Why is it that some of our favorite foods and beverages are the ones that cause stubborn stains on our teeth? For me, it’s coffee. Anyone who knows me knows I am a coffee lover. I usually drink less than a cup each morning, but if I don’t get it I’m just not as fun to be around in the mornings. I’m not a morning person at all, but my coffee definitely makes mornings better.
Some time ago, I began using toothpastes promising to whiten my teeth, hoping to lessen the staining effects of coffee. I started to notice my teeth were becoming extremely sensitive. I spoke to my dentist at the time, who informed me that the whitening toothpastes could be making the sensitivity of my teeth worse and recommended using a toothpaste for sensitive teeth instead. As I looked at the store for a toothpaste, I noticed that even some of the toothpaste options for sensitive teeth have whitening agents in them!
If you have had this same problem, I am excited to welcome Dr. Megan Chin, a Board-Certified Pediatric Dentist in Manhattan, with some answers for you on this topic!
[Image credit: Parkviewpeddent.com]
Whitening Toothpastes
Dr. Chin says:
Commercially available whitening toothpastes use abrasives, such as hydrated silica, to remove a small amount of the superficially stained outer enamel layer of your teeth. The brighter result comes from revealing a newer, cleaner layer enamel.
Chronic use of these harsh abrasives can cause or exacerbate sensitivity, and may even make your teeth more susceptible to staining in the future. Additionally, severe use of whitening toothpastes may even cause your teeth to appear less white over time if you expose your tooth’s underlying dentin, which is more yellow in color than surface enamel.
Not all whitening toothpastes have the same level of abrasiveness. Each toothpaste has a Relative Dentin Abrasive (RDA) score which measures the erosive capability of that toothpaste on teeth. In general, anything with an RDA above 100 is considered to be highly abrasive and toothpastes above 200 can even be potentially harmful.
Using this data, the least abrasive method to brighten your teeth is by brushing with plain baking soda (RDA 07). However, the lower the RDA, the less whitening effect it will have on your teeth.
Versus Bleaching
In-office whitening is different and uses bleaching chemicals to whiten. Bleaching achieves more profound effects because the chemicals reach the stains in the deeper layers of the enamel at once and create and oxidizing reaction to break up the stains.
Over-the-counter bleaching systems tend to contain similar but less-concentrated bleaching chemicals in them so they can achieve more mild whitening effects. Bleaching can cause some significant sensitivity, especially in patients with gum recession, eroded enamel and cavities.
Bleaching not recommended for children due to the fact that all their teeth and enamel have not developed yet which would increase tooth sensitivity. Thus the general rule of thumb is that I don’t recommend whitening until at least 15-16 years old and always AFTER braces come off.
Several measures can be taken to alleviate the sensitivity that can occur with tooth bleaching:
- fluoride regimens before bleaching,
- using varying strengths of bleach, and
- using take-home trays given to you by your dentist to whiten teeth slowly over time vs. a one-time application in the dental office.
Either way, a consult with the dentist will be necessary to determine if bleaching is right for you.
Popularity of Whitening and Cost
I asked Dr. Chin about the popularity of whitening services among her patients, and she said that about 75% of her patients above the age of 15 ask for this and have a chief complaint of wanting “whiter teeth.” A good number of them start the whitening but some stop due to the sensitivity or just lack of compliance.
Whitening services provided at Dr. Chin’s practice cost a patient from between $35 for a short term whitening pen (does not cause sensitivity) and $200 for take-home systems. *(Please note these prices are general for the New York City metro area. In-office sessions may be slightly more as well b/c they take up the doctor’s time. You will need to check with your dentist for quotes on these services in your area.)
In comparison, whitening services through my dentist, Dr. Misti Raman, of Irmo Smiles (Columbia, South Carolina area) cost a patient $325 for take home systems. Insurance plans usually do not cover cosmetic procedures, which is where supplemental dental discount plans can help you save money on these types of services. A 25% discount for cosmetic dental services, for example, would save Dr. Chin’s patients $50 on the take home whitening system. The discount available in South Carolina through the same plan is 20% and would save Dr. Raman’s patients $65 on the system.
(NOTE: The above cost/savings information is only provided as an example. Members would need to check the network of dentists to confirm which dentists are part of the network of over 75,000 nationwide before dental services are received.)
You can check out such a plan that will include your entire household for just $19.95 here or by calling 1-888-793-8417.
