• News
  • Film and TV
  • Music
  • Tech
  • Features
  • Celebrity
  • Politics
  • Weird
  • Community
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
TikTok
YouTube
Submit Your Content
Dentist warns against the dangers of using ‘whitening’ toothpaste and how they can actually damage your teeth

Home> News> Health

Published 15:28 27 Aug 2024 GMT+1

Dentist warns against the dangers of using ‘whitening’ toothpaste and how they can actually damage your teeth

Turns out 'whitening' toothpaste might not be quite doing what it says on the tin

Poppy Bilderbeck

Poppy Bilderbeck

A dentist has revealed 'whitening' toothpaste may not actually be as beneficial for your teeth as it seems revealing some of the longer term effects.

If you hadn't already been put off from using teeth whitening products after watching what happened on Ross' date in season six episode eight of Friends, then you may want to take notice of a dentist's warning instead.

The problem

Rifkin dental in Yorktown Heights and Carmel, New York took to TikTok to share some enlightenment on so-called whitening toothpastes.

Advert

In a post shared last week, the account revealed an important 'dental lesson'.

It states: "Whitening toothpastes do NOT actually whiten your teeth. They just remove external stains by scrubbing away layers of enamel, which can make your teeth look whiter at first."

However, 'over time' your teeth will actually end up 'thinner' and 'more yellow' as a result. Oh and you'll have more 'sensitive teeth' too.

And it's not taken long for people to flood to the comments in despair.

One TikTok user said: "Oh my god it's always something," while another: "Can I not live in peace?"

Advert

A third commented: "At this point I'm pretty sure we're all breathing wrong too."

"So what do you recommend for teeth whitening instead?" a fourth questioned.

Thankfully, there are safe ways to use the type of toothpaste if you are after more dazzling gnashers without potential damage.

It's time to rethink how you're using whitening toothpaste (Getty Stock Images/ Microgen Images/ Science Photo Library)
It's time to rethink how you're using whitening toothpaste (Getty Stock Images/ Microgen Images/ Science Photo Library)

Potential solutions

Well, Health explains the 'best' whitening toothpaste contains ingredients such as bleaching agents 'hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide' which help to 'remove stains'.

Advert

Other whitening agents found in some whitening toothpastes can include 'antiredeposition agents, which prevent teeth discoloration after whitening,' alongside dyes to make teeth white and surface-active agents too.

The article notes it's generally safe to use' but it's about how frequently you use it which can end up being the main cause of problems.

However, hydrogen peroxide can be 'too harsh for sensitive teeth and gums' and if you do have a sensitive mouth, it's best to look for other options containing 'fluoride and potassium nitrate' which are more gentle.

There are alternatives, of course (Getty stock images)
There are alternatives, of course (Getty stock images)

Advert

It adds: "Whitening toothpaste is generally safe to use. However, if you use it for long periods, it may damage enamel and irritate your gums and teeth. Do not use whitening toothpaste more often than the label indicates—for example, once or twice daily for six weeks—or as a dentist advises."

Other options include getting professional whitening treatments at the dentist, using whitening trays or strips or painting 'whitening gels on your teeth'.

Or you can just try your best to prevent yellowing in the first place by reducing your coffee and tea intake - and apparently soy sauce too - washing your mouth soon after consuming, not smoking, brushing your teeth twice a day for two minutes and limiting super sugary food and drink.

Featured Image Credit: Getty/Sally Anscombe/Getty/Klaus Vedfelt

Topics: Beauty, Social Media, TikTok, Health, New York, Friends

Poppy Bilderbeck
Poppy Bilderbeck

Poppy Bilderbeck is a Senior Journalist at LADbible Group. She graduated from The University of Manchester in 2021 with a First in English Literature and Drama, where alongside her studies she was Editor-in-Chief of The Tab Manchester. Poppy is most comfortable when chatting about all things mental health, is proving a drama degree is far from useless by watching and reviewing as many TV shows and films as possible and is such a crisp fanatic the office has been forced to release them in batches.

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

3 hours ago
4 hours ago
5 hours ago
  • 3 hours ago

    'Fridge cigarette' trend explained as Gen Z ditches traditional smoke breaks

    The new trend is taking TikTok by storm

    News
  • 3 hours ago

    Doctor reveals what you should never do in bed as he explains best way to beat insomnia

    Dr. Matthew Walker has offered some tips to curb insomnia and scrub up on your bedtime habits

    News
  • 4 hours ago

    FBI issues urgent warning to 150,000,000 US iPhone users to delete this text as soon as it appears

    Attacks on iPhones and Androids have surged more than 700 percent this month

    News
  • 5 hours ago

    Surprising meaning behind people who keep waking up at the same time every night

    It's surprisingly common

    News
  • Doctor warns against common toilet habit which could lead to serious consequences
  • People have a new 'phobia' after terrifying simulation shows how tattoo guns actually work
  • Psychologist warns of new 'winter arc' trend that can be just as dangerous as 'raw dogging'
  • Doctor reacts to woman showing off her vapes in water jug that reveals how 'damaging' they are