{"id":1188,"date":"2020-09-02T13:11:21","date_gmt":"2020-09-02T13:11:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.dentalcareireland.ie\/nidm\/?p=1188"},"modified":"2025-10-11T15:10:15","modified_gmt":"2025-10-11T15:10:15","slug":"does-whitening-toothpaste-work","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.dentalcareireland.ie\/nidm\/blog\/does-whitening-toothpaste-work\/","title":{"rendered":"Does Whitening Toothpaste Work?"},"content":{"rendered":"

One of the most common questions we’re asked here at Northumberland Dental Care is; does whitening toothpaste\u00a0<\/span>actually<\/span><\/em>\u00a0work? The answer is yes, and no.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Let me explain; there are two types of staining that affect the colour of your teeth:<\/span><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Intrinsic Staining<\/strong><\/li>\n
  2. Extrinsic Staining<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Therefore, yes – they can remove extrinsic staining but no – they will not remove intrinsic staining.<\/span><\/p>\n

    What is intrinsic staining?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

    Intrinsic staining happens internally and can be caused by a multitude of factors including; medication taken as a child, trauma or excessive fluoride consumption. As dentine is darker than enamel, as we age, we wear down enamel and expose more dentine; therefore, our teeth appear darker. This is why the neck of the tooth often looks darker as gum recession causes dentine to become exposed, giving the tooth a darker appearance.<\/span><\/p>\n

    The only way to remove intrinsic staining is by bleaching your teeth through professional products administered by your dentist containing safe levels of hydrogen or carbamide peroxide. In Ireland, the preferred method of peroxide-based tooth whitening is using custom made whitening trays, and laser tooth whitening is prohibited.<\/p>\n

    What is external staining?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

    External staining of teeth is typically caused by; smoking, drinking tea, coffee or red wine. It responds well to brushing with whitening toothpaste that contains ingredients to help remove stains, almost like an exfoliator. They will not change the underlying colour of your teeth.<\/p>\n

    What ingredients are typically found in whitening toothpaste?<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n