White teeth are widely revered many countries. Hollywood, advertising, and social media have helped to make ultra-white teeth a must-have, and even an obsession. For decades, people have used peroxide-based chemical whiteners an attempt to get a perfect set "pearly whites". However, these chemicals can damage the teeth and gums. Help is now hand those of us who have stained or off-white teeth. Researchers in China say they have created an effective teeth-whitening ceramic powder. Researcher Min Xing said it is "a safe, at-home teeth-whitening strategy integrating whitening, enamel repair, and microbiome balance long-term oral health".
The researchers wrote how their new powder works. It is activated electric toothbrush vibrations, which create a small electric field the teeth. This causes a reaction known as "reactive oxygen species". These are compounds that break stain-causing molecules. The researchers said their laboratory trials were very promising. They tested human teeth that were artificially discoloured tea and coffee. After four hours brushing, there was visible whitening. After 12 hours of cleaning, the teeth were 50 per cent whiter than those brushed saline. The researchers said the next step is to incorporate the powder a toothpaste formula.
