A longitudinal comparison of tooth whitening resulting from dentifrice use

The effect of twice-daily brushing with one of three different dentifrices (Arm & Hammer Dental Care(R), Arm & Hammer Dental Care(R)) Extra Whitening, Crest(R) on stain removal and tooth whitening was examined in 115 voluntee rs over a period of 12 weeks. The facial surfaces of 12 anterior teeth were assessed for stain using a published, modified version of a standard stain index. Whiteness was measured on teeth 8 and 9 using a single Vita(R) Lumi n-Vaccum Shade Guide for consistency. AL baseline, the mean facial stain sc ores were significantly higher (p < 0.05-0.01) for both Arm & Hammer dentif rices than for Crest. In addition, the tooth shades, as indicated by the st ain guide, specifically the b* values representing yellowness, were quantif ied using a Minolta spectrophotometer. Arm & Hammer Dental Care(R) Extra Wh itening formula was found to be significantly better than Crest at removing naturally occurring extrinsic stain. The difference between Arm & Hammer D ental Care(R) Extra Whitening and Crest became significant (p < 0.01) after two weeks of use, and remained intact during the balance of the study, ach ieving p values of 0.0002 for at least one of the three assessed parameters (rotal stain, proximal, and facial) at weeks 4 and 12. The study also foun d that Arm & Hammer Dental Care produced a significant increase in tooth wh iteness by week 12, whereas Crest showed no such increase at any time durin g the study. These results suggest that the two Arm & Hammer Baking Soda pr oducts are more effective in reducing stain and increasing whiteness than t he standard silica-based dentifrice. Their effectiveness is not related to abrasivity since they are less abrasive to tooth enamel than the silica-bas ed product tested.