Tooth powder is a mildly abrasive powder which is used in combination with a toothbrush to maintain oral hygiene. Many people in developed nations prefer to use toothpaste, which is simply hydrated tooth powder in a tube. Depending on where you are, commercially produced tooth powder may be easy or difficult to obtain, and you can also make your own at home with common household ingredients. Since tooth powder is often significantly cheaper than tooth paste, the product appeals to some people.

The primary ingredient in a tooth powder is, of course, an abrasive to lift plaque and food from the teeth. Baking soda is a common abrasive, along with salt or chalk. A soap may be included to encourage the tooth powder to foam. A tooth powder may also include antibacterial ingredients like tea tree extract, or a flavoring such as mint to make it more palatable. To use tooth powder, people measure out a small amount, dip a wet toothbrush into it, and brush their teeth as directed by a dentist.

While dental hygiene has improved immensely over the ages, tooth powder has actually been around for quite a long time. The Egyptians used it, for example, as the did ancient Asian cultures. Europeans tended to use plain toothbrushes with no water until around the 1800s, when tooth powders became popular. Many people made their own tooth powder, and some commercial preparations were actually quite dangerous, due to the use of toxic filler ingredients. Toothpaste began to be marketed in the late 1800s, although it did not catch on immediately.

For a very basic form of tooth powder, you can take advantage of the reaction between baking soda and peroxide, which will help to whiten your teeth while cleaning them. Tap a small amount of baking soda into your hand or a small dish, and pour peroxide over it. Dip your toothbrush in the foaming mixture and brush as you would normally. You can also use plain baking soda and water, if you prefer a tamer brushing experience.

Tooth powder can also be made more exciting with the addition of food-grade essential oils and extracts. Ingredients like mint and tea tree oil can leave your mouth feeling clean and crisp, while cinnamon can help fight microbes in your mouth and it will leave a warm feeling behind. Tooth powder can be kept in a tin or jar in the bathroom. You may want to encourage people to use a scoop to drop tooth powder into their hands, rather than dipping wet toothbrushes into the tooth powder; this will help prevent contamination.