Tooth powder has been used as an oral healthcare product for centuries. It's an effective way to reduce plaque, control gum disease, and whiten teeth. Cury, J.A. and Tenuta, L.M.A. “ Evidence-Based Recommendation on Toothpaste Use .” Brazilian Oral Research, Sociedade Brasileira De Pesquisa Odontológica, 2014. Like toothpaste, various kinds of tooth powder are available on the market. Each tooth powder caters to different preferences and oral care needs. Essential oils — Some essential oils have antiseptic properties that can help reduce bacteria in the mouth There is limited research that has compared toothpaste to powder. However, those published show mixed results on tooth powder's overall effects on oral health. 1,2,3,4,5,6

Singh et al. “ Comparative Evaluation of Tooth Substance Loss and Its Correlation with the Abrasivity and Chemical Composition of Different Dentifrices .” Research Gate, Indian Journal of Dental Research, 2016.

List of the best tooth powder available in the market:

Bentonite clay — Bentonite clay is added to natural tooth powder to improve its overall texture, giving it a smooth consistency verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ Bharathi et al. " Formulation and evaluation of herbal tooth powder for oral care. " International Journal of Pharmaceutical Research and Life Sciences, ScienZTech, 2020. One study found that tooth powder can cause bleeding, gum loss, and damage to your enamel (tooth surface). 4 Another study showed that tooth loss was higher in people who brushed with red tooth powder due to its high abrasiveness and chemical composition. 5 Pros and Cons of Toothpowder

Dakhurkar et al. " Preparation and Evaluation of Herbal Tooth Powder. " World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research, 2019. Janakiram et al. “ Comparison of Plaque Removal Efficacy of Tooth Powder and Toothpaste in Young Adults in India: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial .” Journal of the International Academy of Periodontology, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2018. When it comes to using a plastic free, natural toothpowder it can seem daunting, however it really isn't! Natural tooth powders are so easy to use, just simply dip your eco friendly toothbrush head in the natural tooth powder and make sure you have a nice covering of the natural tooth powder on the bristles. Then brush as normal! Long before the days of Cleopatra, Egyptians were using tooth powders or pastes to clean their teeth, as did the ancient Greeks and Romans. The Egyptians used a formula combining a powder of ox hooves' ashes and burnt eggshells mixed with pumice. The Greeks and Romans preferred a grittier powder, so they used crushed bones and oyster shells. Romans added powdered charcoal and bark, hoping to help with bad breath. The Chinese added ginseng, herbs and salt to help improve taste and cleaning properties. The main concerns regarding tooth powder are its abrasiveness and effectiveness at removing dental plaque . A buildup of plaque can lead to cavities and tooth decay.The abrasiveness of tooth powder may help remove surface stains. However, it can also have negative effects on your teeth. Toumba et al. " Guidelines on the use of fluoride for caries prevention in children: an updated EAPD policy document. " European Archives of Paediatric Dentistry, 2019. Brushing your teeth is so important for oral and dental hygiene, twice a day is the recommended guide to maintain healthy teeth and reduce the build-up of plaque. As the name suggests, natural tooth powder uses naturally derived ingredients. They won’t contain harsh chemicals and are generally safe for people with sensitive teeth. Kids Tooth Powder Considering this product’s pros and cons can help determine whether tooth powder is right for you. How to Use Tooth Powder

These mixed results show that more evidence is needed to prove whether tooth powder is as effective as toothpaste at reducing plaque. Controlling Gingivitis In comparison, toothpaste is proven to protect against cavities, lessen tooth sensitivity, whiten teeth, reduce plaque, prevent gum disease and enamel erosion, and reduce bad breath. A few studies showed that tooth powder might be too abrasive compared to normal fluoride toothpaste. This can result in dental erosion. However, its abrasiveness can effectively polish stains off the surfaces of teeth. 4,5 In the 1800s, it was common for people to use baking soda, chalk, or salt to remove mouth odor and polish teeth. Today, we call them tooth powder. Shah et al. “ Association between Traditional Oral Hygiene Methods with Tooth Wear, Gingival Bleeding, and Recession: A Descriptive Cross-Sectional Study .” Indian Journal of Dental Research: Official Publication of Indian Society for Dental Research, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2018.

Why to use tooth powder?

The evolution of dental care continued relatively uneventfully until 1000 A.D., when the Persians warned others of the dangers of using overly abrasive powders that could damage teeth. They suggested creating a powder using milder materials such as burnt snail shells, dried animal parts, herbs and honey [source: BBC Home].