Objectives: To evaluate the effects of a chewing gum and a dentifrice, both containing baking soda and pyrophosphate, on extrinsic tooth stain formation during an 8-week period.

Methods: 115 adults participated in this clinical study, which used a double-blind, parallel-group design and consisted of a 4-week pre-trial phase and an 8-week trial phase with a prophylaxis preceding each phase. Extrinsic stain was measured on labial/lingual surfaces of incisors by the Modified Lobene Stain Index (MLSI). Stain-susceptible subjects brushed with a low-abrasivity dentifrice during the pre-trial phase to promote stain formation, and these stain scores were used for allocation to the following treatment regimens in the trial phase: A) 2x/day with control dentifrice (Unilever Aim®) B) 2x/day with baking soda/pyrophosphate dentifrice (Arm & Hammer Advance White®) C) 1x/day with control dentifrice + 2x/day baking soda/pyrophosphate chewing gum D) 1x/day with control dentifrice + 2x/day breathmints MSLI stain data from the 4-week interim and 8-week final exams were analyzed by ANCOVA using the pre-trial scores as covariates.

Results: After 4 weeks of test product use, MLSI stain scores (Mean±SE) were A) 0.70±0.06, B) 0.66±0.06, C) 0.60±0.06, D) 0.87±0.07, and after 8 weeks the scores were A) 0.84±0.07, B) 0.68±0.07, C) 0.68±0.07, D) 0.91±0.07. The pyrophosphate dentifrice group had less stain than the control dentifrice group at both exams, but the difference was significant (p<0.05) only at 8 weeks. The pyrophosphate chewing gum group had significantly (p<0.01)less stain than the control breathmint group at both exams.

Conclusions: A baking soda chewing gum and dentifrice containing 1.0% and 3.3% tetrasodium pyrophosphate, respectively, each significantly reduced extrinsic stain formation during an 8-week period of use. [Supported by a grant from Church & Dwight Company]

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