teeth whitening procedure, such as laser teeth whitening, to be used to maintain the whitening achieved after the procedure. To use it, simply use a dry toothbrush (be sure your teeth are very dry as well) and brush in circles on the front of your front teeth. Brush for one minute each on the upper and lower set of teeth, and finish by rinsing the mouth with warm water. This does not replace fluoride toothpaste, however, and one must be used for regular cleaning afterwards.
This brand of toothpaste is much more effective than other over-the-counter whitening toothpastes, as its results are immediate and long lasting. Therefore, it is the top recommended teeth whitening toothpaste.
While whitening toothpaste definitely has its place in the world, users who have darker than normal teeth or users who seek a dramatic change in the color of their teeth should only use whitening toothpaste as a maintenance item, but should focus their efforts on a bleaching whitener to achieve the effect they desire.
Cody Scholberg, an expert on whitening methods, writes about ways to whiten your teeth, such as in-office teeth whitening.
great info for those of us who don’t know much about this