Charcoal, in some higher strength formulations, can also be too abrasive, which could wear down tooth enamel over time. Furthermore some charcoal toothpastes are also fluoride-free, which our experts would not recommend. Hydrated silica, mica and calcium carbonate

There are now a significant number of products that market themselves on their eco, vegan or sustainable credentials.Think about your needs. Many people – especially those who brush well – don’t need extra active ingredients apart from fluoride. If you have specific concerns around things such as whitening, sensitivity or enamel wear, see our ingredients guide (below) to understand the claims made about a particular toothpaste, and whether the evidence supports them.

The higher the hydrogen peroxide content, the more effective the toothpaste will be at whitening. Keep in mind that this could make the product more likely to irritate your teeth and gums. Vaz VTP, et al. (2019). Whitening toothpaste containing activated charcoal, blue covarine, hydrogen peroxide or microbeads: Which one is the most effective?

White and Shine

Toothpaste tablets that you chew aim to cut down on the plastic waste generated by toothpaste tubes. While it wasn't always the case, many toothpaste tubes are now recyclable, as they're manufactured from plastic alone, as opposed to a mix of plastic and metal. Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy. Charcoal whitening toothpaste has seen a huge rise in popularity, despite the Oral Health Foundation and our experts agreeing there’s not enough evidence to support claims around its whitening effect. Get your teeth looking squeaky clean with our range of toothpaste. Maintaining good dental health is essential and we’ve got everything from fluoride-free toothpaste to mouthwash, dental floss and more to keep your teeth in top shape. Whitening toothpaste can damage enamel if it’s overused or contains strong abrasives. Make sure to follow the directions for use. You can also look for a toothpaste that contains ingredients that protect enamel, such as stannous fluoride, sodium fluoride, or calcium phosphate. Is it safe to use whitening toothpaste daily?

However, not all kerbside council collections accept them, so you may need to drop them off at a Boots store or other collection point. See our full story on toothpaste tube recycling for more. Dentine sensitivity is believed to be caused by fluid moving up the tiny tubules connecting tooth dentine to the nerve. Temperature changes, pressure, or sweet or acidic food can influence the fluid’s movement. Unilever’s Regenerate Enamel Science Advanced toothpaste claims to regenerate enamel through the action of calcium silicate and sodium phosphate interacting with hydroxyapatite (what tooth enamel is made of).All will help with remineralisation and therefore, can be said to repair enamel. But manufacturers of enamel repair pastes are likely to base their claims around the particular formulation of their paste assisting with optimal uptake and absorption of the fluoride. Calcium silicate and sodium phosphate These are all mild abrasives that will help to clean and polish your teeth, removing surface stains. A toothpaste's level of abrasion is known as its RDA (relative dentin abrasivity). Most will have a fairly low level but whitening toothpastes can be more abrasive.

Joiner A. (2011). A silica toothpaste containing blue covarine: A new technological breakthrough in whitening. If you suffer from enamel erosion, talk to your dentist too. They may suggest alternatives, such as changing your diet or brushing technique, using fluoride mouthwashes separately to brushing, or professional application of fluoride varnish.Dantas AAR, et al. (2015). Can a bleaching toothpaste containing blue covarine demonstrate the same bleaching as conventional techniques? An in vitro, randomized and blinded study. https://post.healthline.com/wp-json/wp-offload-ses/v1/c/ZW1haWxfaWQ9MjA2NDYmZW1haWxfY2xpY2tfaWQ9MzE1MTUmZW1haWxfY2xpY2tfdXJsPWh0dHBzJTNBJTJGJTJGd3d3LmFkYS5vcmclMkZlbiUyRnNjaWVuY2UtcmVzZWFyY2glMkZhZGEtc2VhbC1vZi1hY2NlcHRhbmNlJTJGYWRhLXNlYWwtc2hvcHBpbmctbGlzdCZoYXNoPTIxYjdlNDVmMGJmMTY5MDUwMjJiZjk3MmQwMGM5NjU1ODliODY4OTRhODVjMDg2NmMwYjVmZTE1ZmEzNzE1M2E= When used correctly, whitening toothpaste can remove surface stains from teeth. Some also lessen intrinsic stains from within teeth. You can expect an effective whitening toothpaste to lighten teeth by two or three shades. Does whitening toothpaste damage enamel?