Can you recycle toothpaste tubes? Find out why they shouldn't go in your recycling bin, and what to do instead The inclusion of PAP proved noteworthy. PAP acts to brighten teeth, rather than just remove stains, but clinical research supporting PAP’s effectiveness looks at the ingredient’s use in a tooth-whitening tray, rather than in a toothpaste. Our experts questioned whether the levels permitted in toothpaste are high enough to have a whitening effect. The "clinically proven" two-in-one formula contains Pearl Drops' dental-grade polishing agents for a low abrasion clean while combining the brand's "advanced whitening formula with essential Fluoride and Plaque Removers to accelerate whiteness" to whiten your smile. Charcoal toothpastes are now a common sight on supermarket shelves, with claims that the natural properties of charcoal will have a whitening effect on the teeth.

Another reviewer said: "A difference from the 1st use, being a coffee drinker my teeth are not the whitest so Pearl Drops are helping remove staining.... would I recommend? Yes indeed." Another shopper added: "I have been using this toothpaste for around 3 weeks now and I can account for the claims of instant results. The luminous pink paste is quite runny but the taste is pleasant and the effect is instant whilst also being long lasting. The Lush tabs that our experts analysed are fluoride-free, so they’re marketed purely as a whitening product. But this does raise questions over whether you would need them, as you can find fluoride toothpastes with stain-removal effects quite easily that will cover both bases.

Where To Buy

A whiter, brighter smile is always a coveted goal and some Superdrug shoppers think they've found the answer with Pearl Drops Luminous Bright White Toothpolish. However, either there is some witchcraft in this marvellous little mix or its the pink colour dyeing my lips/gums darker so my teeth look brighter. Ps it is messy and be careful if you're like me and end up with a toothpaste beard because it will stain your face pink. But overall, AMAZING. I've spent fortunes (literal, fortunes!) on teeth whitening and this little gem is the best I've ever tried!" They were in broad agreement that this toothpaste would whiten your teeth by removing surface stains - and help prevent future staining - thanks to ingredients such as sodium hexametaphosphate and sodium fluoride. We asked manufacturers for the evidence behind their claims, and asked three leading dental experts to examine the evidence and assess the claims made by the toothpastes based on this evidence and the ingredients lists.

iWhite also claims to include ingredients that act as a film to prevent future staining, but our experts didn’t find evidence to support this in the research provided by the manufacturer. Whitening toothpastes typically work by removing surface stains caused by food and drink, and restoring teeth to their natural colour, but some products promise whiter teeth after one brush, including two our experts analysed. According to the NHS https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/fluoride , fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that occurs naturally on earth. Brushing your teeth thoroughly with fluoride toothpaste is one of the most effective ways of preventing tooth decay as it helps to rebuild and strengthen the tooth’s surface and enamel. Both the toothpastes we looked at contain other ingredients that could help to remove staining, such as silica in the Hello toothpaste, and phthalimidoperoxycaproic acid (PAP) in the iWhite toothpaste. The Parla tabs, on the other hand, do contain fluoride (considered by experts as essential for good dental health), as well as hydrated silica and other ingredients that help to remove surface stains. However, our experts did flag that studies have raised questions over whether fluoride, when applied via a tablet instead of in a paste, is as effective.Choosing the best toothpaste - get the lowdown on the ingredients that are proven for sensitivity, whitening and more in our full guide Ash said: "I’ve been purchasing this brand and specifically the luminous bright as I have always noticed the difference and brightness within seconds. Amazing and recommend to everyone."

Colgate emphasised the temporary nature of optical enhancement when we asked, but couldn’t tell us exactly how long it lasted. Both this and the Pearl Drops toothpaste also contain traditional whitening ingredients, such as mild abrasives which remove stains, but you'll find these in other basic whitening toothpastes too. Toothpaste tablets are gaining popularity as a plastic-free alternative to toothpaste tubes. They typically come in glass jars and are designed to be chewed to form a paste in the mouth.

Questions & Answers

Issued jointly by the Department of Health and Social Care, the Welsh Government, the Department of Health Northern Ireland, Public Health England, NHS England and NHS Improvement and with the support of the Dental British Association for the Study of Community Dentistry there is a comprehensive toolkit to help people to get better oral health (please see chapter 9: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/delivering-better-oral-health-an-evidence-based-toolkit-for-prevention/chapter-9-fluorideWhat’s ). You’re paying extra for a paste that has good evidence to support it, but you could get similar effects using a cheaper product that contains similar ingredients.

The formula also effectively cleans teeth while taking care of enamel needs too - reports the ECHO. They were generally sceptical of the benefits of charcoal-based products over other whitening toothpastes. In fact, there’s some evidence that charcoal could be too abrasive for teeth, doing more harm than good by damaging enamel. Our experts felt that optical enhancement was stretching the boundaries of what whitening traditionally means, but if a temporary fix appeals, just be aware that any improvements may be short-lived.