Who doesn’t dream of white teeth? The same smile as George Clooney? Not TikTok anyway. The latest popular trends prove it, with the popularization of the latest beauty find: Marvis toothpaste. This product that promises “whiteness” even has its own hashtag #marvistoothpaste which currently has 10.5 million views on the Chinese platform. “I couldn’t go to Europe to try this famous toothpaste”, we can even read on the video of the TikToker smilespending, whose page is dedicated to oral advice. To find out if these products really allow you to avoid the expensive costs of tooth whitening, 20 minutes consulted dental surgeon Christiane Bonnat, expert at The Smilist, an oral care brand.
“Yes”, these products work to whiten teeth but their use must be exceptional
As an alternative to tooth whitening, “yes” these products work, says the dentist, but that does not mean they recommend them. Although they work, DIY recipes, such as baking soda with lemon, charcoal of vegetable origin, or certain whitening toothpastes, remain “abrasive” for the teeth, warns Christiane Bonnat. By using these products regularly, the whitening effect will certainly be observed, but your teeth will be weakened.
Indeed, the products mentioned are sometimes “stripping” or contain exfoliating powders, as is the case for Marvis toothpaste for example. In the long term, these ingredients will create microporosities in the enamel, which the dentist also calls “the shell of the tooth”. This first layer, with an average thickness of 1 to 2.5 mm, covers the second called dentin, which is yellow in color. And when the enamel is altered, we will see this much less flattering yellow color of the dentin, and there begins the vicious circle of tooth whitening.
“I do not at all recommend these methods which create a lot of dental sensitivity, pain and can alter the oral microbiota,” says the professional before continuing: “it should be the last resort”. Or, that of teeth that are already very tarnished due to poor dental hygiene or a diet that is too acidic or too sweet. Only in these cases does it tolerate the use of this type of product, but only sparingly. For a toothpaste like Marvis for example, that’s ten days of use per year.
The key to white teeth is “remineralization”
Most people only have superficial stains that do not require teeth whitening or the use of these abrasive products, explains the professional. The solution ? “Impeccable oral hygiene,” insists the dentist. That is to say, gentle brushing, twice a day, to limit the deposit of tartar which will tarnish the enamel. And a diet where we avoid foods that are too pigmented, sweet or acidic. To this, she also advises adding a natural serum based on hydroxyapatite, because the tooth is made up of 97% of it, but loses some over time. “Hydroxyapatite will remineralize the enamel and therefore increase the whitening effect,” explains the doctor.
However, for very damaged teeth, solutions such as tooth whitening or the use of certain products may be necessary. But before using anything, Christiane Bonnat advises first taking an inventory of your teeth with a professional to establish a real treatment plan.