What is the whitening effect of tooth powder based on: composition, advantages, reviews

Several decades ago, the main means of dental hygiene was not toothpaste, but tooth powder. Having a coarse abrasive as its main component, this product often did more harm than good.

How does the modern version differ from its predecessors?

What is tooth powder

A hygienic product for the oral cavity, which consists of 98-99% of chemically deposited chalk (other bases are less commonly used). The rest consists of various additives, corrective properties and additional characteristics of the powder for teeth.

The ancient Romans used crushed bones, egg shells, shells and shells of sea creatures to make it. Their substance was used as a means for pain relief and teeth whitening.

The development of dental care continued relatively uneventfully until 1000 AD, when the Persians warned others of the dangers of using overly abrasive powders that could damage teeth. They proposed creating the powder using softer materials such as burnt snail shells, dried animal parts, herbs and honey.

The founder of the modern product originated in Great Britain at the end of the 18th century. Tooth powder was first introduced to the market in the UK.

These powders may have been developed by doctors, dentists and chemists, but they also included some quite abrasive substances: brick dust, ground porcelain, pottery and cuttlefish. Bicarbonate of soda, commonly known as baking soda, was often a key ingredient. By the end of the century, borax was added for cleansing and foaming purposes.

Different kinds

Oral hygiene is carried out in accordance with the age of the person and the condition of his oral cavity.

This is how they distinguish:

1. Adult and children's powder formulations;
2. Therapeutic and preventive;
3. Whitening.

The children's product contains precipitated chalk of the finest fraction, additives are minimized and the vast majority are plant-based.

If after the cleansing procedure there are unpleasant sensations, pain, or discomfort, you should visit a doctor. Perhaps these are signs of incipient caries or periodontitis, which are easier to treat at the initial stage.

There are many types of dry cleaning compositions on sale, which differ in the following parameters:

1. Aromatic and flavoring additives (cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, mint).
2. Additional natural ingredients (chalk, white clay, herbal extracts).

The choice of product depends on the age of the consumer, purpose of use and preference regarding aroma. Description of proven products that are in demand:

1. Family . Does not contain toxic or carcinogenic compounds. Highly effective in removing soft plaque and formed dental deposits from the enamel surface.
2. Whitening . A product with a whitening effect without dyes or fragrances.
3. Mint . Thanks to the components of the powder, it has an antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effect, cleans and strengthens teeth well.
4. Children's . The composition includes useful minerals, essential oils and extracts of medicinal plants that heal teeth and gums. Gently and effectively cleanses the enamel of baby and permanent teeth.

Comparison chart of the best teeth whiteners

Compound

The main component is chalk.

Mint, menthol, ginger, and essential oils are used as flavoring agents.

To strengthen the gums, remove plaque and tartar, add white clay (colloidal kaolin), ground herbs, and sometimes spices (black pepper, turmeric and others).

Baking soda was considered a popular tooth powder due to its cleaning and whitening abilities, not to mention its low cost. However, modern dentists warn that it is too abrasive for daily use.

However, to make teeth whiter, baking soda is added to the cleaner. Tooth powders may also include agents used to bind, add color, or prevent hardening.

Flaws

All statements in the media about the dangers of tooth powder are an absolute myth, while the positive effect of this hygiene product on dental health is a proven medical fact.

However, in addition to its advantages, it also has disadvantages, the most obvious of which include the following:

• cleaning requires a little more time than using paste, and to achieve the desired effect, the powder must be periodically added to the bristles of the brush;
• strictly not recommended to use if gums are too sensitive and teeth with thinned enamel ;
• Possible harm to children's teeth;
• does not freshen breath as much as pastes do;
• due to the naturalness of the ingredients, it can act as an allergen , since it often contains essential oils.

However, most of the listed shortcomings can be easily tolerated, given the positive qualities of this product.

The video talks about safe and effective teeth whitening powders.

Which is better: tooth powder or toothpaste?

Although there have been many studies showing the importance of brushing teeth with fluoride toothpaste, few compare the benefits of toothpaste and tooth powder.

However, studies were conducted by the same doctor of science in dentistry in 2014 and 2022. Through experiments, the doctor found that tooth powder was more effective than toothpaste in removing surface stains from teeth and also in combating gingivitis caused by plaque.

Modern toothpastes and toothpowders contain many of the same ingredients, with the exception of fluoride. If sanitizing the oral cavity, strengthening the protective properties of enamel, and preventing caries is important to you, be sure to check the label of any product you buy to make sure it contains fluoride.

Tooth powders do not contain ingredients that remove intrinsic stains. Just like many toothpastes. Intrinsic stains are stains that occur inside the tooth rather than on its surface.

