The oral cavity is the beginning of our entire digestive system. Therefore, the health of internal organs directly depends on the health of teeth. With poor nutrition and poor oral care, our teeth can become covered with unattractive and very harmful plaque. What’s most offensive: even good hygiene will not save your teeth from the hated yellowness. However, we have found a solution that will help maintain the natural whiteness of your teeth and restore your beautiful smile. This is a whitening toothpaste. But it's not that simple. Let's look at how whitening toothpastes work, how they can be used, and why some of them can be dangerous to your health. The dentist-therapist answered our questions Elena Bobkova.
What is the abrasiveness of toothpaste?
Dental cleaning products contain abrasives that provide the following functions:
- lightening the shade of enamel;
- reducing the density of stones;
- strengthening the surface of the teeth.
Each product contains a different amount of abrasives. In order not to harm the teeth, they should be no more than 100 units. Cleansers soften the stones, but not enough to completely remove them. Therefore, it is recommended to periodically visit your dentist for professional cleaning.
Abrasives are recommended for polishing the surface of teeth. Enzymes that settle on the surface of the teeth during chewing of food are eliminated. Therefore, no damage to the enamel occurs.
What requirements must be met?
To achieve a quick effect and prevent damage to the enamel and oral mucosa, it is necessary to use high-quality toothpastes.
To actually whiten your teeth and not harm them, toothpastes must have certificates and meet the following list of requirements:
- The consistency of the paste should be homogeneous and viscous
Contain whitening and polishing components in the structure.
- Possess high cleansing properties.
- High deodorizing and refreshing effect.
- Do not contain harmful components that provoke the development of allergies or the growth and reproduction of microorganisms.
- Strictly observe the concentration of the constituent components according to the recipe.
- The consistency of the paste should be homogeneous and viscous.
- It is mandatory to contain antiseptic preservatives to ensure the microbiological purity of the paste.
- Maintain the recommended pH value of no more than 10.5.
Advantages and disadvantages of abrasive toothpastes
The presence of abrasives in toothpaste produces the following positive effects for humans:
- instant results;
- lightening of enamel up to 2 tones, which helps lighten teeth when smoking or privately drinking caffeine;
- safety for humans when applied correctly and after reading the instructions for use;
- affordable prices, lower than professional whitening;
- less harm compared to professional whitening.
Abrasive particles cause the following harm:
- thinning of the surface of the teeth;
- risk of microcracks in enamel;
- no effect when purchasing products with a low content of abrasive particles.
Not recommended!
If a person has a lot of fillings in their mouth, a product with abrasive particles is not recommended because the color of adjacent teeth will be different. The product cannot make the filling lighter.
Precautionary measures
Safety Tips:
- It is recommended to use a soft bristle toothbrush
When using toothpastes containing carbamide peroxide, it is necessary to take into account the concentration of the main substance. Their uncontrolled use contributes to the development of enamel destruction and allergies. After completing the course, it is recommended to use toothpaste containing calcium.
- If a paste with abrasive-polishing components is used, their concentration should be taken into account. An increased content of RDA destroys the outer protective shell of the crown of the teeth, damages dentin and develops dental hyperesthesia. Prohibited for use by children under 12 years of age.
- Uncontrolled use of enzyme-containing pastes that break down plaque leads to thinning of the enamel and discoloration of the filling. It is recommended to use a toothbrush with soft bristles.
RDA index of toothpastes: table
Abrasiveness is determined depending on the rda index. They are listed in the table.
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| Index rda | Description |
| Up to 50 units | Daily care to prevent enamel thinning |
| Up to 80 units | Gentle cleansing, suitable for all ages, long-term use because there is no therapeutic effect |
| 80-100 units | It is used for medicinal purposes, so it is applied in courses with breaks between them. |
| 100 units or more | Aggressive influence at the sites of application, stones are eliminated, the enamel is lightened, but there is a high risk of destruction of its surface with frequent application |
Attention! To prevent negative effects on teeth, the product is applied only as prescribed by the dentist.
Preventive measures
After undergoing teeth whitening using special pastes, the following preventive measures should be observed:
- Rinse teeth with solutions containing calcium glycerophosphate and sodium fluoride.
- Maintain good oral hygiene every day.
- Limit the consumption of hot and cold drinks, as well as foods with natural and synthetic dyes.
