A whiter smile is highly desirable in today’s world because many people associate white teeth with cleanliness and attractiveness. Patients who have not been able to achieve the white smile they would like may experience low self-esteem.[i] Some patients might assume that intensive dental procedures may be needed to improve their smile, or the use of at-home chemical remedies is the answer, but the solution for your patients may actually be much more straightforward. Baking soda dentifrices are a great option for stain removal, suitable for achieving that whitening effect, or for use after professional whitening treatment to optimise and maintain results.[ii]
Why do patients strive for white teeth?
Dental aesthetics have evolved and changed over time with various styles coming in and out of fashion. Throughout history individuals have strived to meet their contemporary beauty standards, for example, teeth-blackening in Elizabethan England (1558-1603). In an attempt to replicate the decayed teeth of Queen Elizabeth I, aristocratic women chose to use products which blackened their teeth, which became a symbol of royalty and affluence. Thankfully, times have changed, and the current dental beauty standard of white teeth is sought after by most patients. This may be linked with the symbolic meaning attached to the colour white, associated with cleanliness, purity, and perfection. The maintenance of this social norm is driven by popular media, with many individuals aiming to emulate this ideal.i
The current dental beauty standard of straight white teeth now carries some social weight. Dental appearance may impact people’s perceptions of an individual’s personality traits with people making snap judgements about a person based purely upon their teeth. Those with white, straight teeth are generally viewed as more attractive, more successful in their career, more intelligent, and more popular.i Therefore, it is understandable that, for many patients, dental aesthetics are very important. The demand for aesthetic dental procedures has increased over the years, with good results boosting many patients’ self-esteem. This demand for whiter teeth has led to an increase in requests for whitening treatments, with some patients seeking further aesthetic treatment to achieve their perfect smile.[iii]
Baking soda is best
Achieving a whiter smile does not need to be an intensive procedure in most situations. Many patients have the ability to obtain great results at home by using products containing baking soda. Baking soda dentifrices are effective and safe for removing stains, and thereby whitening teeth. Their low abrasivity makes them suitable for twice daily use, whilst still retaining the ability to lift stains from teeth without damaging the enamel. Baking soda has clinically proven stain-removal and whitening efficiency which provides a unique balance to help patients achieve maximum results with minimal risks.ii
Dentifrices containing baking soda are more effective in stain removal and whitening than some of those which do not contain baking soda and have a higher abrasivity. Dentifrices containing baking soda are a great option for encouraging patient compliance as due to their stain removing and whitening properties, patients are motivated to use the product properly, following their dentist’s instructions. This is because patients are more likely to co-operate with oral hygiene recommendations when the results are visible.[iv]
This is great news for your patients as not only is baking soda a fantastic natural whitener, it is also great at removing bacteria. Studies show that in the short-term (24 hours and 4 days), dentifrice containing baking soda showed a reduction of 12%-30% of bacteria.[v] Another study assessed formulations with higher baking soda concentrations (52% and 65%) which saw a notable improvement in plaque control and gingival inflammation (approximately 50% and 75% reduction).v This significant reduction in plaque and bacteria can provide your patients with long-term protection when used twice daily, preventing future dental and gingival health issues.
The Arm & Hammer™ 100% Natural Whitening Protection Toothpaste is powered by baking soda and is designed to deliver superior stain removal by gently lifting stains to deliver a noticeable difference, your patients can expect whiter teeth in just three days with twice daily brushing. Not only this, the Arm & Hammer™ 100% Natural Baking Soda Toothpaste range is completely recyclable – including carton, tube, and cap – and contains 1450 ppm of fluoride to offer lasting protection against caries.
Help your patients achieve whiter smiles with a safe and easy to use alternative to chemicals and professional whitening treatments. Recommend a baking soda dentifrice for your patients who are aiming to achieve white teeth naturally, while cleaning teeth effectively. Recommend twice daily brushing as normal to achieve the best results, and maintain the stain free look. This will, in turn, help your patients in preventing future dental health issues – and your patients can enjoy healthier, whiter teeth.
For more information about the carefully formulated Arm & Hammer™ toothpaste range, please visit https://www.armandhammer.co.uk/ or email: ukenquiries@churchdwight.com
Arm & Hammer™ oral healthcare products can now be purchased from Boots, Amazon, Superdrug, ASDA, Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Morrison’s, Waitrose & Partners and Ocado.
Andrea Hammond is a Dental Hygienist and Waterpik Professional Educator. Andrea has worked in dentistry since 1996, first qualifying as a dental nurse in 1998 – the same year in which she secured a place on the very first dental therapy cohort at the Eastman Dental Hospital. Following this, she was awarded diplomas in both dental hygiene and dental therapy in the year 2000, and became an active member of the GDC fitness to practice panel since 2015. Today, she continues to share knowledge as a Professional Educator for Waterpik and be deeply involved in the industry as a Regional Group Representative for the British Society of Dental Hygiene and Therapy (BSDHT).
[i] Khalid, Abeer, and Carlos Quiñonez. “Straight, white teeth as a social prerogative.” Sociology of health & illness 37.5 (2015): 782-796. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/1467-9566.12238
[ii] Li, Yiming. “Stain removal and whitening by baking soda dentifrice: a review of literature.” The Journal of the American Dental Association 148.11 (2017): S20-S26. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0002817717308115/?amp=1
[iii] Kihn, Patricia W. “Vital tooth whitening.” Dental Clinics of North America 51.2 (2007): 319-331.
http://pdf.xuebalib.com:1262/21vrUnJaxMsB.pdf
[iv] Ciancio, Sebastian G. “Baking soda dentifrices and oral health.” The Journal of the American Dental Association 148.11 (2017): S1-S3.
https://jada.ada.org/article/S0002-8177(17)30822-X/fulltext
[v] Sabharwal, Amarpreet, and Frank A. Scannapieco. “Baking soda dentifrice and periodontal health: A review of the literature.” The Journal of the American Dental Association 148.11 (2017): S15-S19. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0002817717308231#bib9
