In vitro efficacy of a whitening toothpaste containing calcium carbonate and perlite.
OBJECTIVE
The studies described in this paper aimed to assess the stain removal efficacy, fluoride efficacy and abrasivity to enamel and dentine of a new whitening toothpaste containing calcium carbonate and perlite, using appropriate in vitro models.


METHODS
Stain removal efficacy was assessed using the pellicle cleaning ratio (PCR) method. Fluoride efficacy was assessed using remineralisation, demineralisation and fluoride-uptake methods. Abrasivity was assessed using an enamel and dentine wear method.


RESULTS
The results showed that the new whitening toothpaste was able to remove extrinsic tooth stain more effectively than three commercially available toothpaste formulations. The fluoride efficacy was superior to a non-fluoridated control and was not significantly different to a clinically tested fluoride-containing toothpaste. The abrasivity data showed that the calcium carbonate/perlite toothpaste is no more abrasive to enamel or dentine than two other commercially available whitening toothpastes.


CONCLUSIONS
The studies show that the new whitening toothpaste is effective in extrinsic stain removal, has an efficacious fluoride source and does not have an undue degree of abrasivity to enamel or dentine compared to other relevant commercially available products.
Pickles
M J
MJ
Unilever Oral Care, Port Sunlight Laboratory, Bebington, Wirral, UK. matthew.pickles@unilever.com
Evans
M
M
Philpotts
C J
CJ
Joiner
A
A
Lynch
R J M
RJ
Noel
N
N
Laucello
M
M
D000537:Aluminum Oxide / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000818:Animals; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002119:Calcium Carbonate / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002327:Cariostatic Agents / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002417:Cattle; D002626:Chemistry, Pharmaceutical; D003743:Dental Enamel / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D044622:Dental Pellicle / Q000473:pathology; D003804:Dentin / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D005459:Fluorides / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012822:Silicon Dioxide / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014072:Tooth Abrasion / Q000145:classification; D017001:Tooth Demineralization / Q000517:prevention & control; D014075:Tooth Discoloration / Q000628:therapy*; D014089:Tooth Remineralization; D014099:Toothbrushing / Q000295:instrumentation; D014100:Toothpastes / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014260:Triclosan / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D002327:Cariostatic Agents; D014100:Toothpastes; C003076:Perlite; D014260:Triclosan; D012822:Silicon Dioxide; D002119:Calcium Carbonate; D000537:Aluminum Oxide; D005459:Fluorides