Your Pearly White Teeth

With consumers' fondness for pearly white teeth, toothpaste makers created a wide selection of whitening toothpastes to choose from.

 The main component of whitening toothpastes is its abrasive system designed to remove surface stains caused by drinking coffee and smoking. Special ingredients - such as citrate, enzyme, peroxide, hexametaphosphate and pyrophosphate — are added that aid the breakdown of stains and prevention of reforming discoloration.

 New toothpastes that contain blue covarine create an optical illusion and improve whiteness after teeth-brushing. It usually takes two to four weeks to get the desired whiteness if used twice a day.

 Experts say that, in general, whitening toothpastes are safe for everyday use. However, they caution that too much use could harm the teeth’s hard enamel covering. To ensure safety, experts recommend looking for a product that is approved by highly regarded dental associations such as the American Dental Association Seal of Acceptance. They also recommend talking to a dentist if a person is not satisfied with the effect of whitening toothpaste.