My friends at ConsumerLab.com say, “A common ingredient in toothpaste does cause tooth staining.”

ConsumerLab.com is one of my favorite evidence-based subscription websites, particularly for natural medicines and alternative therapies.

About toothpaste that stains, they write:

Be aware that the stannous fluoride used to reduce tooth sensitivity may cause tooth staining due to its stannous (i.e., tin) ion.

Tin ions react with saliva in the mouth to form insoluble compounds that settle onto the dentin (the middle layer of the tooth just beneath the enamel) and block stimuli from reaching exposed dentin tubules (Creeth, BMC Oral Health 2019).

Unfortunately, tin can also react with (oxidize) teeth, causing staining, although the risk appears to vary from person to person.

Evidence from an in vitro study found that stannous fluoride toothpaste stabilized with zinc phosphate (Colgate Total) may be less likely to cause staining than stannous fluoride toothpaste stabilized with stannous chloride (Crest Pro-Health Whitening Power) (Li, JADA 2019).

These stabilizing ingredients are listed in the “Inactive Ingredients” section of toothpaste labels.

© Copyright WLL, INC. 2022. This blog provides healthcare tips and advice that you can trust about a wide variety of general health information only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment from your regular physician. If you are concerned about your health, take what you learn from this blog and meet with your personal doctor to discuss your concerns.