Stained or yellow teeth can make you appear far older than you actually are. They can also make you feel incredibly self-conscious and ashamed to smile, which should never be the case. Professional teeth whitening is a great way to brighten your smile, and you can maintain your pearly whites between procedures by using a whitening toothpaste regularly. If you’re looking for a dentist who specializes in general and cosmetic dentistry, turn to C.R. Sfeir D.D.S., General Dentistry in Lorain, OH, and read on to learn more about maintaining your smile.

The most effective whitening toothpastes typically contain one of three possible whitening agents. Mild abrasives, like calcium carbonate and hydrated aluminum oxide, help remove superficial surface stains every time you brush; hydrogen peroxide is a natural bleaching agent that is safe for regular use; and carbamide peroxide is a whitening agent that dissipates into hydrogen peroxide but produces noticeable results faster.

There are a lot of options to choose from in regard to whitening toothpastes that are safe for daily use, and your dentist can help you choose the right one for your specific needs. Dr. Sfeir typically recommends one of three toothpastes for whitening purposes: Colgate Total® Advanced Deep Clean, Tom’s of Maine Wicked Fresh!® Natural Toothpaste, or Crest® 3D White.

If you are trying to prevent stains in between whitening procedures, you can do so with Colgate Total or Tom’s of Maine. If you have not had a professional whitening procedure yet, Crest 3D White toothpaste will provide more noticeable results.

Whitening toothpastes are a great way to brighten your smile, but they can only whiten your teeth by a few shades. If you want to go more than one or two shades brighter, turn to a cosmetic dentist like C.R. Sfeir D.D.S., General Dentistry in Lorain, OH. Visit their website to learn more about this dentist office and call (440) 960-5200.