Teeth whitening toothpaste removes extrinsic staining (stains on the outside of your teeth caused by tea, coffee, smoking, etc.).
The name “teeth whitening toothpaste” is a bit misleading. It doesn’t really whiten or have any effect on the natural shade of your teeth but it may be effective at removing extrinsic staining or help restore the natural colour of your teeth. In that way it improves the overall appearance of your teeth. The whitening toothpaste may also help to maintain the result after professional teeth whitening procedure.
You should always ask your Dentist or Dental Nurse before you start using any whitening toothpaste. In some cases you may actually harm your teeth by using it – for example if you have acid erosion or gum recession. Many of these toothpastes are abrasive and contain tiny particles which remove staining by scratching the surface of your enamel. When overused it can remove the natural shine of your teeth and prolonged use can cause damage to enamel and dentine exposure. Once the enamel has been removed it does not grow back!