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Do you have any dental questions you would like to have answered in upcoming articles? Leave them in the comments section and we will see what we can do!
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About the Author
Adopted at age 2, grew up in the Charlotte, NC area. Obtained Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Appalachian State University. Loves being a Mom of two and taste-testing Chef John's culinary creations and sharing them with readers.
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the best over the counter teeth whitening products recently posted…the best over the counter teeth whitening products
I’ve tried at home whitening and it did cause sensitivity.. A lot great info that I really needed to know about when it comes to our teeth.
Tess recently posted…It’s time to party with Turbotax! #HAPPYYOUYEAR
Such a good question! My husband whitens his teeth, he’s never complained about sensitive teeth but I’ve never asked him directly.
Rosey recently posted…BayB Brand Bean Bag Chair
About 20 years ago I tried my first teeth whitening product. It made my teeth sensitive by the end of the recommended use. Over the years I have tried products here and there but just can’t deal with them. I firmly believe it was the cause to the enamel issue I have. My teeth are really sensitive now and I have to use the same tooth paste. Now, when I want whiter teeth, I go natural and old-fashioned with baking soda and peroxide.
Chrystal @ YUM eating recently posted…Vegan Avocado Breakfast Toast
Wow Chrystal! From the comments so far, this definitely seems to be the norm. It’s not cool at all to use a product that ends up causing long term problems for you.
oh wow, I didn’t know that. My husband is a fan of whitening products. I am sharing this with him
Ourfamilyworld (@OurFamilyWorld) recently posted…Best Apps to Find Amazing Money Tips & Savings
This is just what I needed to know - didn’t know that about toothpastes - thank you for interviewing Dr. Chin - and yes in CA the prices are much higher - I am a tea drinker so the stains do come - now I feel a bit more educated!
Donna Ward recently posted…Do You Need This Blogging Tip?
I haven’t ever had my teeth whitened because I have such issues with my teeth, I’m always in pain and I’m too scared to even try!
Jeanine recently posted…Food Storage has Never Been so EASY: Rubbermaid Easy Find Lids!
I bet it does make them far more sensitive, I’m glad mine are not too sensitive; must be pretty annoying!
I have to admit I normally stick to just having the shining / whitening treatment the hygienest offers, as an ex-smoker my teeth seem a lot whiter than they used to anyway.
It is quite worrying what some of these easy to buy products could be doing to your teeth.
Sarah Bailey recently posted…Win with Comedic
I have never been tempted by the stick on strips, it always sounds like a bad idea to put bleach on my teeth. I mean just say it out loud right? There are light treatments out there, not sure what the cost is but sounds much better to me.
Lesley recently posted…What the Fat? Zujava Finally Paid Missing Earnings from 2014!
I didn’t realize commercial toothpastes used abrasives to remove enamel! I’m going to have to be cautious now!
Liz Mays recently posted…Discover Deals | Cold Weather Shopping
I have tried at home teeth whitening but couldn’t deal with how sensitive it made my teeth. I know many people who have had success with brushing with baking soda.
This is great information. I’ve been debating whether to whiten my teeth and this will help me decide.
Lois Alter Mark recently posted…jenny craig week 4.5
Oh, good, Lois! I’m glad it is helpful. The short term pen option doesn’t sound so bad to me to give a try possibly for really special occasions but I don’t think I would consider it really worth the risk since I have already had issues with sensitive teeth from whitening products. It’s a personal decision I guess those interested in whitening have to make with information like this and the help of their dentist!
Interesting info. I was just at the dentist last week…grrr…
Kristen from The Road to Domestication recently posted…The Red Carpet Treatment!
I’ve heard of using baking soda to whiten teeth, as well as peroxide. I would like whiter teeth, but the most I do is use whitening toothpaste. I’m hoping that I can get with my dentist and ask how I can have them looking a little more white without being so harsh on my teeth.
Great post. My teeth are sensitive. I use a whitening toothpaste, and I brush my teeth a LOT more than normal. I never would have linked the two together.
Life As A Convert recently posted…Ravished – Cover Reveal (Ayden K. Morgen)
What causes teeth to sometimes chip so easily? My front tooth has a little chip that happened for no explained reason.
You should really talk to your oral care provider to make these decisions. Everything in excess may be harmful
coolchillmom recently posted…Celebrate Chinese New Year With DIY Paper Hats – Part 2B Crafts
I have had my teeth whitened and can personally attest to the fact that it DOES make your teeth MUCH more sensitive. It was almost not worth it.