Potassium Sodium Tartrate May Be an Enamel-Safe Whitening Alternative to Peroxide-Based Whitening: Study
Switzerland: In vitro findings suggest that potassium sodium tartrate may be an effective and enamel-safe alternative to peroxide-based whitening, warranting further clinical investigation.
A new laboratory study published in BDJ Open reports promising results for a non-invasive tooth-whitening approach that avoids the well-known drawbacks of peroxide-based treatments. Conducted by Angelina Ivanova and Valeriia Buzova from SkyLab AG, Lausanne, Switzerland, the research evaluated potassium sodium tartrate as a whitening agent that preserves enamel integrity while effectively removing stains.
Tooth whitening is one of the most commonly requested aesthetic dental procedures, yet conventional peroxide-based products are frequently associated with enamel demineralization, reduced surface hardness, and tooth sensitivity. These effects arise from the chemical oxidation process used to break down extrinsic stains. In contrast, potassium sodium tartrate is a piezoelectric material that relies on a mechanical, rather than chemical, mechanism. When activated during brushing, it generates localized electrical charges that help gently dislodge stains from the tooth surface without damaging the enamel.
The study comprised two in vitro experiments designed to compare whitening efficacy and enamel safety between potassium sodium tartrate and carbamide peroxide. In the first experiment, bovine enamel blocks were artificially stained and divided into four groups. These samples were treated with prototype toothpaste formulations containing either 2% potassium sodium tartrate, 2% carbamide peroxide, a base-only control, or deionized water. Treatment involved simulated brushing followed by prolonged immersion to mimic extended exposure. Outcomes were assessed using the Stain Removal Index (SRI%) and surface microhardness recovery.
Key Findings:
- Potassium sodium tartrate and carbamide peroxide showed similar stain removal efficacy, achieving comparable Stain Removal Index (SRI%) values.
- Carbamide peroxide significantly reduced enamel microhardness, indicating enamel demineralization, whereas potassium sodium tartrate preserved enamel hardness at levels similar to non-whitening controls.
- In stained human enamel samples, toothpaste formulations containing 2% potassium sodium tartrate demonstrated effective whitening over simulated one-week and one-month use.
- After one month, the potassium sodium tartrate–fluoride formulation achieved shade improvement comparable to a fluoride-containing peroxide-based toothpaste on the VITA Bleachedguide scale.
Taken together, the findings suggest that potassium sodium tartrate can deliver effective whitening outcomes without compromising enamel structure. The preservation of enamel microhardness is particularly noteworthy, as it addresses a key limitation of existing peroxide-based products.
While the results are encouraging, the authors emphasized that the study was conducted entirely in vitro. Clinical trials will be necessary to confirm these benefits in real-world use, including long-term safety, effectiveness, and patient-reported outcomes such as sensitivity.
"If validated in clinical settings, potassium sodium tartrate could represent a significant advance in cosmetic dentistry, offering patients a gentler whitening option that balances aesthetic improvement with enamel preservation," the authors concluded.
Reference:
Ivanova, A., & Buzova, V. (2026). Tooth-whitening treatment with potassium sodium tartrate: A non-invasive method that preserves enamel integrity. BDJ Open, 12(1), 14. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41405-026-00405-4
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