The most common causes of intrinsic stains are certain medications, using too much fluoride, and tooth decay. Tobacco and certain drinks such as coffee, tea and red wine can cause external stains.

Teeth whitening powder: benefit or harm

The benefits and harms of a cleaning product depend on many factors. If whitening tooth powder is used correctly, it will only bring positive effects.

The permissible frequency of its use is once every three days. On other days, brushing is carried out as usual - with toothpaste twice a day.

Reviews

Below are some customer reviews. If you have something to say, leave your feedback in the comments below the article, it will be useful to our readers.

Katerina B.

I have been using tooth powders for many years, but for the purpose of quick whitening on the eve of upcoming celebrations. And I had heard before about the dangers of their frequent use. I was encouraged by the fact that such products can also be beneficial for the mouth. Apparently it's worth using them a little more often.

Egor K.

Today there are many different powders in the world, I use them. At the same time, I alternate the use of powder and paste and noticed positive changes in the shade of my teeth. This product actually whitens better than paste. And there are much more medicinal impurities in these drugs.

Pros and cons of using

Tooth powder copes well with the formation of plaque and prevents it from hardening and turning into tartar. Favors the development of good microflora.

But at the same time, frequent use can serve to destroy the enamel and, consequently, aggravate unpleasant sensations: sensitivity to cold and hot, pain, as well as the development of caries and inflammatory processes.

pros

The advantages of tooth powder also include:

• natural ingredients;
• high-quality plaque removal;
• softening of tartar;
• whitening properties;
• polishing;
• elimination of unpleasant odor;
• prevention and treatment of gingivitis and periodontitis;
• providing minerals and vitamins to oral tissues;
• ensuring normal ph;
• pathogen control;
• economical consumption;
• long shelf life;
• budget price.

There is information that the powder can be harmful if used continuously. Indeed, if you use only powder with coarse abrasives several times a day for several months, there is a possibility of damage to the enamel. Therefore, it is enough to use the powder 1-2 times a day and alternate it with pastes.

If the powder in the composition does not contain coarse particles, then it can be used without fear.

Minuses

Are there any disadvantages to tooth powder? Yes, of course there is, like any medicine and even a neutral product.

Flaws:

• if sensitivity is increased, the powder can enhance it, so it is important to choose the right composition;
• abrasive particles can damage thin enamel and contribute to sensitivity;
• regular packaging is not convenient; when used, the powder may get wet, and a loose lid will not preserve the powder if the jar falls;
• treatment for a number of oral diseases is impossible without additional components or the participation of a dentist;
• When treating teeth with powder, it is important to follow the direction of movement, clean correctly and not violate the technology.

If industrial formulations cannot lead to the expected result, you can create the powder yourself or order it from those who manufacture it using an individual recipe and technology.

Instructions for use: how to use

brush your teeth as if using a standard toothpaste, morning and evening for 4-5 minutes.

Constant use of this product to lighten enamel can be harmful, so you should take breaks for 1-2 weeks .

During breaks, use your usual paste.

Before using this substance, you should consult with a dentist , who will help you choose the ideal composition of the product for your teeth and take into account all the individual characteristics of your oral cavity.

Note! Now you have finally purchased the right whitening product. Let's start using it.

1. In a separate container , mix the substance with water in a ratio of 2:1 , so that you get a thick paste and apply it to a dry toothbrush. There is a lazy way to use such a preparation, when you apply the powder to a moistened toothbrush with a dispenser spoon or simply dip it in a container with dry powder.
2. We begin process from the upper jaw . You need to move smoothly from the front teeth to the back teeth, without putting too much pressure on the toothbrush. The process should take 2-3 minutes.
3. Let's move on to the lower jaw . You need to reapply the substance to the bristles and continue cleaning in the same way as on the upper jaw.
4. We complete the procedure by thoroughly rinsing your mouth and washing your toothbrush.

Lightening of teeth color will be noticeable after 3-4 days of continuous use.

How to make tooth powder at home

There are dozens and even hundreds of recipes that are not difficult to find online for making your own tooth powder.

Luckily, instead of ash and eggshells, these mixtures are based on relatively easily obtained ingredients such as chalk, powdered sugar, baking soda, borax, charcoal, honey and peppermint oil, among other ingredients.

One of the universal recipes:

Base: White clay. To it are added: ground sea salt, ground dried tansy, mint, pine needle extract, 2-3 drops of tea tree essential oil. Each bulk ingredient is taken at a rate of 1:30, where one part of the substance is added to 30 parts of white clay.