The benefits and harms of modern tooth powders and homemade products

Types of tooth powders

The types of cleaning products are influenced by the age of the consumer, the direction of use and preferences associated with a particular aroma.

The most common types of product are:

• with cinnamon and ginger;
• mint;
• with nutmeg;
• children's;
• special;
• family;

• bleaching. Tooth powder, thanks to the good abrasive action of its components, can be used to clean and whiten teeth; The composition of the infant formula additionally includes softening components.

Advantages and disadvantages of the cleaning product

The popularity of this product even today, after the advent of toothpastes, is explained by a number of advantages:

• natural composition - all components included in the tooth powder are environmentally friendly and natural;
• whitening properties - since calcium carbonate is a fairly strong abrasive, it completely removes yellow plaque from teeth and allows you to achieve noticeable lightening of the enamel in just a few applications;
• antiseptic properties - essential oils contained in almost all tooth powders prevent the growth of bacteria in the oral cavity;
• anti-inflammatory properties – essential oils help reduce inflammation and bleeding of the gums;
• restoration of acid-base balance in the oral cavity.

However, this tool also has disadvantages:

• tooth powder cannot be used daily - calcium carbonate is a fairly strong abrasive and, with frequent use, can lead to abrasion and thinning of the enamel. For people with hypersensitive teeth, the use of tooth powder is completely contraindicated;
• due to the powder form, many active ingredients cannot be added to such products;
• the packaging in which most powders are sold is not airtight - pathogenic bacteria can easily get into it;
• Some people may be allergic to the essential oils contained in the powders.

However, the negative consequences of using tooth powder can be avoided if you follow certain rules when using it.

Composition of tooth powder

In addition to the main component - calcium carbonate, clay, sodium carbonate or aluminum chloride, flavorings and other related substances are added to the product in the form of additives. For example, sea salt actively fights bacteria and accelerates tissue regeneration. Dry crushed herbs eliminate bleeding, disinfect, refresh the oral cavity, and relieve inflammation of the gums. Essential oils of mint and eucalyptus, for example, act as antiseptics. Copes perfectly with bacteria and eliminates bad breath - cinnamon. Tooth powder for children has a finer crystalline structure. This composition more gently cleanses the thin enamel of children's teeth.

From the history of occurrence

Several tens of centuries ago, a special product was already made on Earth that helped teeth become smooth and clean. They were made from shells, corals, pumice, and gypsum.

As the years passed, the composition improved. The main ingredients were eggshells, salt, and chalk. Tooth powder was first identified as a product in England in the 18th century. Chalk is the main component.

However, they began to produce it artificially in order to improve the composition. Crushed herbs, different types of oils, red and black pepper, sea salt and other components are added to it.

Which is better: tooth powder or toothpaste?

Any paste contains preservatives, including harmful foaming agents - sodium lauryl sulfate and its derivatives, abbreviated SLS and SLES. They harm enamel and gums. The main advantage of the powdered product is the absence of foaming agents and preservatives. After the first use of the product, you can notice the smoothness of the enamel, which is not observed when using a paste. Small abrasive particles do a good job of removing plaque and polishing the enamel.

A powder product has a better effect than a paste:

• on the process of destruction of dental stones;
• for whitening, this is especially true for coffee, tea and cigarette lovers;

In terms of cost (it is several times cheaper than any paste). In addition to the main task - oral care, the hygiene product is used for cleaning silver, cupronickel, for facial care, removing stains, etc.

Minuses

1. With frequent use, damage to tooth enamel due to abrasiveness is possible. This can lead to defects and erosion of dental tissue.
2. It is possible that bacteria may enter when the brush is lowered into the container . This can be eliminated by using disposable containers.
3. The free flow of air and moisture can negatively affect the quality of the product .
4. The danger of inhaling microparticles may arise when children use the powder, which will adversely affect their health.
5. Household inconveniences. Packaging does not exclude the possibility of unintentional spillage. There is no dispenser. The product is inconvenient for transportation.

How to use tooth powder

Brushing your teeth with this product is easy and quick. A small amount of cleaning product is applied to a damp brush. The movements when brushing your teeth should be less intense than when using toothpaste. After cleaning, rinse your mouth thoroughly with water.

