Teeth Whitening – Brighten Your Smile

The majority of toothpastes contain an abrasive ingredient that helps to clean and polish teeth. However, whitening toothpastes have a higher concentration of these buffing agents, such as baking soda or silica, which work to remove surface stains, calculus and plaque, resulting in a brighter smile. While there are numerous whitening toothpastes on the market, it is important to note that most of them do not contain any whitening or bleaching agents. Rather, they rely on their abrasive nature to remove stains caused by factors like tobacco use or consumption of tea, coffee or red wine.

Chairperson, Dr Greg Miller, recently discussed the use of whitening toothpastes during an interview with Paul Gough on Mornings on ABC Radio. While he acknowledged their effectiveness, he also cautioned that their abrasiveness could potentially wear down enamel. It is important to be cautious when using these products and not to overuse them, as enamel erosion can lead to yellower teeth.

Achieving a brighter smile can also involve making changes to your diet and lifestyle. For example, avoiding teeth-staining foods and drinks like coffee, tea, red wine, and dark sodas can help prevent further staining. Quitting smoking or tobacco products can also prevent nicotine stains and reduce the risk of tooth decay and gum disease, which can harm the enamel.

It is recommended to seek professional dental care for teeth whitening to minimise the risks associated with the procedure.

To listen to the full interview, please click below.