Daily Mail
Dazzling claims of the whitening toothpaste's
For those in search of a dazzling smile, expensive whitening toothpaste's and mouth rinses may seem like money well spent.
But the results could leave you distinctly down in the mouth, according to a panel of detail experts.
For despite costing up to five times as much as other pastes and rinses, the panel found little or no evidence to back the products claims.
Instead, the experts were concerned about harsh abrasive ingredients in some cases which may harm tooth enamel gums.
Whitening toothpastes have soared in popularity in recent years, fuelled by a growing desire for the perfect 'Hollywood' smile.
Stained teeth are often due to smoking or tea and coffee drinking, but illnesses such as hepatitis and certain prescription drugs can also turn teeth yellow.
Some whiteners physically rub away the discolouration, while others may use bleaching agents to chemically lighten the stain.
The manufacturers of 19 best-selling whitening pastes and products were asked by Health Which? To provide research to support their various claims that teeth were whiter and brighter after regular use. Three experts from leading UK dental hospitals then awarded each product a 'research rating'.
The best overall performer was Janina Opale Whitening toothpaste with 53 per cent. Colgate was given 7 per cent after declining to provide full details on its Whitening toothpaste with Micro-crystals, leaving the panel unable to assess properly its claim to work twice as well as ordinary pastes.
Macleans Whitening toothpaste, which is accredited by the British Dental Association, got one of the better scores but still only managed 37 per cent.
Pearl Drops Smokers' Whitening toothpaste scored zero for its research to support the claim that 'regular brushing will help leave teeth looking whiter and brighter'.
Asda's Project Whitening toothpaste claimed to whiten teeth over five times better than regular paste, but the dentists gave it only 10 per cent, saying the evidence was inconclusive.
Boots Advance White mouthwash claimed to provide continuous protection against stubborn stains.
But research to support the claim was based on using it in conjunction with Advance White toothpaste, leaving it with a score of just 7 per cent.
Three products got zero after failing to provide any research.
'So long as cleaning agents do not reduce fluoride effectiveness, "whitening" toothpastes are useful because they give people an additional reason for brushing regularly.'
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