Is it okay to use whitening toothpaste?

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#1 Post by b » Thu Jan 07, 2010 2:46 pm

I didnt think I was using whitening toothpaste till today I looked closely at my sensitive toothpaste and it does also have whitening. Does this really make a big difference? I can see it maybe making a bit of difference closer to end of treatment.. Anyone have more information or experienced problems using whitening toothpaste and having yellow squares after treatment?

#2 Post by **Snowglobe32** » Sun Jan 10, 2010 12:44 pm

I have only been told not to use it. The whitening that comes with each brushing, builds up over time and it can cause the teeth covered by the brackets to not be as white once the brackets are off. I was shown pictures at the ortho's office. But again, every case is different.

#3 Post by **4113n** » Sun Jan 10, 2010 6:36 pm

I've never been told not to use it, i used 1 or 2 tubes during my 2.5 year treatment. My teeth are evenly coloured xD.

#4 Post by **tdove** » Thu Feb 25, 2010 8:02 pm

I went in for a cleaning today. The hygienist basically most whitening tooth pastes just keep the stains down, they are grittier than other tooth pastes but do not really whiten.

#5 Post by **BracketRacket** » Thu Feb 25, 2010 11:03 pm

Whitening toothpastes just keep stains down, on the surface...they don't actually "whiten" like a professional treatment does. That said, I'd ask your ortho...I don't think you'll do any harm, but why chance it.

#6 Post by **jadestar** » Tue May 18, 2010 2:01 pm

I drink a lot tea throughout the day so I prefer a "whitening" toothpaste. I use Crest Baking Soda and Peroxide-it claims to naturally lift stains. I don't really consider this a whitening toothpaste but I like that it keeps the tea stains away.

#7 Post by **KatieGee** » Wed May 26, 2010 2:44 pm

I just got braced yesterday and I was told that I could use any kind of fluoride toothpaste so long as it wasn't a whitening product. I didn't think to ask why. I'll ask the next time I'm there.

#8 Post by **chloerae** » Sun Jun 27, 2010 11:40 pm

I was told not to use whitening anything because when the braces come off there could be a difference in surface color where the brackets were & were not. I am sticking with a flouride toothpaste without whitening for the day and then at night I was prescribed a high concentrated sodium flouride toothpaste. I'd rather my teeth/enamel be strong & healthy during treatment. I decided I will save $5 a week during my ortho treatment so that at the end I can get a fancy whitening from the dentist for my new smile! I can't wait!!

#9 Post by **Meemoo** » Mon Jun 28, 2010 1:38 am

My ortho prefers me not to use whitening toothpaste. He said something about it being a little more abrasive than the regular stuff.

#10 Post by **epj0819** » Sun Jul 11, 2010 9:50 pm

I used whitening toothpaste for a while at first (not intentionally, it was Crest Pro Health, which has whitening ingredients along with other "health benefits"). I really liked it, but my ortho discouraged me from using it. He pointed out how it just took the color right out of my ligs and told me that, when the brackets came off, I would have teeth that were two different colors. Now I just use plain Crest Cavitity Prevention, which is great too (no whitening).

#11 Post by **catgyrl** » Fri Jul 23, 2010 9:53 pm

I just had my brackets changed from metal to clear, and I've been using Colgate Whitening with Baking Soda and Peroxide for the past few months since I got braced. When the brackets and bonding came off, and I rinsed and looked in the mirror, there was no difference between the area that was under the bonding vs. the area around it. My ortho said that those toothpastes mainly keep the stains off (coffee, soda, etc.), and don't have enough "whitening" chemicals, or whatever, to actually whiten like the whitestrips and other professional methods do.

I compromise - I use the "whitening" morning and after lunch, and the prescription fluoride toothpaste at night.

#12 Post by **ashesgap** » Fri Jul 23, 2010 11:33 pm

Once a week i use the Crest Vivid White on a proxa brush, between all my brackets. Mostly because i feel like those spots are a bit yellow. I'm sure they aren't really yellow, and its not really helping, but it makes me feel better doing it.
Also my Crest Pro-Health has whitening...but i only just now noticed that.

#13 Post by **Wongohk** » Mon Aug 02, 2010 12:37 am

My orth told me not to use it, no reason was given. Just use normal toothpaste.

#14 Post by **sadpanda** » Sat Aug 28, 2010 5:26 pm

My ortho said I can use toothpaste with whitening in it because he said the whitener in toothpaste is not really strong enough to make a real difference in color when you get your braces off.