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Electric-Toothbrush–Activated Powder Whitens and Repairs Teeth in Preclinical Study

The prototype has not been formulated into toothpaste or tested in people.

Overview

  • The ceramic powder, called BSCT, uses the piezoelectric effect under electric-toothbrush vibrations to generate reactive oxygen species for stain removal.
  • In lab tests on tea- and coffee-stained human teeth, visible whitening appeared after four hours, with nearly 50% greater whitening after 12 hours versus a saline control.
  • BSCT deposited strontium, calcium and barium ions on tooth surfaces, regenerating damaged enamel and dentin in laboratory evaluations.
  • In rats brushed one minute daily for four weeks, the powder helped rebalance the oral microbiome, reduced inflammation, and killed Porphyromonas gingivalis and Staphylococcus aureus.
  • The research by Min Xing and colleagues in Shanghai is published in ACS Nano, and next steps include formulation work, human safety and efficacy trials, and regulatory review.