- Before the procedure, you should undergo a complete sanitation of the oral cavity.
- Quit the bad habit of smoking tobacco products.
- Systematically repeat the course every quarter.
List of abrasive toothpastes
List of products without abrasive components and of high quality.
- Lacalut White. The composition includes silicon dioxide, sodium, potassium hydroxide. The product removes plaque and stone, not aggressively, but gently. Rda coefficient 100 units.
- President White Plus. Contains silicon dioxide, calcium glycerophosphate, fluorine. Rda 200 units. The effect appears during the day, the enamel brightens.
- Silca artic white. Rda 80 units. Abrasives are applied to the teeth, softening and removing plaque. They do not destroy tissue. With prolonged application, the enamel becomes lighter.
- Rembrandt anti-tobacco. Rda 110 units. Gently cleanses, removes plaque, brightens teeth when smoking and drinking coffee.
- Rocs pro freshmint. Rda 139 units. Protection against caries, relieving inflammation, eliminating dark spots on enamel.
- Splat whitening. Rda 90 units. High fluoride content, which strengthens teeth and prevents plaque accumulation and the formation of stones.
Not recommended!
Before purchasing, the condition of the teeth is taken into account. If they are susceptible to damage, the listed products are not recommended.
Editor's Choice
| #1 | #2 | #3 |
| Himalaya toothpaste | Anti-plaque paste with vanilla and mint Powersmile | Peppermint paste PowerSmile |
Himalaya toothpaste The product is manufactured by the Himalaya brand, an expert in herbal cosmetics and hygiene products from India, which has been present on the market for 90 years. The paste contains no fluorides, SLS, gluten, carrageenans or other chemical ingredients.
The product is intended for comprehensive oral care: whitens enamel, freshens breath and helps remove plaque. This is achieved through a herbal formula that includes papaya and pineapple enzymes, mint extracts, pomegranate fruits, neem leaves and other natural ingredients.
In addition, the paste fights bacteria, relieves inflammation and tones. Natural whiteness and shine of teeth is quite possible with Himalaya.
To learn more
Anti-plaque paste with vanilla and mint Powersmile Jason Natural is a brand from the USA that has been producing effective and environmentally friendly, and therefore safe, products since 1959.
Raw materials, equipment and technologies meet the highest standards. The paste does not contain fluorine, sulfates, parabens, gluten, GMOs, artificial colors and raw materials of animal origin.
Calcium and soda gently lighten the enamel and help keep teeth strong, grapefruit and perilla seed extracts neutralize the effects of sugar, vanilla and mint oils give a long-lasting feeling of freshness. Regular use prevents the formation of plaque and tartar.
To learn more
Peppermint Paste PowerSmile The American company Jason Natural has been creating safe cosmetics and hygiene products for over 60 years. PowerSmile toothpaste is free of fluoride, gluten, SLS and other harmful synthetic ingredients, and is Leaping Bunny Certified not tested on animals.
The paste contains the following herbal ingredients: peppermint oil, aloe juice, bamboo powder, parsley, grapefruit, perilla and stevia extracts. They help keep your smile healthy, gently whiten, protect enamel from damage, prevent the formation of plaque and tartar, and also provide minty freshness.
To learn more
Pros and cons of non-abrasive toothpastes
Before purchasing a product, it is recommended to look at the composition. If it contains no abrasives, it has the following positive aspects:
- no excessive impact on the enamel, preservation of integrity, prevention of microcracks;
- soft effect when removing plaque;
- content of microelements and vitamins that saturate the surface of the teeth;
- contains antibacterial agents that prevent the proliferation of microbes;
- Possibility of daily use without harm to health.
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Non-abrasive pastes have disadvantages:
- no whitening effect;
- there is no way to remove stains on enamel after cigarettes and coffee;
- lack of therapeutic effect for thinning enamel, inflammation of the gums.
Additional Information!
If the paste contains grain, plaque is cleaned without the use of abrasive components.
Classification
All whitening pastes are divided into two main types:
- Removing pigment on enamel. Contains enzymes, abrasives and polishing agents. They promote easy removal of plaque from the enamel surface and lightening of age spots.
