HEALTHY MOUTH, HEALTHY BODY

Let us discuss what actual whitening of the tooth structure is first. Teeth have pores just like your skin and we naturally take up organic stain from what we eat and drink every day. These stains can also reside under the enamel surface in the substructure called “dentin” which have tiny tubules in them. Coffee and cola are common tooth-staining culprits. Any food or beverage with dark tannins can result in tooth discoloration, including dark berries, fruit juices, and tomato-based sauces. Acid wear also thins the enamel and makes it more vulnerable to stain. The goal is always to keep the enamel strong and resistant to acid attack which can not only cause stain but also the start of cavities.

The only way to break these deep stains withing the teeth tubules apart is a process called oxidation. The oxygen molecules from the peroxide (hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide) interact with the stain compounds, breaking them apart and lightening their color. The peroxide needs to be at a certain percentage and/or be in contact with the tooth surface long enough to effectively whiten the teeth.

The toothpastes that label themselves “whitening” usually has little to no peroxide and therefore cannot oxidize the stains to whiten. Some have an asterisk disclaimer on the back of the tube (or even on the TV ads) that say, “removes surface stains”. That is essentially bait and switch to fool the customer into buying into the product. 

Those pastes are using harsh abrasives to scrub the stains away and only on the surface. The alarming part about this is it can scratch the enamel and possibly cause enamel loss plus more staining in the future!

Your teeth may even become sensitive and darker over time as the enamel is worn away and you start to see the darker dentin under the tooth showing through. Your smile may also lose its natural luster as well.  

Some mechanical abrasives are helpful to polish the tooth and remove plaque, but it is a delicate balance. There is a measurement called RDA that measures the abrasiveness of the toothpaste. Ideally it should be around 100 but most whitening pastes on the market are closer to 200! 

It’s more important to use a toothpaste that has hydroxyapatite and no harmful chemicals like saccharin, dyes, SLS, and titanium dioxide. Hydroxyapatite makes up 96% of your tooth enamel structure so your body easily recognizes it. The mineral fills in defects on the tooth surface making it more resistant to acid attack and to cavities. It also makes it more resistant to stains, helps reduce sensitivity, and can give the tooth a glossier “chrome plating effect”.  

The addition of vitamins like D3 and K2 are ideal to help with calcium uptake into the bones and teeth.

IntelliWHiTE’s brand new HAP 10+ Super Paste contains this. It also has organic olive oil in it which has been shown to have anti-bacterial properties. Xylitol is added to fight cavities and help with remineralizing the teeth. 

When you are looking to whiten use a separate professional grade peroxide “booster” to add to your toothpaste like IntelliWHiTE Ultra Boost which will gradually oxidize the stains. If you want a quicker whitening opt for the IntelliWHiTE Prostrips that are clinically proven to deliver 12 shades whiter and zero harm to the enamel studied at the University of Indiana.

I hope this information is illuminating for your smile and your health!!

Until next time!

For more information Dr. Jennifer Jablow,
visit DoctorJablow.com. You can send your questions or a subject you would like to see covered in a future story to docsmilez@gmail.com