Arm & Hammer 100% Natural Baking Soda Whitening Protection Toothpaste, 75ml

Product Information

Some toothpaste ingredients have raised intense debates and controversies on their effects on human health and the environment, such as triclosan and Sodium Laurel Sulphate (discussed below).

Triclosan is an anti-bacterial agent, first used by surgeons to sterilise their hands, which is still in use in health settings. Triclosan and other antibacterial agents have been in widespread use in a surprising array of consumer products including sports clothing, children’s clothing, soft toys, mattresses, deodorant, make-up, skincare lotions, chopping boards, pencils, and kitchen tools. There are also many possible variations and additions to this basic recipe. Instead of water, coconut oil or virgin olive oil can be used as the base ingredient. Bicarbonate of soda can be complemented or substituted by calcium carbonate (dental grade chalk, although vegetarians and vegans need to ensure that this is not sourced from animal bone) or bentonite clay. The same ingredients without the addition of liquids can form the basis of a tooth powder. When determining the best whitening toothpastes to test, we reviewed dozens of toothpastes from the top oral care brands. Then, we selected fifteen whitening toothpastes for home testing. Our testers evaluated and recorded their pre-test teeth color using the VITA Guide, brushed with the toothpastes as directed for several weeks, and then reevaluated teeth color. Steven Morgano, DMD, chair of the Department of Restorative Dentistry at Rutgers School of Dental MedicineFluoride comes from a number of different sources including toothpaste, specific fluoride applications and perhaps the drinking water in your area. These can all help to prevent tooth decay. If you are unsure about using fluoride toothpaste ask your dentist, health visitor or health authority. One ingredient to avoid is charcoal because of the harm it can cause to the teeth. “Charcoal can be used as an abrasive, but it should be avoided [because it is] too abrasive,” Dr. Morgano says.

In November 2016, Amnesty International reported serious human rights abuses on the plantations of Wilmar, one of the world’s largest processors and merchandisers of palm oil products. Colgate-Palmolive was said to have been sourcing palm oil from refineries where the palm oil had been directly supplied or, at the very least, had been mixed with palm oil produced on plantations where there were severe labour rights abuses. This Crest toothpaste was amazing with my sensitive teeth and gums and left my mouth feeling clean and refreshed. I can't say that the results were very drastic; perhaps with longer-term use, I might see a more noticeable change, but I liked this toothpaste better than my regular toothpaste, so I might just switch to this brand permanently." — Hildara Araya, Commerce editor, Verywell Family Abrasive whiteners: Silica is an abrasive whitening agent that removes stains on the teeth's surface. “Generally, the abrasives are silica or chalk, which are harmless to enamel,” Dr. Morgano says. Unlike regular toothpastes, ARM & HAMMER™ toothpastes are naturally powered by ARM & HAMMER™ dental grade baking soda. Baking soda has been used to promote good oral health for over 170 years. Baking soda provides numerous benefits to keep a good oral hygiene including:In terms of marketing and advertising, the brands that dominate the market portray their products as scientific and technological with unique, specialised ingredients purportedly conferring proven health benefits. For example, in 2018, a Colgate advert was banned by the Advertising Standards Agency for making misleading claims that a product “repairs teeth instantly”, according to the BBC this is the fifth dental product advert Colgate has had banned in the last seven years. This is largely due to the huge variations in dosage levels that can result from this method. For instance, some people use a small amount of toothpaste whilst others may use a lot. Some people spit out the toothpaste and some swallow it. This applies to adults as well as babies and children. These differences mean that the amount of fluoride received each time the teeth are brushed can vary wildly. On top of that, some people brush their teeth just once a day, whilst others may brush three times or more in a day. The baking soda neutralizes the acid in your mouth so it's gentle on your enamel. Our tester noted that this toothpaste was a bit grainy but still comfortable to use and didn't cause any sensitivities. Our tester also noted that the taste was initially slightly bitter, but they got used to it after continued use.