Do whitening toothpastes work?

Whitening toothpastes usually make your teeth brighter, but not whiter. Most help to keep your teeth clean, which helps your teeth to look brighter and whiter. Stronger whitening toothpastes use abrasion to remove the outer layer of teeth and reveal a newer, whiter layer. However, the stronger whitening toothpastes may cause sensitivity and, over time, may cause your teeth to lose luster and shine. Other whitening toothpastes only help to prevent staining products from sticking to teeth.

Whitening toothpastes remove stains from teeth, which will help to brighten your smile. Unlike tooth whitening products that you can purchase over the counter or have applied by a dentist, whitening toothpastes do not contain bleach, which means they do not change the color of teeth. These special toothpastes contain abrasive materials that can help remove discolored spots on enamel, which is the tooth's protective coating.