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Tooth powder has become a lifesaver for many people, particularly those with sensitive teeth and gums. It is usually made with natural abrasives like baking soda, charcoal, and clay, as well as antibacterial essential oils. It doesn't contain fluoride, so it's less likely to cause irritation to your teeth and gums. But if you're new to tooth powder, choosing one might seem a little bit challenging.
That's why we've compiled a list of highly recommended tooth powders to save you some research time. Our top pick is One Living Earth's Black Pearl Teeth Whitening Powder. This product is formulated with charcoal to power away stains and plaque. Other products on our top 9 list are also worth checking out, so give them a look, and check the buying guide reviewed by a dental hygienist to help you find the right product for you!
Jaeyoung is an oral health educator and dental disease preventer passionate about paving the way for patients to embark on their journey to proper oral hygiene. She graduated from UNC School of Dentistry in 2018 and served on the UNC SOD SPURGEON Student Government. She's always trying to keep up with new dental research articles and products to help her patients choose compatible products that work with their lifestyles. She's also a coffee lover and mom to two Bengal cats and multiple plants!
mybest US' editing team consists of experienced members who have backgrounds in writing, editing, translation, and more. We are dedicated to researching what makes a product or service the best to users in the US in order to create top-quality articles. From skincare, to kitchen appliances, and to DIY supplies, our mission is to find the best ones for you.
The expert oversees the Buying Guide only, and does not determine the products and services featured.
Table of Contents
You might have never heard about tooth powder before, but it was actually the antecedent to toothpaste and created thousands of years ago.
This dental care product is thought to have been invented by the Romans to clean and polish teeth as well as eliminate unpleasant mouth odor. The very first version of tooth powder contained ingredients such as eggshells, animal bone ash, and myrrh.
Tooth powder was still widely used up until the nineteenth century, although slightly modified with some other ingredients like baking soda, herbs, plant oils, chalk, and salt.
Nowadays, tooth powder is crafted to suit a variety of dental needs such as removing odor or whitening teeth. But despite differences in the formulas of products, some of the commonly-found ingredients still include baking soda, essential oils, and medicinal herbs.
So what sets tooth powder apart from toothpaste? Tooth powder is usually made with naturally-derived ingredients and doesn't contain fluoride. Therefore, it's a better choice for those with sensitive teeth and gum.
Studies have also shown that tooth powder may be more effective in removing plaque and controlling gingivitis. In addition to abrasives, toothpaste consists of humectants and thickeners to get a smooth texture. Therefore, it's less concentrated than tooth powder and might not be able to remove stains as effectively.
Tooth powder hasn't been widely studied, but it has been around for a long time. Tooth powder may do a better job at removing stains and reducing plaque because of the concentrated ingredients of baking soda, essential oils, and medicinal herbs.
If you're not cavity-prone and you're sensitive or allergic to fluoride, giving tooth powder a go can be a good idea to find better ways to improve your oral health.
In this buying guide, we'll talk about some key points that you might want to take into consideration such as the abrasive ingredients and the flavor.
Abrasives are an indispensable part of all tooth powders. They help eliminate discoloration as well as remove plaque and stains from the surface of your teeth.
However, not all abrasives work the same way. Some might be too harsh on your teeth and can even damage their enamel. Meanwhile, some might be too weak and can't really eliminate tough stains like coffee, tea, or nicotine stains.
Clays such as kaolin, bentonite, and French green clay are excellent options to help you achieve that pearly smile. Kaolin clay and bentonite are especially great at whitening and polishing your teeth and won't irritate sensitive teeth and gums.
French green clay has antibacterial properties to help impede the growth of bacteria that cause tooth decay. All clays are rich in minerals that help strengthen the health of your teeth such as calcium, potassium, and phosphorous.
Be careful using clays when whitening teeth! Although they're effective, some can be very damaging to tooth enamel. Abrasive products can also lead to gum recession. Bentonite clay can be abrasive on the enamel and gums, but Umbrian clay is relatively nonabrasive.
The thought of brushing your teeth with some black charcoal powder might not sound that compelling, but--even though there isn't conclusive evidence yet--charcoal may actually deliver various benefits to your oral health.
Besides removing plaque effectively, some research shows it can possibly balance the pH level of your mouth because it attracts acids. Keeping a pH of 6.2 to 7.6 is particularly important since below that you run a risk of tooth decay. It's easy to check the pH level of your mouth with a pH testing strip, or ask your dentist to measure it.
