Daily Mail
Can you get white teeth in a tube?
A RECENT survey by the Consumer Association showed
that tooth whitening products were unlikely to do more than remove surface
stains such as tea, coffee and tobacco -and some of them may not even
do this very well. BONNIE ESTRIDGE asked testers to try eight different
whitening pastes for minimum of three weeks, while Dr Christopher Orr
of Dentics Cosmetic Dental Studios gives his professional verdict. We
give each a tooth rating -the more the better.
JANINA OPALE WHITENING TOOTHPASTE
(£8.95 for 50 ml). Whitening ingredients: Natural fruit enzymes
bromelaine and papain; tetrapotassium pyrophosphate, sodium hydroxide,
and urea peroxide.
TESTER'S VERDICT: A small improvement after three days
and considerably better after three weeks. Got rid of stains from moderate
smoking, two or three cups of coffee a day, and the occasional red wine.
It's expensive, but it did work.
DENTIST'S VERDICT: This product has been around for a
long time and many of my patients find it excellent. Its effectiveness
seems to come from the combination of enzymes it contains. These slow
down the build-up of 'pellicle' (the protein-containing layer of saliva
that forms on the teeth after brushing). Stains normally stick to the
pellicle layer. This whitening toothpaste is most effective when used
on a dry brush, as water dilutes the enzymes. (Score: 4 teeth)
DARPHIN DENBLAN
(£9.95 for 75ML). Whitening ingredients: Bromelain, papain, fennel, angelica.
TESTER'S VERDICT: Non-abrasive and good improvement after
just two weeks. Herbal ingredients give it a natural feel but it is expensive
for everyday use.
DENTIST'S VERDICT: Its effectiveness seems to come from
the combination of enzymes it contains. These slow down the build-up of
'pellicle' - the protein- containing layer of siliva that forms on the
teeth after brushing. Stains stick to the pellicle layer, so the inclusion
of bromelain and papain (enzymes from pineapple and papaya) should make
it effective. (3 teeth)
BEVERLY HILLS FORMULA NATURAL WHITE PROTECTION TOOTHPASTE
(£3.99 for 125ml). Whitening ingredients : Xylitol, triclosan, fluoride.
TESTER'S VERDICT: Teeth were only slightly stained but
there was no improvement by the end of three weeks. Taste and smell were
pleasant, but there seemed no difference between this and a normal toothpaste.
DENTIST'S VERDICT: The 'active' ingredients listed by
the manufacturer were xylitol, triclosan and fluoride. Xylitol is a wood
sugar that will sweeten without damaging the teeth and triclosan is an
anti-bacterial agent, good against gum problems but not useful in whitening.
Fluoride strengthens teeth but will not whiten them. Unless there is a
secret ingredient unlisted, I'm not surprised by the results. (1 tooth)
MACLEANS WHITENING TOOTHPASTE
(£3.15 for 100ml). Whitening ingredients: Aqua hydrated silica (sand abrasive),
sorbitol, pentasodium trphosphate.
TESTER'S VERDICT: Teeth were seriously stained by red
wine, tea and smoking. Improvement after one week and real difference
after three weeks. The overall appearance of the teeth stayed considerably
brighter and the stains had gone. Felt gentle and non-abrasive. Useful
as an everyday toothpaste.
DENTIST'S VERDICT: This less expensive product was shown
to be very effective in a British Dental Journal study last year, and
many of my patients have had excellent results with this. Aqua hydrated
silica (sand abrasive) gently 'rubs' the surface of the tooth, while pentasodium
triphosphate chemically alters the stains so they are less able to stick
to the teeth. Sorbital simply adds a sweet taste without harming the teeth.
(5 teeth)
COLGATE WHITENING TOOTHPASTE WITH MICROCRYSTALS
(£2.49 for 100ml). Whitening ingredients: Sodium fluoride, hydrated
silica (sand abrasive).
TESTER'S VERDICT: teeth were not badly stained but years
of tea drinking meant they were quite yellow. Very slight improvement
after a week, but that was all. Disappointing.
DENTIST'S VERDICT: In the Consumers Association report,
Colgate declined to send any research reports, saying this information
was confidential. The manufacturers say it contains sodium fluoride (which
strengthens teeth but will not whiten) and hydrated silica ( which physically
'rubs' the surface of the tooth to remove stains). Some of my patients
have had good results with this product, but others have been disappointed.
(2 teeth)
PEARL DROPS SMOKERS WHITENING TOOTHPASTE
(£5.99 for 100ml). Whitening ingredients: Calcium pyrophosphate
and aluminium hydroxide (abrasive).
TESTER'S VERDICT: Promoted as a smoker's toothpaste but
failed to get rid of smoking stains, even after three weeks. Tasted quite
pleasant though.
DENTIST'S VERDICT: This has been around for many years
and some of my heavy smoking patients find that it is actually very good.
However, its active ingredients, as listed above, are quite abrasive agents,
which is useful if you're getting lot of stain build-up, but probably
not if you do not smoke heavily.
ASDA PROTECT WHITENING TOOTHPASTE
(£1.58 for 100ml) Whitening ingredients: Contains Priclagen and
triclosan.
TESTER'S VERDICT: Moderately effective and not at all
abrasive. Better used as an everyday toothpaste to prevent stains rather
than as an emergency measure to get rid of serious marks.
DENTIST'S VERDICT: This contains triclosan, an anti-bacterial
agent which will protect against gum disease but will not whiten the teeth.
Priclagen is a stain removing agent. (2 teeth)
BOOTS ADVANCED TOTALCARE WHITENING PASTE
(£5.99 for 75ml). Whitening ingredients: Sodium citrate, sodium
lauryl sulphate, disodium phosphate.
TESTER'S VERDICT: Slight improvement to tea-stained teeth
noticed after one week, but this did not progress to any real difference
after three. Gritty and unpleasant to use.
DENTIST'S VERDICT: The 'active ingredients' listed above
are directed at stopping stain build-ups so they are less able to stick
to the teeth, so someone who doesn't smoke or drink a lot of coffee may
not find it very useful. (1 tooth).
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