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. 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. 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. Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) ⁠— This ingredient has mild abrasive properties that help remove surface stains and dental plaque from the teeth

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].

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Activated charcoal ⁠— Activated charcoal has a porous nature that is believed to remove toxins from your teeth (more studies need to be done to support this) 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 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 One study has shown that tooth powder efficiently removes extrinsic (surface) stains from your teeth. 5 This study noted that the whitening effects of the tooth powder were greater than that of the toothpaste. However, the toothpaste was just a regular toothpaste, not a whitening toothpaste.

Tooth powder is likely an effective whitening agent due to its abrasive properties. But again, more research is needed to determine the effectiveness of tooth powder in removing stains from your teeth. Are There any Negative Effects of Tooth Powder? Considering this product’s pros and cons can help determine whether tooth powder is right for you. How to Use Tooth Powder Three scientific studies have shown that tooth powder is equally or more effective at reducing plaque than toothpaste. 1,2,3 This is likely due to the abrasive nature of tooth powders. You can also find recipes to make your own tooth powder. Fortunately, instead of hoof ashes and eggshells, these concoctions rely on relatively easy-to-find ingredients like chalk, powdered sugar, baking soda, borax, charcoal, honey and peppermint oil.Dakhurkar et al. " Preparation and Evaluation of Herbal Tooth Powder. " World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research, 2019. 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 Natural tooth powders are an innovative, zero waste, eco friendly way of brushing teeth without the need for a plastic toothpaste tub. This is environmentally friendly because many commercial toothpaste tubes are made up of different layers of plastic and metal. This makes it very hard to recycle and, in most cases, ends up in general waste and sitting in landfill. Making the simple, eco switch to a natural tooth powder that is plastic-free will help reduce waste, plastic pollution, and encourage and support more sustainable, zero waste manufacturing processes.

Like toothpaste, various kinds of tooth powder are available on the market. Each tooth powder caters to different preferences and oral care needs.Rinse your mouth and toothbrush with water to remove any remaining tooth powder residue from your mouth and toothbrush Coarse sea salt — Sea salt helps balance the pH levels in the mouth and acts as a natural antibacterial agent Kids tooth powder is specifically formulated for young children. Since kids’ teeth are still growing, this tooth powder is safe for their developing teeth. This tooth powder may contain natural ingredients and be free from harsh chemicals or additives. Does Tooth Powder Have any Benefits? Dip the wet toothbrush in your tooth powder (the moisture will help the tooth powder adhere to your teeth and the toothbrush) Bentonite clay — Bentonite clay is added to natural tooth powder to improve its overall texture, giving it a smooth consistency

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. 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 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.Current scientific evidence shows that tooth powders may effectively reduce plaque and gum disease. 1,2,3 However, more evidence is needed to determine whether tooth powder effectively controls gingivitis. Whitening Effects 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 quality and convenience of teeth cleaning products moved forward significantly during the early 19th century, as the addition of glycerin helped turn the powders into a paste that was easier on teeth and easier to use. By 1873, toothpaste was mass produced and sold in jars on drugstore shelves. In 1892, Dr. Washington Sheffield of Connecticut became the first to put toothpaste into a collapsible tube; his company later became Colgate. After World War II, toothpaste technology continued to develop: One of the most significant advancements was the addition of fluoride to toothpaste to strengthen tooth enamel and help prevent tooth decay. Baking soda had been considered a popular tooth powder because of its cleaning and whitening abilities -- not to mention its low cost. However, modern dentists caution that it's too abrasive for daily use.