A six-week clinical efficacy study of a new dentifrice for the removal of extrinsic tooth stain.

The objective of this double-blind clinical study was to investigate the tooth whitening efficacy of a new dentifrice (Colgate Tartar Control Plus Whitening Fluoride Toothpaste) for the removal of extrinsic tooth stain, through a comparison with two commercially available dentifrices, Aquafresh Whitening Toothpaste with Fluoride, and Crest Regular Fluoride Toothpaste. Following a baseline examination for extrinsic tooth stain area and intensity, qualifying adult male and female subjects from the Mississauga, Ontario, Canada area were randomized into three treatment groups which were balanced for age, gender, and level of extrinsic tooth stain. Subjects were instructed to brush their teeth twice daily (morning and evening) for one minute with their assigned dentifrice using a soft-bristled toothbrush. Examinations for extrinsic tooth stain were repeated after six weeks' use of the study dentifrices. One hundred twenty-two (122) subjects complied with the protocol and completed the entire study. At the six-week examination, subjects assigned to the Colgate Tartar Control Plus Whitening treatment group and subjects assigned to the Aquafresh Whitening treatment group exhibited statistically lower levels (p < 0.0001) of extrinsic tooth stain area and intensity than did those subjects assigned to the Crest Regular Fluoride treatment group. Further, subjects assigned to the Colgate Tartar Control Plus Whitening treatment group exhibited significantly lower levels of extrinsic tooth stain area and intensity than did those assigned to the Aquafresh Whitening treatment group (p < 0.0001).