All Toothpastes Are NOT Created Equal The Harmful Truth About Whitening & Tartar Control Toothpaste By Dr. Marie Durflinger If you have ever visited the dental care isle at your local grocery store, you know that there are literally dozens of different dental products that advertise, “tooth whitening” or “tartar control.” We place a lot of value on clean, white teeth in today’s society. Everywhere you look there are bright, pearly-­‐white smiles in the media and this has lead to an increase in the availability of whitening and tartar control formulas on the market. In fact, I bet if you opened up your medicine cabinet at home and looked at the toothpaste you use everyday, it likely claims that it whitens your teeth or controls the development of tartar on your teeth. Toothpastes that advertise whitening and tartar control have been around for about 20 years so we are now able to evaluate some of the side effects of long-­‐term use. Advertisements can be misleading. When toothpaste claims that it provides a specific outcome, it is important to know the method in which it works to achieve this outcome. When it comes to whitening and tartar control, it probably works different than you think and incorrect use of whitening and tartar control toothpastes could be damaging your teeth and gums. The Ingredients & How They Actually Work: Tooth Whitening Ingredients: When you read a toothpaste advertisement that says Hydrated silica tooth whitening, most people think that it will change sodium tripolyphosphate citroxane the color of their teeth. This is a common papain misconception. The ingredients that toothpaste citrate manufacturers use work by removing surface stains aluminum oxide calcium carbonate caused by coffee, tea, smoking and food. They dicalcium phosphates ingredients are abrasives that polish surface stains hydrated alumina and enzymes/chemicals that dissolve surface stains. various silica compounds. They do not physically lighten your teeth or change the Tartar Control Ingredients: color of your teeth. In fact, long term use of chemical Sodium Pyrophosphate and physical abrasives found in these toothpastes can cause gum recession, excessive enamel wear and notching on the roots of teeth. Once the gum tissue recedes or enamel wears away, it never grows back. Most people who use whitening toothpaste have so little surface stain on their teeth that the benefit they receive does not justify the damage they are causing to their teeth and gums. It is similar with tartar control toothpaste. Tartar control toothpaste does not remove existing tartar but partially inhibits the development of new tartar buildup through the use of sodium based chemicals and abrasives. Just like whitening additives, tartar RDA ABRASIVE INDEX
control additives have been linked to thinning Toothpaste
RDA
Value
of the enamel over time. RDA Values of Toothpastes Currently, toothpaste manufacturers have no regulations on the abrasive content they are allowed to put in their toothpaste. However, the American Dental Association has created a standardized laboratory test called the RDA Abrasives Index to measure these abrasives and many toothpaste brands have been tested. The RDA Abrasives Index of toothpaste range from 0-­‐250 with 100 being the maximum recommended abrasive value for daily home use. See the RDA table for an example of common toothpastes The Better Alternative: Plain Baking Soda
Arm & Hammer Tooth Powder
Arm & Hammer Dental Care
Oxyfresh
Arm & Hammer Peroxicare
Tom’s of Maine Sensitive
Rembrandt Original
CloSYS
Tom’s of Maine Children’s
Colgate Regular
Colgate Total
Sensodyne
Aim
Colgate Sensitive Max Strength
Aquafresh Sensitive
Tom’s of Maine Regular
Crest Regular
Mentadent
Sensodyne Extra Whitening
7
8
35
45
49
49
53
53
57
68
70
79
80
83
91
93
95
103
104
Colgate Platinum
106
Crest Sensitivity
107
Colgate Herbal
Aquafresh Whitening
Arm & Hammer Tartar Control
Arm & Hammer Advance White Gel
Close-up with Baking Soda
Colgate Whitening
Crest Extra Whitening
Ultra Brite
Crest Multicare Whitening
Colgate Baking Soda Whitening
Pepsodent
Colgate Tartar Control
Colgate 2-in-1 Tartar Control/Whitening
110
113
117
117
120
124
130
133
144
145
150
165
200
At Auburn Family Dental, we educate our patients about the harmful effects of long-­‐term use of whitening and tartar control toothpastes. If you want clean and white teeth, we recommend that you bleach your teeth with professional whitening products and have your teeth cleaned regularly to remove tartar build-­‐
up. Professional teeth bleaching will actually change the color of your teeth without RDA Abrasive Index Guide
damaging your enamel or gum tissue. And 0-70
low abrasive
having a professional teeth cleaning regularly 70-100 medium abrasive
high abrasive
will eliminate tartar build-­‐up keeping your 100-150
150-250 regarded harmful limit
teeth and oral tissues healthy. As we progress through the 21st century, many people are becoming more conscious of product ingredients. Reading labels to learn about what is in the food and healthcare products we use is the norm. Choose your toothpaste wisely. Know the RDA Value of the toothpaste you use daily and you can prevent long-­‐term damage to your teeth and gums. FREE TEETH BLEACHING FOR NEW PATIENTS ($400 value) If you are interested in a whiter and brighter smile without the use of harmful whitening / tartar control toothpastes, call Dr. Marie Durflinger for an appointment today at 253-­‐833-­‐2200 or 425-­‐208-­‐0032. As a gift to all new patients who receive a new patient exam, x-­‐rays and cleaning, you will receive a complimentary set of custom bleach trays and professional whitening gel (a $400 value).