A six-week clinical study to compare the stain removal efficacy of three dentifrices

The objective of this double-blind clinical study was to compare the tooth whitening efficacy (stain removal) of a new commercially available tooth whitening dentifrice (Colgate Total Plus Whitening Toothpaste) containing 0.2% triclosan and 3.0% PVM/MA copolymer in a 0.243% sodium fluoride/high cleaning silica base, with that of two commercially available dentifrices, Crest Multi-Care Advanced Cleaning Toothpaste and Colgate Winterfresh Gel Fluoride Toothpaste. Following a baseline examination to assess extrinsic tooth stain, qualifying adult male and female subjects were randomized into three treatment groups which were balanced for gender, age and level of extrinsic tooth stain. Subjects were asked to brush their teeth twice (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 and twenty-three (123) subjects complied with the protocol and completed the study. At the six-week examination, subjects assigned to the Colgate Total Plus Whitening Toothpaste treatment group exhibited statistically significant reductions in extrinsic tooth stain area and extrinsic tooth stain intensity relative to those subjects assigned to the Crest Multi-Care Advanced Cleaning Toothpaste and the Colgate Winterfresh Gel Fluoride Toothpaste.