Some features of brushing teeth using powder that you need to know about:

1. It is better to use a brush with soft bristles to brush your teeth so as not to damage the enamel;
2. Duration of the procedure is at least 5 minutes;
3. You should rinse your mouth longer than when using a paste; small particles are difficult to wash out with a single rinse;
4. It’s better to start the process with the incisors and front teeth;

Important! After cleaning with abrasive particles, the sensitivity of the enamel may increase. This is usually felt in the first weeks after starting use. Later, due to the habituation effect, this feeling disappears.

pros

1. High ability to clean teeth from stains, loosen stones .
2. High-quality removal of food debris and all kinds of plaque.
3. Naturalness and absolute safety of the product . The presence of chemical elements is minimal, unlike toothpaste.
4. There are no toxic components. Thanks to this, allergic reactions and inflammation of the mucous membrane are excluded.
5. Bringing the acid-base state of the oral cavity back to normal . The registered effect is much stronger than when using a paste.
6. Prevention of caries, periodontal disease, bleeding gums, protection of tooth enamel.
7. Whitening in just 3 procedures thanks to chalk particles, high-quality teeth polishing.
8. Massaging the gums with powder particles.
9. Relief of unpleasant odor in the mouth.
10. Parallel household use as a cleaner and stain remover.
11. Comparatively cheap.

Tooth powder for face

Tooth powder for the face is good to use as a scrub. The effectiveness of the procedure increases many times after visiting a sauna or taking a bath. To cleanse the skin, apply the product onto the face with light finger movements. The skin is scrubbed with massage movements for several minutes, while excess fat and keratinized particles are removed from the skin, and blackheads disappear. Cleansing can be done no more than once a week, especially for normal or dry skin.

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A mask for blackheads on the face (acne) is prepared by mixing whitening tooth powder with hydrogen peroxide. The pasty mixture is applied to problem areas of the face for 30-40 minutes, then gently washed off with plenty of water.

Tooth powder and table salt, when used together, are an effective harsh scrubbing agent.

Cleaning method

1. Diluting a small amount of the product to a mushy mass.
2. Moisturizing your toothbrush.
3. Apply the resulting mixture to the bristles.
4. The actual cleaning process (no longer than 3 minutes). The brushing technique is identical to using toothpaste.
5. Thoroughly rinse your mouth and brush again.
6. Rinsing and drying the toothbrush.

How to make tooth powder at home

It’s easy to make your own tooth powder at home. The most common and simplest recipe for making.

Compound:

• ground ginger root;
• soda;
• sea, rock or Himalayan salt.

You will need to take 1 teaspoon of all components, mix well and the product is ready for use. Ginger, salt and soda have a beneficial effect on blood vessels.

We recommend reading: Baking soda: beneficial properties, uses, how to take

This composition has an effective effect on the gums and protects them from bleeding. It is recommended to brush your teeth with this product no more than once or twice a week.

The composition of the herbal cleanser can be varied to suit individual preferences.

For example, the following composition is interesting and effective:

• calamus root;
• nettle;
• mint;
• chamomile;
• soda 0.5 spoons;
• white clay 0.5 spoons.

The herbs are ground to a powder and added to the mixture. Mint will cool and give freshness to your breath, improve blood circulation; Calamus has an anti-inflammatory, antiseptic effect; Nettle is beneficial for its high content of biologically active substances.

Homemade cleansing tooth powders can also be used during pregnancy. They will not harm the health of either the mother or the unborn baby.

Operating principle

The powder consists of solid particles that, acting on the enamel, polish it and whiten it. The minerals and medicinal plants it contains help reduce bleeding gums and strengthen them.

At the same time, the condition of the mucous membrane is normalized, the walls of blood vessels are strengthened. In terms of abrasive effect, the powder is twice as effective as the paste. In pastes, antibacterial properties are more pronounced due to the introduction of antiseptics, fluorine, vitamins, calcium, and phosphorus.

Popular means

As an example, here are several varieties of this product from well-known manufacturers.

Gum Gold / Gum Gold

This is an Ayurvedic remedy that contains many beneficial herbs and components.

Among them:

• mint,
• him,
• ginger,
• galanga,
• Red stone,
• mountain salt.

Regular use allows you to strengthen the gums and enamel, reduce bleeding of soft tissues, relieve inflammation and increase microcirculation of blood in the periodontal tissues, whiten and polish the enamel without causing harm.

Completely natural composition with no artificial additives.

The cost of a 60 g package is about 200–230 rubles.

For those who should use bamboo toothbrushes with charcoal coating, read our new review.

In the next publication we will talk about the features of oral sanitation during pregnancy.

At the link https://www.vash-dentist.ru/krasota-i-uxod/otbelivanie/kak-provoditsya-zubov-aktivirovannyim-uglem.html you can read the opinions of dentists on the use of activated carbon for whitening and leave your review.

Lion Tobacco

Created specifically for smokers to effectively protect against a specific unpleasant odor and heavy plaque. The whitening effect can be achieved within a few days.

Sold in packs of 160 grams, the cost is on average 350–370 rubles .

Sunny bunny

The main composition contains 14 herbs : mint, dandelion, sage, thyme, chamomile, oak, St. John's wort, calamus, nettle, alfalfa, birch, ginger, agrimony, coltsfoot.

Safe for children, helps fight inflammation in the gums, reduce bleeding and gently whiten.

