Every morning before school, you check that your children have brushed their teeth to keep them looking shiny and clean. Now a dentist is warning that their toothbrush could be doing long-term harm.
Not all dentists share the same opinions about whitening toothpaste. While some say it’s OK if used correctly, that might not mean what you think it does, and other dentists warn against using it altogether, especially for children.
Whitening Toothpaste Can Be Abrasive
If you’ve ever scoured a surface clean, you know that abrasive tools and cleansers are effective for removing built-up or stuck-on substances and grime. This is as true for teeth as for pots and pans.
However, you also know some surfaces are more delicate and shouldn’t be cleaned by rough abrasion, harsh chemicals, or cleaners. You’d never use a steel wool pad on your non-stick skillet, and just reading the words may even make you cringe.
Unfortunately, teeth can be more delicate than we realize, and dentists are warning that whitening agents may be abrasives that wear off a layer of stained enamel to reveal a fresh white layer beneath. This may give a clean appearance, but over time, it can cause severe damage.
One Dentist Issues A Warning
With two locations in New York, Rifkin Dental joined TikTok this year, where various dentists in the practice drop videos giving advice about tooth care. Their first video focused on the biggest mistakes people make in brushing, beginning with brushing too hard — which we’ll come back to.
In one of their latest TikToks, the practice warns about the overuse of whitening toothpaste, which can damage teeth.
Rifkin Dental’s Warning
The newest video simply features a dentist prepping for a procedure. The following text is superimposed over the image and described as a “dental lesson.”
“Whitening toothpastes do NOT actually whiten your teeth. They remove external stains by scrubbing away layers of enamel, which can make your teeth look whiter at first. Over time, this leads to thinner, more yellow, and sensitive teeth.”
Many viewers aren’t happy about the warning and are complaining about the proliferation of warnings that one product or another could harm. However, there’s a body of evidence supporting Rifkin Dental’s warning.
A 2022 Meta-Analysis Finds Reason For Concern Regarding Whitening Toothpaste
Several studies have examined the effects of whitening toothpastes, but not all have reached the same conclusions about the harm they may potentially cause. When this happens, a meta-analysis can compare data from multiple studies and draw deeper conclusions.
Here’s what a meta-analysis in 2022 concluded after comparing data from multiple studies:
“Although whitening toothpastes typically can lighten tooth color by about one or two shades, there is some evidence to show that these toothpastes also affect the mineral content of teeth by increasing surface roughness and reducing microhardness. More evidence and further research are needed to identify the type of whitening agent which will whiten the tooth effectively while maintaining the integrity of the tooth structure.”
In short, there may be safe whitening agents, but it’s not fully clear at this point which ones they are.
Brushing Too Hard Is Part Of The Problem
Not all dentists take the same position as Rifkin Dental. For instance, Dr. Jared Harding, DDS, of Dentistry Of West Bend, in Iowa, says that using whitening toothpaste is okay as long as you’re not brushing too hard. He cites the American Dental Association’s view that “any toothpaste with an RDA score of 249 or below” is safe to use. However, he warns:
“Although enamel is the hardest tissue in the human body, it is still relatively delicate and can be damaged if you brush your teeth with too much pressure or with a toothbrush that has stiff bristles. Additionally, when you brush your teeth, do not apply too much pressure. The bristles of your toothbrush should glide easily over the surface of your teeth.”
Still, he advises checking the packaging to make sure you’re purchasing a product approved by the ADA.
What About Kids?
None of us wants to make the mistake of eroding tooth enamel since our second set of teeth need to last the rest of our lives. However, we should be especially cautious for our kids just getting permanent teeth.
Opinions mix on whether it’s okay to use a whitening toothpaste for kids, and some dentists say it’s okay if you choose one intended for kids and not adults. However, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) has taken a firmer stance, according to Kids Dental Online. They say:
“The research involving teeth whitening in children is insufficient to answer, therefore [the AAPD] cannot recommend teeth whitening treatments as safe for kids and teens under age 15.”
They further cite Pediatric Saftey’s recommendation to completely avoid whitening products until age 18.
What Should Kids Use Instead?
Dentists recommend using a fluoride toothpaste approved by the ADA, with only a pea-sized amount until age six.
Instead of whitening teeth, they suggest avoiding stains by limiting colas and dye-heavy drinks and foods, brushing regularly, and visiting a pediatric dentist for a cleaning every six months.
If you still need to use a whitening toothpaste, you should ask your pediatric dentist for recommendations on which one they recommend and how often to use it.