A dentist has warned using whitening toothpaste in a bid to get brighter teeth may actually make them yellower and more likely to chip.
In a viral video that has now been watched more than 2million times, the oral health specialist told his TikTok followers that whitening toothpastes ‘do not actually whiten your teeth’.
While they can make your smile appear whiter at first by scrubbing away darker enamel, over time, the abrasive ingredients lead to thinner, more yellow, and sensitive teeth, he said.
This is because eroding away protective tooth enamel exposes dentin — the main part of the tooth that has a yellow tint.
The dentist who goes by @rifkindental on TikTok , told his 593 followers that whitening toothpaste can damage your teeth
The post, shared by the account @rifkindental, made many social media users question what they should be doing instead of using whitening toothpaste.
One social media user asked: ‘So what do you recommend then?’
‘Don’t gate keep bestie,’ they added.
‘At this point, I’m pretty sure we’re all breathing wrong too,’ another added.
Others asked if whitening strips were any better.
But there are many risks to both whitening toothpastes and DIY whitening kits.
Some whitening toothpastes use surface stain removers that whiten the teeth by polishing your pearly whites.
This can remove discoloration caused by drinks or food using mild abrasives. It’s these abrasives which can damage your enamel.
Your enamel prevents your teeth from breaking or wearing down, therefore not having enough of it can make you more susceptible to cavities.
Dental decay is a big problem in the UK. About a third of adults (33 per cent) have tooth decay and three quarters have had a tooth extracted, according to the Oral Health Foundation.
Tooth decay is the destruction of the tooth caused by acids made by bacteria in dental plaque. Every time you have a sugary drink or food, it causes the bacteria in plaque to produce acid that attacks teeth.
But toothpaste brand Colgate insists toothpastes on the market for whitening are safe to use.
The company explains all toothpastes are graded on their abrasiveness using something called the Relative Dentin Abrasivity (RDA) score.
The American Dental Association (ADA) says that any toothpaste with an RDA below 250 is safe.
Most toothpastes on the market are below 200, meaning the risk of erosion is lower.
Other products contain bleaching ingredients that truly change the colour of your teeth.
However, according to UK law, only a qualified dentist is allowed to offer effective treatments to patients.
You should speak with your dentist before trying a whitening product as they can cause sensitivity.
It’s not just tooth whitening toothpastes that carry a risk, the NHS warns many DIY home teeth whitening kits can cause damage
Hydrogen peroxide is one bleaching agent used in over-the-counter whitening products and professional treatments.
However, over-the-counter items contain very low doses that are unlikely to make a difference to the colour of teeth.
The concentration of the bleaching agent is higher in whitening gels, strips and pens that are prescribed by a dentist.
Some beauty salons offer teeth whitening, but this is illegal if there’s no dental professional present, and it may put your oral health at risk.
Some of the risks include bleaching gel leaking onto your gums which can cause blistering and sensitivity.
