Are you not getting whiter teeth with your fluoride toothpaste as promised in the advertisement? Unfortunately, you will not. Fluoride is a very protective agent against stains and cavities, but there isn’t much evidence about its relation to whitening your teeth.
If you want to know whether fluoride treatment can whiten your teeth and, if not, what other treatments are more effective, then read on further.
How Beneficial Is Fluoride For Your Teeth?
Fluoride is a non-metal that is responsible for protecting your teeth from cavities and decay. It helps in strengthening the outermost layer of your tooth (enamel). Since enamel is vulnerable to acid attack and bacterial invasion in your mouth, it erodes quite often.
Eventually, the weakening of the enamel leads to cavities. Fluoride acts as a very protective barrier for the enamel, especially when you use it in the early stages of cavities. A lot of the dental products, such as toothpastes, mouthwashes, and some dental procedures, require the use of fluoride, considering its protective function. In most cases, dentists provide a professional fluoride application for maximum protection.
Will Fluoride Whiten My Teeth?
Since fluoride is not a bleaching agent, it does not contribute to whitening the color of your teeth. It can be effective on very minor stains, but if you have severe discoloration and excessive staining, fluoride cannot be of much help.
While fluoride is very beneficial to protect your enamel, it is not a recommended agent for teeth whitening. In comparison to professional teeth whitening procedures, fluoride does not contain the active ingredients for whitening, such as hydrogen peroxide.
What Do Dentists Suggest For Teeth Whitening?
Dentists recommend teeth whitening treatment after taking a complete history, oral examination, and evaluation of the patient. They analyze the intensity of discoloration and staining and eventually decide on the treatment based on it.
Mild To Moderate Staining
Old school remedies, such as using baking soda, lemon juice, and vinegar on your teeth, may work, but they are not very advisable due to the risk they pose to the teeth. If your staining is very mild, then the dentist might recommend a fluoride toothpaste containing the required dosage.
Severe Staining
If over-the-counter products are not very beneficial, then the dentist may suggest a more professional whitening treatment. One such treatment is at-home teeth whitening. In this procedure, the dentist provides you with a specialised mouth tray that consists of a bleaching agent requiring you to place over your teeth.
Your dentist designs the custom tray after your oral evaluation and impression record of your teeth. Teeth whitening at home through custom-made kits by a dentist offers a professional method to get your desired whiter teeth.
The Sum Up
Regular use of fluoride-based oral products and professional fluoride application is very protective for your teeth. While fluoride is not a preferred treatment for teeth whitening, you can look for professional teeth bleaching treatments.
At White Arch Dental, you get personalized teeth whitening and high-quality dental treatments that promise to give you a healthy smile. Call us at (978) 772-6658 to get your appointment with our dental expert today.
