Quick Blog Summary
Whitening toothpaste can help remove surface stains and make teeth look slightly brighter, but it won’t change their natural shade or remove deep stains. Most people can use it daily, but those with sensitive teeth, thin enamel, or gum problems should choose a gentler option and watch for signs of irritation. Brushing gently with fluoride toothpaste and consulting a dentist when needed can help keep teeth healthy while maintaining a brighter smile.
Introduction
You’re walking down the toothpaste aisle and there’s a whole wall of boxes all making claims about giving you a brighter smile in a week. Some are ‘whitening’, some are ‘stain removal’ and a few are even going as far as to claim ‘professional results at home’. It’s very tempting to just pick the one with the biggest promise and start using it tonight. The question you might then have is – is a toothpaste that works that hard actually safe to use every day?
We get this question all the time at Contemporary Family Dentistry. People will come in and say they’ve been using a whitening paste for months and they’re wondering if it’s actually doing any damage. The answer in many cases is no, it’s not doing any damage and they can absolutely continue. In other cases we’ll see a little bit of wear or some sensitivity and that’s when we’ll tell them it’s time to stop. That’s what we tell them in plain speak.
What whitening toothpaste actually does
Most whitening toothpastes work on surface stains (the sort of stains that are on the surface of the enamel, typically from coffee, tea, red wine and smoking). Brushing will remove some of these, but whitening toothpastes do it a bit more by providing a bit more cleaning action.
The active ingredients are generally mild abrasives and occasionally a small amount of peroxide. The abrasives work by actually scrubbing the stains off. The peroxide works by breaking down the colour compounds so the tooth appears whiter. Neither of those things will actually alter the natural shade of your tooth from the inside. If your teeth are yellow as a result of your genetics or simply from age then a toothpaste won’t do much to that.
That’s a major source of disappointment. People expect a massive change and they get a very small one instead. A study referenced by the American Dental Association found that many whitening toothpastes produce only a very small change in shade over a period of several weeks which is precisely what we see in the clinic.
The American Dental Association explains that whitening toothpastes mainly remove surface stains, so they usually produce a gentle improvement rather than a dramatic change in tooth color.
The abrasion question
This is where most of the safety concern arises. Toothpaste has to have some abrasiveness to be effective at cleaning. Too much abrasiveness however can lead to the wearing down of enamel over time and expose the more yellow and more sensitive dentin layer underneath. The dentin is more yellow and more sensitive so wear and tear can lead to teeth looking darker and feeling worse.
Dentists measure abrasiveness via a figure called the Relative Dentin Abrasivity (RDA). The lower the number the milder the product. A lot of dentists will actually recommend you go for a toothpaste with a lower RDA if you have sensitivity, thin enamel or receding gums. The actual number on the tube isn’t that important really, it’s all about brushing gently and using the toothpaste as directed.
The issue is that not every package will list its RDA. That’s one of the reasons we tell patients to come to us and ask us which products they can trust rather than just trying to work it out from the front of the pack.
Peroxide and sensitivity
Some whitening toothpastes contain a very small amount of hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. In the quantities used in toothpaste these are generally regarded as safe for daily use. They can however be irritating to sensitive teeth and gums and some people do report a tingling or a burning sensation.
If your teeth are already sensitive to cold or to sweets then a whitening paste could well make that worse. Sensitivity is usually a sign of exposed dentin or thin enamel and brushing harder with an abrasive paste can actually exacerbate the problem over time.
As per the MouthHealthy site from the American Dental Association, anyone with tooth sensitivity should be looking for products specifically for sensitive teeth and should speak to their dentist prior to using a whitening product every day.
What the numbers tell us
Research and surveys give us a good picture of how people are using these products and what they can expect.
| Toothpaste type | Main purpose | Typical daily safety | Who should be careful |
| Regular fluoride toothpaste | Cavity prevention and basic cleaning | Very safe for most people | Few people need caution |
| Whitening toothpaste (abrasive) | Removes surface stains | Safe for most when used gently | People with sensitivity or thin enamel |
| Whitening toothpaste (peroxide) | Surface stain removal and mild lightening | Generally safe in toothpaste amounts | People with sensitive teeth or gum irritation |
| Sensitivity toothpaste | Calms nerve pain from exposed dentin | Very safe for daily use | Usually no caution needed |
| Charcoal toothpaste | Marketed for stain removal | Often abrasive and not well studied | Anyone with enamel concerns |
A few figures to put that in context: according to the CDC nearly half of American adults aged 30 and over have some form of gum disease. Brushing gently and consistently and seeing the dentist regularly is more important than ever. Fluoride is one of the most researched of all the cavity preventing ingredients so any toothpaste you’re using every day should still have it in it unless your dentist has advised otherwise.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that gum disease is common among adults, so choosing a daily toothpaste that cleans well without harming gums is a practical step for most people.
Who can usually use whitening toothpaste every day
Many healthy adults can use a whitening toothpaste on a daily basis without any problems at all. If your teeth are comfortable, your gums are in good health and you’re brushing gently with a soft bristle brush then a whitening paste is generally a perfectly reasonable option. You need to pay attention to how your mouth responds in the first few weeks.
