Arm & Hammer Complete Care Extra Whitening Toothpaste with Baking Soda & Peroxide Review

As a fan of Arm & Hammer products for years, I decided to try out a tube of Arm & Hammer's Complete Care Extra Whitening Toothpaste with baking soda and peroxide. Arm & Hammer claims that its toothpaste has "ultra-refined dental-quality baking soda" and that you will basically feel like you just came from the dentist. Having used it for about half a tube, here's what I found.

Claims vs. Reality

After brushing with the Arm & Hammer Complete Care, you do feel like your mouth has been a bit more than brushed. There is significant foaming action from the toothpaste, and although I'm not really sure what value "dental-quality baking soda" has versus any other baking soda, the Arm & Hammer version does seem to be a little more active. You do actually get a very refreshing and clean feeling, especially along the gum line.

My teeth became noticeably whiter after about six uses, which surprised me. If you want to whiten while you brush, Arm & Hammer Complete Care will do the job. Tartar control is hard to verify. Realistically, almost any good quality toothpaste will control tartar if you brush and floss properly.

Downside?

It's hard to find a perfect product, and Arm & Hammer Complete Care toothpaste is not that product. The tube claims that the toothpaste is a "[l]ow abrasion formula." That may be true, but you can definitely feel grit while brushing. Sometimes it feels as if tiny grains of sand are being rubbed against your teeth. The "fresh mint" flavor tastes a little antiseptic. I use a mouth rinse after I brush, and it feels a little redundant after using this toothpaste. If you don't like strong mouthwash, you may not like this product.

In other words...

Arm & Hammer Complete Care Extra Whitening is a decent toothpaste that generally lives up to its claims. It does a good job of cleaning, it will whiten your teeth fairly well after only a short time, and it is very refreshing. It just might be a little too refreshing, and you might feel like you scoured your teeth rather than brushed your teeth thanks to the grit.

Arm & Hammer Complete Care Extra Whitening with baking soda and peroxide (fresh mint flavor)

Available everywhere, average cost about $3 to $3.50 for a 6 oz. tube.

7 out of 10.