However, the reason charcoal removes plaque is that it's abrasive. There are many who say it whitened their teeth and had no unwanted effects, but there are few studies on its use.
More research needs to be done on activated charcoal for dental professionals to confidently promote its benefits. Like most abrasives, use it moderately and gently; it could lead to permanent damage to your teeth and gums.
Baking soda, also listed as sodium bicarbonate in an ingredient list, is another ingredient that can help whiten your teeth and remove discoloration. It isn't abrasive to the point of damaging your tooth enamel but is still effective in blocking the accumulation of plaque.
Baking soda is often combined with other abrasives such as clays in order to boost its whitening and cleansing power.
Baking soda is also found in toothpaste and helps to gently whiten and remove plaque when brushing. However, if you brush with it too aggressively, the abrasive particles and the excessive forces put on by the toothbrush bristles can damage your enamel.
Bacteria exist everywhere in the mouth. While most are harmless, there are also bad ones that can induce dental decay and gum disease. T. denticola and P. gingivalis are two common types of bacteria that can lead to bleeding and inflamed gums. S. mutans is a kind of bacteria associated with tooth decay.
Many abrasives such as bentonite clay can only help hinder the growth of bacteria to some degree. Products that can actually eliminate harmful bacteria include essential oils with powerful antibacterial properties such as spearmint oil, peppermint oil, orange, cinnamon, and others.
Those essential oils might impart a taste and smell to your tooth powder as well. Since tooth powders without any flavorings might taste a bit dusty, having essential oils in the formula is a natural way to make using tooth powder a little bit more pleasant. There are traditional mint flavors and warm, spicy flavors like cinnamon.
Tooth powders with essential oils are almost guaranteed to boost their effectiveness. Some essential oils such as peppermint, basil, and thyme oils are known to kill bacteria. Essential oils also help flavor the tooth powders for a more pleasant brushing experience.
Some tooth powders are only recommended to use once or twice per week, but others can replace regular toothpaste. There are also those that should be used after you finish brushing your teeth with regular toothpaste.
If you want to ease into using tooth powder, one that is used in combination with toothpaste might be a good place to start.
I would read about the ingredients listed in tooth powder,s such as which clays and essential oils are involved. Like with all brushing methods, brush gently along the gum line to effectively remove bacteria and prevent gum recession.
Tooth powders may be a great addition to improve your oral health, especially for those with gum disease.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Price | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | One Living Earth Black Pearl Teeth Whitening Powder | $14.99 Mid | Activated Coconut Charcoal to Whiten the Teeth | ||
2 | Primal Life Organics Dirty Mouth Tooth Powder | $19.97 High Mid | Spearmint Oil to Freshen the Breath | ||
3 | Frau Fowler Mouth Medic Tooth and Gum Powder | $9.97 Low Mid | A Combination of Essential Oils to Prevent Tooth Decay | ||
4 | Simply Sooney Peppermint Tooth Powder | $16.99 High Mid | Peppermint Oil and Bentonite Clay Leave Your Mouth Feeling Refreshed | ||
5 | Vicco Vajradanti Tooth Powder | $11.96 Mid | Indian Tooth Powder Formulated With Medicinal Herbs | ||
6 | Eco-Dent Baking Soda Tooth Powder | $6.99 Low | Baking Soda to Effectively Remove Stains | ||
7 | TheraNeem Neem Tooth and Gum Powder | $7.79 Low Mid | Neem, Cinnamon, and Cardamom for Healthy Teeth | ||
8 | Beaueli Activated Charcoal Teeth Whitening Powder | $12.95 Mid | Charcoal to Remove Tough Coffee and Tea Stains | ||
9 | OraWellness Shine Remineralizing Tooth Whitening Powder | $29.94 High | Bone Powder and Kaolin Clay to Whiten Teeth |
This vegan tooth powder from One Living Earth contains activated coconut charcoal which is effective in removing stains and brightening your teeth. Charcoal may also help freshen your breath by eliminating odor-causing bacteria. On top of that, this product is formulated with bentonite clay which has silica and calcium to help remineralize your teeth.
Some people complained that this charcoal tooth powder was messy and they had to spend a long time wiping up the black powder. It turned some users' teeth gray.
Nonetheless, for the majority of reviewers, this charcoal tooth powder worked wonderfully in whitening their teeth. Those with sensitive teeth and gums were also pleased that this product didn't cause any pain and actually helped reduce their sensitivity. Another plus point for others was that the powder had a neutral taste.