The package contains 50 grams, its cost is about 330 - 340 rubles.

Mint

The base – calcium carbonate – is supplemented with menthol and natural mint oil .

Does not contain additional fragrances or harmful components.

The cost of packaging (140 g) is about 25–40 rubles.

Negative impact

The listed benefits are observed only with proper use of the product. If used incorrectly, it can cause harm. Among the negative consequences, the following are most often noted:

• thinning of the enamel from exposure to coarse abrasive particles, which leads to increased sensitivity. Occurs as a result of frequent use of the product;
• if there are wounds on the gum line in the cervical area, cleaning with powder can lead to additional injury and growth;
• Basically, this product is packaged in flat jars with a leak-proof lid .
  This is fraught with the development of bacteria, which during the procedure enter the oral cavity and provoke various dental pathologies. This problem can be avoided by using a product with a dispenser.

Manufacturers

Tooth powders are found in the product range of many well-known manufacturers.

• Gum Gold is an Ayurvedic remedy produced by the Indian company Nidco. Consists of many natural ingredients: peppermint, cumin, lavender, ginger, mountain salt, red stone. When used correctly, it strengthens enamel and gum tissue, reduces bleeding and inflammation. The drug is recommended for people with sensitive gums.
• Peppermint powder from the Russian company Avanta contains natural mint and menthol oils. Effectively whitens enamel, but with frequent use it increases its sensitivity.
• Lion Tobacco is a Japanese-made product designed to lighten teeth and remove nicotine stains from enamel. In addition to eliminating plaque, it freshens breath and has a pleasant taste.
• Lacalut active forte contains extracts of medicinal herbs, which prevents pain, inflammation and bleeding of the gums. Has an antimicrobial and astringent effect. Indicated for increased gum sensitivity.
• Veda Vedica is a product that has an anti-inflammatory and antiseptic effect. Its key advantages are the ability to strengthen enamel, prevent gum looseness, prevent tissue inflammation and freshen breath.

Price and where to buy

Standard varieties of tooth powder - “Special”, “Mint”, “Whitening” - are sold in any household chemicals store, and can also be found in pharmacies.
Of all the oral hygiene products, they are the most budget-friendly - the cost of one box of any of the listed types does not exceed 25 rubles.

A special “Biobeauty” product for active remineralization of thinned enamel with a high content of various minerals will cost about 450 rubles per package.

DentaEM powder, which combines anti-inflammatory and whitening agents, will cost 250 rubles per package.

Children's tooth powder “Sunny Bunny” with extracts of various medicinal plants, including string and oak bark, and also has a pleasant taste and aroma and will cost around 250 rubles.

You can purchase all these products at almost any pharmacy.

Evolution

From the moment tooth powder appeared to the present day, the composition and quality of products have undergone significant changes.

The prototype of the modern remedy was ground shells and sandstone. After some time, they began to use ground chalk and egg shells to clean teeth instead.

The powder took on its modern form in the eighteenth century in England, where it was made from simple chalk and mint or anise oil .

Now manufacturers have learned to combine various components in powder that differ in their effects. This moved it from the status of a regular cleanser to a comprehensive one.

Recommendations and tips

1. Limit the use of the powder to one or two doses per week (but no more than four).
2. The brush should be soft to reduce the load on the enamel.
3. It is not advisable to put it in the general packaging , but pour a little of the product into another container for one-time use.
4. Brush movements should be softer than when brushing with paste - circular or vertical, without pressure.
5. Store the product at temperatures up to 25 degrees. Avoid exposure to sunlight. You can pour it into a more convenient container. Choose the optimal location for keeping.
6. Avoid contact with water. Limit air humidity to 70%.
7. The correct individual choice of powder is especially important It is recommended to carefully read the instructions when purchasing a product and take into account compliance with GOST. It would be a good idea to consult a dentist.
8. It is recommended to use the product if traces of nicotine or coffee .
9. Use is not recommended for gum diseases to avoid tissue injury.
10. It is recommended to use the powder twice during one toothbrushing procedure to achieve a better effect. But in terms of time, both periods must be kept within a time period of 3 - 5 minutes.

All about the possible causes of a green coating on the tongue and methods of treating the pathology. Read here when you need an opinion on oral sanitation.

Follow the link https://dr-zubov.ru/lechenie/zuby/mozhno-li-provodit-s-anesteziej-pri-beremennosti.html if you have a question about whether it is possible to treat teeth with anesthesia for pregnant women.

Useful video

From this video you will learn about the beneficial properties of tooth powder:

If you want to quickly and safely whiten your smile, then pay attention to tooth powders. The advantage over toothpastes is obvious .

But before you start using tooth powder, consult your dentist, who will help you choose the best product for your enamel.

And remember that daily long-term use of dry products is harmful, so alternate with your usual neutral toothpastes. Take care of yourself and your teeth.