- Lightening pigment inside the enamel. The active ingredient in such pastes is carbamide peroxide. It is contained in a minimal concentration, but the quality of whitening is not inferior to professional procedures. This component is able to act on the pigment through the inner layers of enamel, providing it.
Important! The quality of whitening depends not only on the paste, but also on the individual physiological characteristics of each person.
The systematic use of whitening pastes allows you to lighten tooth enamel by several tones. The gentle effect of their active components eliminates mechanical and chemical damage to the integrity of the enamel and oral mucosa.
Non-abrasive toothpaste: list
Dentists recommend a list of non-abrasive toothpastes that improve the quality of teeth.
- Safety suitable for children and adults. The composition includes plant extracts that eliminate inflammation.
- Parodontax. Apply daily, which improves hygiene indicators. Contains microelements that improve the quality of the tooth surface. Antiseptic substances destroy bacteria.
- Prevention and treatment of gum inflammation. It is used from the age of 12. The contained microelements heal wounds and microcracks in the gums.
- Splat Professional Ultracomplex. The composition includes plant components with a regenerating, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory effect. The risk of hypersensitivity to the components of the product and damage to dental tissue is reduced.
- Biorepair intensive night. Natural components restore enamel, eliminating the negative effects of bacteria overnight. In the morning there is no unpleasant smell or accumulation of plaque.
When choosing a toothpaste for daily application, read the indicated composition. It may contain abrasive ingredients that are not suitable for all users. They are used for a whitening effect and strengthening enamel.
Reviews
There are reviews online about which whitening paste is better:
Elena, 35 years old. I constantly use White Glo toothpaste. The result is positive: the teeth are snow-white, hyperesthesia does not appear. It has a pleasant mint taste and is affordable.
Arkady, 42 years old. I regularly brush my teeth with Rembrandt toothpaste. I chose a product for smokers and did not regret it. It allowed me to clean my teeth of brown plaque and tartar. Now their formation is much slower. The gums do not become inflamed or bleed. The breath became fresher.
Ivan Petrovich, 38 years old. In my professional work, I often recommend using Silca Arctic White paste after clinical cleansing. It consolidates the resulting effect and restores the structure of tooth enamel.
Popular products for sensitive enamel and gums
What should those who have gum problems, such as bleeding, do? The best solution is to contact a dentist, who will select the optimal products. But you can also purchase the most gentle and safe formulations that promise to lighten and strengthen the enamel, as well as anti-inflammatory therapy for the gums.
This is interesting! According to [1] some studies, people’s choice in favor of a particular paste in 36% of cases is based on reviews from social networks, in 32% on advertising. About 32% of respondents pay attention to packaging design and only 12% of patients follow the recommendations of their doctor.
There are many options: Parodontax “Comprehensive Protection”, Dentissimo Gold Advanced Whitening, ROCS Sensitive, Medical Minerals or “Active Calcium”, Miradent Mirawhite gelee, Himalaya Herbals Sparkly White, Crest Pro-Health Sensitive, Vitex Black clean “Whitening + Gum Protection” , Biorepair Pro White, Asepta Plus “Gentle Whitening”, Natura Siberica “Pearl of Siberia”, Sensodyne F.
The listed products contain natural and herbal ingredients, fruit and mint extracts, pharmaceutical herbs (for example, chamomile).
PresiDENT Smokers
This is a product from Italy, and the manufacturer positions it as a paste for smokers with the safest elements in its composition: lime, parsley, bamboo charcoal, etc. But the product also copes well with other types of contaminants, such as coffee stains or fatty food residues.
The presence of a solid concentration of fluoride allows you to properly protect the enamel from residual elements of resins, drinks or food. Users in their reviews note that after using this paste, teeth become a couple of shades lighter.
Of course, its use will not give the effect of professional cleaning, which is carried out by dentists, but a positive result is noticeable already on the second or third day of use.
It is also worth noting that there are no abrasive elements in the composition, so the paste is suitable for people with sensitive teeth. Users also note freshness in the mouth after use, which is especially important for sociable smokers.
Pros of pasta:
- Ideal for cleaning heavily soiled teeth;
- the positive effect is noticeable after the second day of use;
- pleasant aroma and freshness after use;
- natural and balanced composition;
- no abrasive elements.
Minuses:
- it is difficult to find a product in Russia;
- a large number of fakes.
The approximate price of the paste is about 250 rubles.
