Over-the-counter cosmetic products are easily accessible.  You can go into a pharmacy or grocery store any time of the day and buy a product that promises results similar to a prescription product.
The problem is, they don’t always deliver on the results they promise.
Many over-the-counter products are extremely topical and only touch the surface.  They aren’t able to reach the actual cause of the problem.  While regular over-the-counter products like toothpaste, mouthwash and floss are fully effective, whitening products simply aren’t.  They often fail to deliver on the results they infer.
Whitening Toothpaste: Beware of the Phrase “Surface Stains”
Toothpaste that cleans and whitens is an amazing concept.  However, whitening toothpaste creates many expectations that are often unfulfilled.
When you look at the label of any whitening toothpaste, you’ll see some fine print.  Many people are often seduced by the sparkly packages and the hype, but they fail to see something very important on the package.  It’s an important detail in an eye-evading place that usually contains two words: “surface stains.”  The package will usually mention surface stains and the percentage of surface stains the toothpaste is capable of removing.
Now, don’t get us wrong, the removal of surface stains is great.  But it doesn’t solve the actual yellowing and discoloration problem.  The only thing over-the-counter whitening toothpaste does is remove what’s on top of the permanent discoloration that’s existed for years.
Whitening Mouth Wash: Why Whiten Your Whole Mouth?
Mouth wash with whitening formula is a fairly new product compared to whitening toothpaste, but it became popular fast.  The reason for its rising popularity is its convenience.  All you do is swish around some liquid in your mouth for 30 seconds and you’re done.
The problem with swishing around mouth wash is that is doesn’t target the teeth.  The liquid is affecting everything in your mouth including your gums and tongue.  The threat this often poses is sore gums, scarred gums and even burnt gums.  There have also been cases of people’s tongues becoming infected.  Especially with younger people, whitening mouth wash has a high rate of causing infections near the back of the throat.
Apart from side-effects, whitening mouthwash doesn’t do much in general.  Many people have the need to rinse their mouth out with water after using mouth wash.  This is a problem when using mouthwash with whitening.  Water dilutes the whitening compound and diminishes its supposed effect.
After exhausting over-the-counter options, people wanting white teeth discover it’s worth the money to take a new approach.  With the money you save from spending on over-the-counter whitening products, you could afford professional whitening.  For instance, many people in Texas who become tired of not seeing results come and see our San Antonio cosmetic dentists at Cosmetic Dental Associates.
As supporters of your oral health and general appearance, our team urges you to stop running around in circles at the pharmacy and look into cosmetic dentistry.  In addition to saving time, you may also save money in the long run.