As we all know, the best toothpastes contain fluoride (Fl) which is a valuable tool for dentists and other professionals. By looking at the box, I noticed that both "Mentadent" and AdvanceWhite" (Arm & Hammer Co.) had % 0.243 Sodium Fluoride; the main active ingredient. Despite having the same active ingredient, both toothpastes are also peroxide-group [O-O] and baking soda [CHNaO3] based. The problem with this is that "Mentadent" keeps peroxide and baking soda separate until the reaction is initiated (the person begins to brush). "AdvanceWhite" still has the sodium fluoride, but it is a mixture of baking soda and peroxide. People might ask, what is the difference? If it has the same ingredients, why does it matter? This is where chemistry comes in.
Let's take a look at "Mentadent". The initial conditions of the system give us the reactants of a peroxide (hydrogen peroxide in this case) and baking soda reaction,
2(OH) + NaHCO3
The bellow peroxide reaction (theoretically) should take place in the brusher's mouth given that friction is being supplied,
2(OH) --> 2H2O + O2 [Enthalpy = + Energy from brushing]
These oxygen bubbles are great for cleansing and brushing teeth, and the water does have an effect, but it is an intermediate in a mechanism that cannot be observed given standard brushing conditions.
So as for the "AdvanceWhite"? You can say the exact same thing. The reaction still occurs in both toothpastes, just at different times on the reaction pathway of the hydrogen peroxide and baking soda reaction.
Given the figure above as an example, I could say that "Mentadent " is at point "y" on the reaction pathway (because the reactants are separated). As for the "AdvanceWhite", I will say is halfway from point "y" to point "w" on the chart. No matter how the reaction progresses, both reactants must reach an activated complex and thus eventually reach the same product point on the line. Yielding the same amount of product (Given of course both solutions have equal mass and molarity).
The Verdict
Both toothpastes are equally as effective due to the same yield at the very end of the reaction. As Niccolo Machiavelli said, "The ends justifies the means". This is completely true in the case of "Mentadent" vs. "AdvanceWhite", because both clean your teeth equally well, just on different chemical "timelines". On a personal note, I would say that "AdvanceWhite" is my favorite choice because it costs less! I would also recommend "AdvanceWhite" because it takes a shorter period of time for oxygen bubbles to develop, as I just proved above.
So next time you shop, don't just buy "Mentadent" because it looks bigger. Buy "AdvanceWhite" because this blog proves why less is actually more; or equal in this case.
