Ivanova, A. & Buzova, V. (2026) ‘Tooth-whitening treatment with potassium sodium tartrate: a non-invasive method that preserves enamel integrity’, BDJ Open, 12, Article 14. doi:10.1038/s41405-026-00405-4.
Tooth whitening is becoming an increasingly popular and commonly used cosmetic dental treatment due to many people desiring brighter smiles. Many professionally applied and over the counter whitening systems contain peroxide based agents such as hydrogen and carbamide peroxide. Although these conventional tooth whitening have benefits such as improving confidence and motivation for better oral hygiene, there are also downsides to using peroxide based agents such as enamel demineralisation and tooth sensitivity. As a result, this article looks at an alternative whitening method that is effective but enamel-safe. The use of potassium sodium tartrate is the focus due to its piezoelectric properties, allowing it to be mechanically activated during brushing.
Aim
The study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of toothpaste formulations containing potassium sodium tartrate for tooth whitening and to compare these with conventional peroxide based whitening and non-whitening controls.
Methods
The methods included an in vitro investigation comprising of two experiments.
In the first experiment, bovine enamel samples were stained and treated with simulated brushing with different toothpastes and deionised water (1) toothpaste containing 2% potassium sodium tartrate, (2) toothpaste with 2% carbamide peroxide as a positive control, (3) a base toothpaste without active whitening, (4) deionised water as a negative control. A Stain Removal Index (SRI%) was used to quantify results and enamel microhardness was measured.
In the second experiment, commercial type toothpastes were used for stained human enamel blocks and peroxide toothpastes, over 1 week and 1 month brushing periods. The whitening was quantified using changes in the VITA Bleach Guide shade values.
Results
In the first experiment toothpaste with sodium tartrate and carbamide peroxide showed equivalent stain removal with the Stain Removal Index being approximately 30%, both being significantly better than controls. In terms of the effect on enamel, the toothpaste with carbamide peroxide significantly reduced enamel microhardness indicating enamel weakness, whereas the one with potassium sodium tartrate maintained enamel microhardness at similar levels to the non-whitening controls used. In the second experiment, the potassium sodium tartrate toothpaste achieved a comparable number of shade improvements to the peroxide toothpastes according to the VITA shade guide.
Conclusion
Potassium sodium tartrate demonstrates in vitro tooth whitening capability whilst maintaining enamel strength unlike peroxide based systems due to its piezoelectric mechanism. Despite these results suggesting there may be a potential alternative to peroxide based systems, these findings were obtained in vitro conditions and the stains applied were simulated therefore further trials would be necessary.
Research Summary Written By: Husnaa Razzaq, University of Manchester – BDS 5