Investigation of the Effects of Whitening Toothpastes on Cigarette-Stained Teeth: An Original Research Study

Abstract Aim: This in vitro study aimed to evaluate the effects of four different toothpastes, including whitening and non-whitening types, on the color change of human anterior teeth stained by cigarette smoke. Materials and Methods: In this in vitro study, 50 extracted human anterior teeth, free of caries and structural defects, were randomly assigned to five groups [ n = 10] using simple randomization: a control group [distilled water] and four toothpaste groups—Colgate Anti-Caries [non-whitening], Opalescence Whitening, Glimo Omega Whitening, and Marvis Smokers Whitening Mint. Teeth were embedded in plexiglass molds, and initial color measurements [T0] were taken using a digital spectrophotometer. The samples were exposed to either commercial [Marlboro Red Long] or hand-rolled [Adıyaman tobacco] cigarette smoke, followed by second color measurements [T1]. After 30 days of brushing with a standardized mechanism, final color measurements [T2] were recorded. Color changes [T0 − T1 = ΔE 00 1 , T1 − T2 = ΔE 00 2 ] were calculated using the CIEDE2000 formula, and statistical analysis was performed using ANOVA and Tukey-HSD tests. Results: No significant difference was observed between commercial [ΔE 00 1 = 1.70 ± 0.28] and hand-rolled cigarette [ΔE 00 1 = 1.67 ± 0.34] smoke in terms of staining [ P = 0.74]. A significant difference was found among toothpaste groups after brushing [ P < 0.05]. Marvis Smokers Whitening Mint [ΔE 00 2 = 2.31 ± 0.08] showed the highest color change, followed by glimo omega whitening [ΔE 00 2 = 2.13 ± 0.17], opalescence whitening [ΔE 00 2 = 1.90 ± 0.13], and Colgate anti-caries [ΔE 00 2 = 1.86 ± 0.10]. However, the differences among toothpaste groups were not statistically significant [ P > 0.05]. Conclusion: This in vitro study showed that both commercial and hand-rolled cigarette smoke resulted in similar levels of extrinsic tooth discoloration. Brushing with any toothpaste significantly reduced discoloration compared to no brushing, highlighting the mechanical effect of plaque removal. Although whitening toothpastes demonstrated slightly higher mean color change values than the non-whitening toothpaste, the differences were not statistically significant. These in vitro findings do not support a statistically superior whitening effect for whitening toothpastes compared to regular toothpaste in this context.