Extrinsic staining on the tooth surface can result from the diet, smoking, and poor oral hygiene. Extrinsic stain can be removed by mechanical means and by chemical means. The use of abrasives in toothpaste helps to remove stain mechanically during toothbrushing (St. John & White, 2015). All Crest dentifrice meets the International Standards Organization specifications for Relative Dentin Abrasivity (RDA), which has an upper limit of 250. Dentifrices at or below 250 RDA are considered safe and effective.
Chemical cleaning agents in the toothpaste can help to displace surface stains from the tooth pellicle (Figure 23). In addition, some chemical compounds have a high enough affinity for the tooth surface and pellicle to actually help prevent new stain from adhering. Polyphosphate molecules, such as sodium hexametaphosphate, that are used for calculus control have also been shown to both prevent stain and whiten teeth (Baig et al. 2005). Hydrogen peroxide is another highly effective antistain ingredient under appropriate formulation and usage conditions (Gerlach et al. 2015).
Figure 23. Binding of pyrophosphates to calcium hydroxyapatite at the tooth surface
Figure 24. Stain prevention and displacement
The stain prevention and whitening effects of many stabilized stannous fluoride formulations in Procter & Gamble’s portfolio are provided by an advanced, high cleaning silica system and sodium hexametaphosphate (polyphosphate). The high cleaning silica gently removes stain mechanically during brushing, while the sodium hexametaphosphate works chemically. The sodium hexametaphosphate provides for excellent stain removal and prevention (Baig et al. 2005; Terezhalmy et al. 2007):
- The sodium hexametaphosphate molecule is negatively charged while the calcium ions in the pellicle and enamel are positively charged. Since opposites attract, the polyphosphate is strongly attracted to these calcium sites.
- As a result of disruption of the pellicle, the stain that was attached to and trapped in it becomes displaced, released and lifted away from the tooth surface.
The 2-step stabilized stannous fluoride formula contains hydrogen peroxide in the second step to provide whitening by disruption of carbon bonds. Stain is composed of materials containing carbon bonds that reflect back only the wavelengths of light that appear colored. Hydrogen peroxide breaks the carbon bonds, so the stain then reflects back more wavelengths of light, making the stain appear white (Goldstein & Garber, 1995). The smooth texture stabilized stannous fluoride formula uses a combination of silica and zinc citrate for stain prevention. The silica gently removes surface stains while the zinc citrate indirectly protects against stains by preventing calcification of plaque into tartar, thereby reducing the surface area that can attract stains.
The following study summaries represent a sample of research demonstrating the anti-stain and extrinsic whitening benefits of stabilized stannous fluoride dentifrice.
Reference: He T, Baker R, Bartizek RD, et al. J Clin Dent. 2007;18(1):7-11.
In 2 studies, Crest® PRO-HEALTH™ demonstrated significant extrinsic stain removal vs baseline and comparable stain removal to the positive control dentifrice.
To compare stain removal of a dentifrice containing stabilized stannous fluoride and sodium hexametaphosphate to a positive control dentifrice in 2 independent, double-blind, randomized 6-week trials.
The following dentifrices were tested in each study:
Study 1. Lobene Composite Stain Score, Evaluable Subjects
Study 2. ILobene Composite Stain Score, Evaluable Subjects
Reference: L Friesen, T He, R. Eusebio. J Dent Res 2017; 96 (Spec Iss A): Abstract 1941.
Figure. Interproximal Modified Lobene Stain Scores per Group.
To assess the extrinsic stain removal benefit delivered by a SnF2 dentifrice and a positive control dentifrice over a two-week period.
- Experimental 0.454% stabilized stannous fluoride dentifrice (Crest® PRO-HEALTH™ Clean Mint [Smooth Formula], Procter & Gamble); or
- 0.243% sodium fluoride/0.3% triclosan positive control whitening dentifrice (Colgate® Total® Whitening, Colgate-Palmolive).
Stabilized SnF2 dentifrice has been shown to provide significant oral health benefits, including protection against caries, plaque, gingivitis and sensitivity.§ SnF2 formulations have also been developed to provide esthetic benefits consumers desire, including extrinsic stain removal. This high silica containing toothpaste is uniquely formulated to provide effective cleaning and surface stain removal.
‡ Friesen L, et al. Am J Dent 2016; 29:20-24.
§ Baig A and He T. Compend Contin Educ Dent. 2005;26 (Suppl 1): 4-11.
In-Office Research of Stain Removal Efficacy of Stannous Fluoride Dentifrice
Purpose: An in-office trial compared use of three dentifrices on cleaning/stain removal, while also obtaining subjects’ assessment of the perceived occurrence of tooth staining.
Extrinsic Stain Removal Efficacy of a Stabilized Stannous Fluoride Dentifrice
Purpose: To assess the extrinsic stain removal benefit delivered by a SnF2 dentifrice and a positive control dentifrice over a two-week period.
Effects of Paste/Gel Sequence on Post-Prophylaxis Stain, Calculus and Plaque
Purpose: A randomized controlled trial was conducted to assess the effectiveness of a daily 2-step dentifrice and gel system to prevent stain, calculus and plaque after a dental prophylaxis.
TEETH WHITENING
When dental professionals asked people what they’d most like to improve about their smile, the most common response was whiter teeth.