Teeth whitening
Teeth whitening

In addition to fluoride, which helps prevent cavities, toothpastes contain another important component: the cleaning agent, some of which is specifically used for whiteness. Cleaning agents, also known as abrasive agents, must strike the right balance between cleaning action and respect for the enamel.
Teeth whitening
"All toothpastes contain cleaning agents at different concentration levels," says Dr. Christophe Lequart, dentist and UFSBD spokesperson. The purpose of abrasive agents is to clean the teeth and eliminate food residues, dental plaque and stains caused by food or tobacco. "There are two main abrasives: silica and bicarbonate," says the professional before adding: "The purpose of the silica is to eliminate plaque, which is important because if it is not removed it is calcifies and becomes tartar that only the dentist can remove.Bicarbonate is most often micro-pulsed.It eliminates staining on the surface of teeth due to diet and life habits.
Teeth whitening
Cleansing agents are essential in the composition of toothpastes and it turns out that some are sometimes abrasive. All the problem for the manufacturers is to find the right balance between cleaning power and respect for enamel.

The risks associated with whitening agents

Dr. Lequart warns against "some highly polishing toothpastes" with the abrasive effect (some so-called whitening toothpastes). The abrasiveness of an agent depends on its hardness, grain size and concentration. The higher these parameters are, the more the toothpaste will be abrasive and weakening for the dentition. There is a risk of wear and embrittlement of the enamel which, despite its hard appearance, is fragile. When the enamel is weakened, the tooth becomes "sensitive to the cold and to the heat.If the toothbrush used is also hard-bristled and you brush with a horizontal gesture that is too leaning, you may actually damage the tooth. 'E-mail." Clarifies Dr. Lequart. The teeth will then be more sensitive to cavities and infections.

[Teeth whitening]-Cleaning agents to favor?


Unfortunately, the consumer can not really know the concentration of cleaning agents and the abrasiveness (indicated by the abbreviation RDA for Relative Dentin Abrasion, followed by a number) of his toothpaste. The dental health professional explains: "the concentration of abrasives is not indicated on toothpastes, and manufacturers' claims of" low abrasiveness "should be relied upon, and these claims refer to standards. toothpastes for sensitive teeth are not very abrasive. "

[Teeth whitening]-What about whitening toothpastes


If there is a plethora of toothpastes with "whitening", "whiteness" and "brilliant smile" claims, you should know that these toothpastes are brightener rather than whitening. "All of these toothpastes do not change the natural color of the tooth, they will have a surface effect on food and lifestyle spots, but they will not change the color of the tooth. the recoloration. " In terms of whiteness toothpastes, there are two types of whitening toothpastes: whitening toothpastes that use optical brightening technology and whitening toothpastes that are more concentrated in abrasive agents. In all cases, whitening toothpastes sold in supermarkets and pharmacies comply with the regulations and are designed for daily use. There is indeed an ISO standard that measures the abrasiveness of a toothpaste thanks to the RDA (Relative Dentine Abrasivity). This index should not exceed 250 for daily use of toothpaste without risk for enamel.

[Teeth whitening]-Beware of homemade toothpastes


Dr. Lequart warns against homemade toothpaste. Indeed, under the guise of being natural and in order to control what is in their toothpaste some are tempted to make them themselves. These recipes are not without risks. "You have to be wary of home-made toothpastes made from charcoal and clay.The bicarbonate powder sold in pharmacies is also to be used with care.The granulometry of these products is important and if they are easier to remove. dental plaque, their abrasive effect is also important, you have to be very careful not to weaken the enamel ".

People with dental sensitivity should pay attention to whiteness toothpaste used. In this case, it is better to turn to toothpaste formulas "white teeth" called little abrasive. One of the paradoxical consequences is that once the enamel weakened by the too aggressive cleaning agents whitening toothpastes, the enamel then more easily fixes the colorations ...

Finally, we must remember that enamel is an inert element that once lost does not regenerate. Once damaged, the damage is irreversible. Hence the importance of taking care of it by adopting a healthy lifestyle and by not weakening it more with abrasive cleaning agents.

