New Tooth Whitener Could Help Heal Teeth

Tooth whiteners that could enhance teeth's natural healing ability may soon be available in over-the-counter gels and strips, according to a dental researcher who shared his team's latest findings at the American Dental Association's national media conference in New York.

Frederick Eichmiller, DDS, director of the American Dental Association's Paffenbarger Research Center (PRC) in Gaithersburg, MD, said that PRC scientists have created a "white with might" whitening formula that contains tooth remineralization agents.

The compound, amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP), is now available in some professional tooth-bleaching gels, but not yet in at-home bleaching kits.

Whitening can often open naturally occurring pores within teeth. These open tooth pores can cause temporary sensitivity to air and hot and cold food and drinks, a common side effect from tooth whitening. Saliva contains minerals that teeth need to heal themselves by closing these pores, but this process is slow. The "white with might" whitening formula replenishes essential minerals in teeth as it whitens, resulting in far fewer side effects for consumers.

"It's like having your cake and eating it, too, when it comes to tooth whitening,” Eichmiller said, adding that laboratory and human clinical trials on this technology substantiate the gel's effectiveness.

Currently, the whitening gel and the remineralization ingredients are stored separately and combined just before applying to teeth. Eichmiller said PRC scientists are working on combining the two into a single product that could then be used in over-the-counter strips and paint-on tooth whiteners.

Adapted from an American Dental Association news release, June 8, 2005