Do Teeth-Whitening Products Work?

All toothpastes contain mild abrasives that help remove surface stains from your teeth. But you may get extra stain-fighting power with whitening toothpastes. These products contain additional chemicals that provide more effective stain removal.¹

But no amount of brushing will get rid of deeper tooth stains. For instance, teeth naturally tend to yellow with age. To attack these stubborn stains, you may want to consider a bleaching product.¹

Bleaching products typically involve wearing a mouthpiece that contains a peroxide gel. These systems can help brighten many stubborn stains after about two weeks of use. You can buy bleaching products over the counter or ask your dentist for recommendations.¹

¹“Oral Health Topics: Tooth Whitening Treatments Frequently Asked Questions.” American Dental Association, March 14, 2005. www.ada.org/2754.aspx Accessed 2010.