Teeth whitening - Whitening toothpaste, cleaning agents and enamel respect

Teeth whitening
Teeth whitening

In addition to fluoride, which helps prevent cavities, toothpastes contain another important component: the cleaning agent, some of which is specifically used for whiteness. Cleaning agents, also known as abrasive agents, must strike the right balance between cleaning action and respect for the enamel.
Teeth whitening
"All toothpastes contain cleaning agents at different concentration levels," says Dr. Christophe Lequart, dentist and UFSBD spokesperson. The purpose of abrasive agents is to clean the teeth and eliminate food residues, dental plaque and stains caused by food or tobacco. "There are two main abrasives: silica and bicarbonate," says the professional before adding: "The purpose of the silica is to eliminate plaque, which is important because if it is not removed it is calcifies and becomes tartar that only the dentist can remove.Bicarbonate is most often micro-pulsed.It eliminates staining on the surface of teeth due to diet and life habits.
Teeth whitening
Cleansing agents are essential in the composition of toothpastes and it turns out that some are sometimes abrasive. All the problem for the manufacturers is to find the right balance between cleaning power and respect for enamel.

The risks associated with whitening agents

Dr. Lequart warns against "some highly polishing toothpastes" with the abrasive effect (some so-called whitening toothpastes). The abrasiveness of an agent depends on its hardness, grain size and concentration. The higher these parameters are, the more the toothpaste will be abrasive and weakening for the dentition. There is a risk of wear and embrittlement of the enamel which, despite its hard appearance, is fragile. When the enamel is weakened, the tooth becomes "sensitive to the cold and to the heat.If the toothbrush used is also hard-bristled and you brush with a horizontal gesture that is too leaning, you may actually damage the tooth. 'E-mail." Clarifies Dr. Lequart. The teeth will then be more sensitive to cavities and infections.

[Teeth whitening]-Cleaning agents to favor?


Unfortunately, the consumer can not really know the concentration of cleaning agents and the abrasiveness (indicated by the abbreviation RDA for Relative Dentin Abrasion, followed by a number) of his toothpaste. The dental health professional explains: "the concentration of abrasives is not indicated on toothpastes, and manufacturers' claims of" low abrasiveness "should be relied upon, and these claims refer to standards. toothpastes for sensitive teeth are not very abrasive. "

[Teeth whitening]-What about whitening toothpastes


If there is a plethora of toothpastes with "whitening", "whiteness" and "brilliant smile" claims, you should know that these toothpastes are brightener rather than whitening. "All of these toothpastes do not change the natural color of the tooth, they will have a surface effect on food and lifestyle spots, but they will not change the color of the tooth. the recoloration. " In terms of whiteness toothpastes, there are two types of whitening toothpastes: whitening toothpastes that use optical brightening technology and whitening toothpastes that are more concentrated in abrasive agents. In all cases, whitening toothpastes sold in supermarkets and pharmacies comply with the regulations and are designed for daily use. There is indeed an ISO standard that measures the abrasiveness of a toothpaste thanks to the RDA (Relative Dentine Abrasivity). This index should not exceed 250 for daily use of toothpaste without risk for enamel.

[Teeth whitening]-Beware of homemade toothpastes


Dr. Lequart warns against homemade toothpaste. Indeed, under the guise of being natural and in order to control what is in their toothpaste some are tempted to make them themselves. These recipes are not without risks. "You have to be wary of home-made toothpastes made from charcoal and clay.The bicarbonate powder sold in pharmacies is also to be used with care.The granulometry of these products is important and if they are easier to remove. dental plaque, their abrasive effect is also important, you have to be very careful not to weaken the enamel ".

People with dental sensitivity should pay attention to whiteness toothpaste used. In this case, it is better to turn to toothpaste formulas "white teeth" called little abrasive. One of the paradoxical consequences is that once the enamel weakened by the too aggressive cleaning agents whitening toothpastes, the enamel then more easily fixes the colorations ...

Finally, we must remember that enamel is an inert element that once lost does not regenerate. Once damaged, the damage is irreversible. Hence the importance of taking care of it by adopting a healthy lifestyle and by not weakening it more with abrasive cleaning agents.