Teeth Whitening Toothpaste vs. Coffee Stains
The desire for white teeth has become increasingly popular as teeth whitening toothpaste becomes more easily accessible. When considering everyday habits such as smoking, drinking coffee, or drinking red wine that can cause discolored teeth, it is easy to recognize the increasing desire for teeth whitening toothpaste. Coffee in particular is made up of many chemicals that cause teeth-induced staining, including chromogens, tannic acids, and chlorogenic acids. These chemicals not only lead to tooth discoloration but also break down the enamel surface of our teeth. The enamel surface is the outermost layer that protects our teeth from cavities and damage. Thus, without the enamel surface, there is no barrier between harmful chemicals and the core of a tooth. With this being said, whitening toothpastes have been manufactured to prevent coffee-induced stains as well as to protect the enamel surface of our teeth from further breakdown.
Tooth enamel is the hardest substance in our body. It is made up of minerals like magnesium, sodium, fluoride, and carbonate that protect teeth from tooth decay. It is vital to protect tooth enamel through dental hygiene and lifestyle choices.
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A study was conducted by the University of Seoul in 2024 to compare the differences in teeth whitening effects between regular toothpaste and teeth whitening toothpaste, as well as to identify the most effective teeth whitening toothpaste. The study also took into consideration the positive and negative effects of the three different chemicals—sodium hexametaphosphate, hydrogen peroxide, and sodium bicarbonate—known to enhance teeth whitening effectiveness. The study was conducted specifically to examine coffee-induced stains, and found a significant difference in teeth whitening between participants using regular toothpaste and those using toothpaste advertised as teeth whitening. Furthermore, each teeth whitening toothpaste used in the study corresponded to one of the designated chemicals that enhance teeth whitening—sodium hexametaphosphate, hydrogen peroxide, and sodium bicarbonate. Of the three teeth-whitening toothpaste chemicals, the toothpaste containing sodium hexametaphosphate showed the greatest whitening effects, with an estimated 80.33% recovery of whiteness. However, compared to the 70.83% and 71.67% recovery of whiteness for toothpaste containing hydrogen peroxide and sodium bicarbonate respectively, the toothpaste with sodium hexametaphosphate showed significantly more whitening effects.
Nonetheless, there were drawbacks to the sodium hexametaphosphate teeth whitening toothpaste such that it also showed the greatest amount of enamel surface damage. Meanwhile, the teeth whitening toothpaste that contained hydrogen peroxide showed a lesser degree of enamel surface damage. As such, it was suggested as the most optimum toothpaste if used on a short-term basis.
Thus, as teeth staining and enamel surface breakdown continue to be a drawback of popular everyday habits such as drinking coffee, it is important to note the potential benefits of teeth whitening toothpaste in color restoration and the drawbacks of teeth whitening toothpaste in damaging the enamel surface.
Nonetheless, there were drawbacks to the sodium hexametaphosphate teeth whitening toothpaste such that it also showed the greatest amount of enamel surface damage. Meanwhile, the teeth whitening toothpaste that contained hydrogen peroxide showed a lesser degree of enamel surface damage. As such, it was suggested as the most optimum toothpaste if used on a short-term basis.
Thus, as teeth staining and enamel surface breakdown continue to be a drawback of popular everyday habits such as drinking coffee, it is important to note the potential benefits of teeth whitening toothpaste in color restoration and the drawbacks of teeth whitening toothpaste in damaging the enamel surface.
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