Tooth Powder vs Toothpaste: Which One Is More Eco-Friendly?

While you may be familiar with using toothpaste to brush your teeth, you may not have heard of tooth powder. What is tooth powder and how effectively can it clean your teeth? Can it replace toothpaste? Read on to find out more.

What Is Tooth Powder?

Tooth powder is believed to be the precursor to toothpaste. In ancient times, people would use various ingredients and crush them into a powder. They would then apply that powder to their teeth with some water to create a kind of powdery-paste that they would scratch along their teeth and gums.

It acted similarly to toothpaste in that it helped scrape off surface stains and remove bacteria.

The Ingredients of Tooth Powder

Most types of tooth powder contain baking soda, bentonite clay, activated charcoal, coarse salt, and powdered herbs in their recipe. The herbs range anywhere from clove to peppermint. Some also choose to add sweeteners to make the powder taste good, like stevia or xylitol.  

How To Use Tooth Powder?

If you're planning to make your own tooth powder at home, then you need to brush the necessary ingredients into a powder-like substance. Then store it in a glass jar preferably.  When you are ready to use, either dip your wet brush in the powder or have a small dish where you can add powder and a little water to make a paste.  

Once it's on your brush, you simply brush your teeth as you would normally with toothpaste.

Tooth Powder vs Toothpaste

If you're wondering whether you should switch to using tooth powder over toothpaste, here a few things to keep in mind.

Which One Is More Natural?

Both can be considered natural depending on what store you buy them from. Toothpaste does run the risk of being a bit less natural. It's often that companies will include fluoride or other chemicals in their formula.

Powder strictly uses natural ingredients although you may be able to find a store that also includes fluoride in their recipe.

Which One Provides Better Cleaning?

Both do a great job at cleaning your teeth and gums, the only difference is the extra benefits and convenience. 

Toothpaste usually contains carrier oils like coconut oil, which is extremely cleansing and healing. The potency of the essential oils might also be stronger in the toothpaste.  Tooth-powders usually use the powdered "plant". 

Regarding convinience,  some might find dipping their wet toothbrush in the powder messy and inconvenient, some might find it enjoyable.  Toothpowder is great for traveling, while toothpaste might leak a little.  

Which Is More Eco-Friendly?

They both can be Eco friendly.  Powder uses ingredients that are renewable, as long as is in zero waste packaging.  Toothpaste can be made eco-friendly provided that you buy it from a brand that carefully picks their ingredients.  Some brands of toothpaste are typically less eco-friendly due to their fillers and preservatives. 

Use The Best Option For Your Teeth/comfort and Nature

If you're concerned about living a zero-waste lifestyle, then you may be leaning towards tooth powder. Because ancient civilizations used it to clean their teeth, it's undoubtedly a bit more environmentally-friendly than toothpaste. However, where you buy your toothpaste or tooth powder is the most important consideration to make.

At Lucky Teeth, we have several zero-waste products that are environmentally-friendly. Our products contain essential oils and other natural ingredients designed to give your teeth and gums a thorough cleansing. It does this all while keeping the environment safe.

By using our products, you're able to choose your own preferred cleaning method between tooth powder and toothpaste all while being sure that you're doing your part in keeping the environment safe.