Bentonite clay, French green clay, and kaolin clay work together to inhibit the growth of bad bacteria, prevent tooth decay, and whiten your teeth. The addition of sodium bicarbonate further brightens and prevents discoloration. This product also boasts spearmint oil that can help freshen your breath and improve your overall oral hygiene.
Some people said that the tooth powder left their mouth feeling a bit gritty. Nonetheless, this product wowed many reviewers with its effectiveness in removing stains. The natural formula helped alleviate swelling and bleeding gums while removing plaque build-up. Others found their mouth much more refreshed and clean.
This tooth powder from Frau Fowler doesn't contain fluoride and is crafted from natural ingredients like essential oils to eliminate harmful bacteria that cause tooth decay. It can remove plaque effectively to leave your mouth feeling refreshed. Moreover, calcium carbonate and salt supply the teeth with essential calcium, boron, strontium, and other trace minerals to aid in teeth remineralization.
Some buyers noted that this tooth powder was quite strong and warned against putting too much on the toothbrush. A few others were not really happy with the packaging since it didn't really keep moisture away and might cause the powder to clump up.
However, this product was a hit for many reviewers thanks to its whitening power. In fact, various buyers found that their teeth and gums felt stronger and cleaner.
One of the ingredients in this tooth powder is peppermint essential oil which can leave you with a refreshing, minty taste. The formula also contains bentonite clay, an effective abrasive that can bind to debris and oils to help uproot plaque.
Another special point about this product is that it's crafted in small batches to ensure quality. The jar is also made from recyclable plastic to reduce waste.
Reviewers noticed a major difference in the condition of their teeth, saying they looked whiter and felt stronger without any plaque residue. They also appreciated the little scoop that came with the product. With it, there was no need to dip the toothbrush directly in the jar at all.
This tooth powder is made with 18 different Ayurvedic medicinal herbs that are widely used in India to preserve health and prevent diseases.
Specifically, extracts of cinnamon, babul (Indian gum arabic tree), clove, and jambhul (blackberry fruit) can heal inflamed and bleeding gums as well as sensitive teeth. Their strong antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties also help prevent infection and tooth decay.
Some buyers were not that into the bitter medicinal taste of the product, but most reviewers all agreed that this tooth powder worked like a charm in cleaning teeth.
Those with bleeding gums even called this powder a life-saver since it helped stop bleeding and heal their gums effectively. Others further mentioned that the product cleared out plaque and lessen teeth sensitivity.
The main abrasive of this tooth powder is baking soda to help you naturally eliminate plaque and stains. The formula also features a blend of cinnamon and spearmint oil which contain strong antibacterial properties and can freshen your breath.
A few reviewers noted that this tooth powder left an unpleasant aftertaste. Still, most buyers were satisfied with the quality of the product and commented that it left their teeth and gums feeling healthier and cleaner. They say it's gentle and keeps their breath fresh a long time.
This product contains ingredients that have long been used to improve dental health, including neem, cinnamon, and cardamon extracts. They can fight bacteria that cause odor and tooth decay. Even more special is the addition of probiotics and vitamin D3, which are remedies for inflamed, swollen gums and sensitive teeth.
A few buyers said it left a bitter aftertaste. On the other hand, many reviewers shared that a small amount of this tooth powder cleaned their teeth thoroughly. They also noticed that their gums were stronger and had a healthy pink color after using it. Even their dentists were surprised to see the improvement!
This tooth powder touts nothing but activated coconut charcoal to help dislodge plaque and whiten your teeth. It can remove tough coffee, tea, and nicotine stains.
Reviewers mentioned it was messy to use. According to many, though, the tooth powder delivered whitening results. Those who were coffee and tea drinkers or smokers found their teeth looking cleaner and brighter.
If you're looking for a solution that can provide long-term tooth whitening results, consider this tooth powder from OraWellness! The formula contains mildly abrasive bone meal and kaolin clay which has been shown to eliminate stains and deliver various minerals to your teeth to remineralize them.
Various reviewers were happy with this product's whitening power and said they could really tell the difference. People who had sensitive teeth appreciated the natural formula that didn't irritate their teeth and gums and instead alleviated their sensitivity. Reviewers also loved the slight minty flavor that didn't feel too overwhelming.
No. 1: One Living Earth|Black Pearl Teeth Whitening Powder
No. 2: Primal Life Organics|Dirty Mouth Tooth Powder
No. 3: Frau Fowler|Mouth Medic Tooth and Gum Powder
No. 4: Simply Sooney|Peppermint Tooth Powder
No. 5: Vicco|Vajradanti Tooth Powder
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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