Laboratory and clinical stain removal evaluations of two tartar control dentifrices

The purpose of this research was to evaluate Colgate original Tartar Control dentifrice (TC) and new Colgate Micro Cleansing Tartar Control (MCTC) dentifrice in a laboratory and clinical study for their ability to remove induced stain. In the laboratory study, polished and etched bovine enamel specimens were stained for 4 days with a coffee, tea, and mucin, Sarcina lutea tartox culture in trypticase soy broth. Sixteen specimens were then brushed for 200 strokes with a sodium carboxymethyl cellulose solution to remove loose stain, and then brushed for 300 strokes with a 1:1 toothpaste slurry. Tooth color was measured by reflectance with the CLE L*a*b* scale. The calculated stain removal, 37% for MCTC and 24% for TC, was significantly different (p<0.01) favoring the MCTC dentifrice. In the clinical study, eight-six subjects were given Peridex (0.12% chlorhexidine gluconate) mouthrinse, a low abrasive dentifrice and a soft toothbrush to use twice a day for 8 weeks. Stain was monitored on the buccal and lingual surfaces of the anterior teeth using the Lobene index. The seventy-seven subjects with sufficient total stain were stratified into two balanced groups, given a new soft toothbrush and were randomly assigned to use one of the dentifrices tested, twice a day for 8 weeks. At 4, 6 and 8 weeks in the study, the MCTC dentifrice product had consistent, significantly (p<0.05-0.001) lower total stain scores than the TC dentifrice. In the laboratory and clinical studies conducted, even though stain induction and evaluation procedures differed, the new Colgate Micro Cleansing Tartar Control dentifrice was significantly more effective at removing stain than the Colgate original Tartar Control dentifrice formula.