Look for the ADA Seal of Acceptance on the box. That means the product has met the standards for safety and effectiveness. It doesn’t mean that it will necessarily whiten your teeth, but it does mean the company has demonstrated that their product works.
Used in this way, whitening toothpaste can be part of a very simple routine. Brush twice a day for about two minutes, floss once a day and see your dentist for regular cleanings. It works best as a maintenance step rather than a magic bullet.
When to stop or switch
Some signs that it’s time to change your approach are that your teeth start to ache when you’re drinking something cold, or that the sensitivity persists for longer than a few days. In that case, stop using the whitening paste for a while and switch to a sensitivity formula to see if the sensitivity goes away.
Watch your gums as well. Any redness, soreness or bleeding that persists is a good reason to book in. A whitening paste should never leave your mouth raw or burning.
You should also be on the lookout for your teeth looking progressively thinner at the edges and/or more yellow at the edges. That can be a sign of enamel wear. If that’s the case then you should discuss with your dentist the possibility of switching to a gentler paste and/or a better brushing technique.
Brushing technique matters as much as the paste
Even the mildest toothpaste can do damage if you’re too aggressive with it. A soft bristle brush and a slight angle to the gums is all that’s required. Just use small gentle circles rather than going back and forth in a sawing motion. Let the bristles do the work.
Replace your brush every 3 to 4 months as the bristles will wear and clean less effectively and can also irritate your gums. An electric brush with a pressure sensor can be of use if you’re someone who tends to brush too hard.
Don’t brush immediately after eating or drinking something acidic. The acid will have softened the enamel for a short time and brushing at that point can actually wear it away. Just wait about 30 minutes (or rinse with water first).
The American Dental Association recommends brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, which means any whitening product you choose should still support that daily habit rather than replace it.
Other ways to whiten safely
If your toothpaste isn’t quite delivering the result you’re after then there are other options. In-office professional whitening uses a much stronger formula under controlled conditions and we can advise you as to whether your teeth and gums are suitable for it. Take home trays made by a dentist use a lower concentration and are custom fitted to minimise any irritation.
Some stains just don’t respond to any toothpaste or any whitening gel. If you’ve got a deep stain inside the tooth then bonding or veneers may be the better option. We’ll always establish the cause of the stain before we recommend any treatment.
Diet and habits too. Drinking your coffee or wine through a straw, rinsing your mouth out with water after your dark drinks and giving up smoking all help to keep your teeth looking bright for much longer.
What to bring to your next visit
If you’re using a whitening toothpaste on a daily basis then bring the tube/box with you to your next appointment. We can have a look at the ingredients, check your enamel and gums and let you know whether it’s appropriate. Always mention any sensitivity however slight it may seem. Often the small things will present themselves before the bigger problems do.
It’s also useful to mention how long you’ve been using the product and whether you’ve noticed any change in shade at all. That enables us to decide whether we should stick with the same paste, move to a milder formula or recommend a different kind of whitening product.
Wrapping up
Whitening toothpastes can be perfectly safe to use every day for a lot of people. They will remove surface stains, they can whiten your teeth a bit and they work best if you go for one that has the ADA Seal and you brush gently. They’re not a solution for deep stains and certainly not a substitute for professional treatment.
If you’ve got sensitivity, thin enamel or gum issues then a milder toothpaste is usually the better option. You need to pay attention to how your teeth feel and you shouldn’t ignore any pain or irritation.
If you’re not sure which toothpaste is right for you, book in to see us. We’ll have a proper look at your teeth and gums, go through your individual requirements and help you establish a routine that works for you and keeps your smile bright and comfortable.
FAQs
Can I use whitening toothpaste every day for years?
Lots of people get on perfectly fine with it as long as it’s a gentle paste and you’re brushing quite gently. After many years of use a very abrasive product could actually wear down the enamel so it’s a good idea to have a check in with your dentist every six months and just ask them whether your toothpaste is still appropriate for your teeth.
Does whitening toothpaste remove fluoride?
The vast majority of whitening toothpastes still contain fluoride (which is essential for cavity prevention). Always check the label to confirm this. If a product doesn’t list fluoride then you should discuss it with your dentist before using it on a daily basis as fluoride is so important for the protection of your teeth.
Why do my teeth feel so sensitive after using the whitening toothpaste?
Sensitivity is very common when you’ve got thin enamel or when the dentin is showing. A whitening paste containing abrasives and/or peroxide can be very irritating in those situations. Try switching to a sensitivity formula for a few weeks and brush much more gently. If the sensitivity persists then obviously book in for a checkup so we can investigate the cause.
Is charcoal toothpaste any safer than whitening toothpaste?
Not necessarily. Charcoal toothpastes are generally quite abrasive and there’s very little research to suggest they actually whiten teeth or are gentle over the long term. They may well be fluoride free too. If you’re thinking of going down that route then you should definitely ask your dentist first.
How long does it take to see results from whitening toothpaste?
Results vary, but most people notice a small change after several weeks of consistent use. Surface stains lift more easily than deep ones. If you don’t see a difference after a couple of months, a professional option or a different treatment may give you better results.
