Dentists Warn of the Dangers of Tooth Whitening Toothpastes

Doctors have warned about the dangers of using certain types of toothpastes that manufacturers claim are designed for whitening teeth. Dr. Anna Sharanda and dentist Maxim Kobilov from the PerfectSmile Center for Cosmetic Dentistry indicate that some types of toothpaste marketed as beneficial for teeth whitening do not actually have this effect and can damage tooth enamel. The two doctors provide some recommendations for the correct use of these toothpastes. According to Dr. Sharanda, the pigment responsible for the color of teeth is not located on the surface, but within the crystalline structure of the teeth. She states, "The most that these toothpastes can offer is a slight whitening of the enamel, through the action of active oxygen and the removal of accumulated tartar on the teeth. So they do not give a bright result." Dr. Kobilov agrees with her on this matter, but believes that this slight effect is caused by the aggressive formulation of these toothpastes, which helps to remove deposits and pigments. He adds, "People who overuse these toothpastes can suffer from increased tooth sensitivity, pain, and enamel erosion." Therefore, they recommend using them intermittently.