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How Do I Choose the Best Tooth Powder?

Alicia Sparks
Alicia Sparks

Look for tooth powders that cater to your specific gum and teeth cleaning needs, such as cavity prevention, plaque removal, and even problem gums. Many tooth powder brands and formulas also are known for their environmentally and animal-friendly policies. If these issues are important to you, compare tooth powders that boast natural ingredients and cruelty-free methods. To get the best quality and price, always shop around and either talk with other customers or read product reviews. Keep in mind that you can make tooth powders at home using ingredients typically found around the house.

Generally, tooth powders provide certain benefits that regular commercial toothpaste can’t provide, and these benefits attract consumers. For example, you might want a tooth powder that claims to be less harsh or abrasive than commercial toothpaste but still able to effectively remove plaque. Some tooth powders promise to help improve gum health, including healing and improving the condition of receding or infected gums.

A cross section of a tooth.
A cross section of a tooth.

Many companies boast all-natural and organic ingredients in their tooth powders, as well as formulas that aren’t tested on animals. If these features are important to you, look for a tooth powder void of ingredients such as artificial coloring, preservatives, and fluorides. Ingredients like sea salt, which acts as an abrasive, natural chalk, and certain essential oils like peppermint, eucalyptus, and wintergreen are common ingredients in natural tooth powders.

Tooth powder.
Tooth powder.

Many retailers that sell oral and dental health care supplies sell tooth powder, but you might have the most success shopping with drug stores and health and wellness stores, either online or in person. Price probably won’t play too much of a role in your decision, because overall, tooth powder is priced similarly to regular commercial toothpaste. If you can’t find local drug or health stores that sell tooth powders, you might pay a bit more for the shipping and handling costs of ordering from an online retailer. Compare the brands and prices of various tooth powders, and ask about return policies and money-back guarantees if you’re unsatisfied with the product. Read product reviews and talk with other people who use the tooth powder you’re considering.

Most tooth powders are baking soda based.
Most tooth powders are baking soda based.

If you have a do-it-yourself (DIY) mentality, you may choose to make your own tooth powder. Overall, making tooth powder is simple and inexpensive, and requires ingredients you probably already have in your home. Thanks to the Internet, it’s easy to research various recipes for DIY tooth powders. Still, most recipes include some variation of baking soda, salt, and oil such as peppermint or wintergreen for a mint aftertaste and breath benefits. Avoid any recipe that includes ingredients you’re allergic to, and talk with your dentist if you have oral or dental problems that require special kinds of toothpaste.

Discussion Comments

Rotergirl

@Pippinwhite -- I think you'll be pleased with the change. I had to do that because I was getting some kind of fungal infection. I don't know that sodium lauryl sulfate was a factor, but when I switched to tooth powder, the fungus went away permanently.

Normally, I'm not one of these people who sees conspiracies and evil under every rock, but I do think more research needs to be done on some substances and the effects of their long term use.

At any rate, I know using tooth powder helped me. It certainly can't hurt to try it.

Pippinwhite

I really need to look into getting some tooth powder. It doesn't have sodium lauryl sulfate in it, and I think I'm sensitive to that. I've been getting a lot of mouth ulcers lately, and it's happened since I stopped using a paste that didn't have SLS in it.

I read where SLS can cause small tears in the tissue, which can lead to canker sores. If that's the case, I've got to do something, then. I've had it with having one or two mouth ulcers every month, and if tooth powder can take care of the problem, I'm all for trying it.

I guess I'll have to look online to see where it's sold, or try to make my own. I've got baking soda and peppermint extract.

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    • A cross section of a tooth.
      By: Andrea Danti
      A cross section of a tooth.
    • Tooth powder.
      By: fet
      Tooth powder.
    • Most tooth powders are baking soda based.
      By: Franny-Anne
      Most tooth powders are baking soda based.