Researchers have developed a prototype tooth-whitening powder that is activated by the vibrations of an electric toothbrush, showing potential to both brighten stained teeth and support oral health in laboratory studies. The study, reported in the journal ACS Nano1,demonstrated that the powder when used with an electric toothbrush caused visible teeth whitening and helped restore enamel structure in lab tests, in addition to showing beneficial effects on oral bacteria in animal models.
Teeth may become stained over time due to factors such as genetics and consumption of foods and drinks like coffee and tomatoes, even with regular brushing. Traditional peroxide-based bleaching products, including strips and gels, work by generating reactive oxygen species (ROS) to break down stain-causing compounds, but they can also weaken tooth enamel, potentially leading to future staining or dental issues.
In the study, scientists led by Min Xing and colleagues created a ceramic powder composed of strontium, calcium and barium titanate ions, referred to as BSCT. When the powder is vibrated by an electric toothbrush, it generates small electric fields through a phenomenon called the piezoelectric effect. These electric fields trigger chemical reactions that produce ROS only during brushing, without requiring additional chemical bleaching agents.
Laboratory tests using human teeth that had been artificially stained with tea and coffee showed that brushing with the BSCT powder and an electric toothbrush resulted in visible whitening. After the equivalent of 12 hours of brushing, treated teeth were nearly 50 per cent whiter than teeth brushed with saline. In addition, the study observed that the powder’s mineral ions appeared to deposit on the tooth surface, supporting the repair and regeneration of enamel and dentin.
The researchers also tested the powder on rats fed a high-sugar diet. Daily brushing with the powder for one minute over four weeks was associated with changes in the oral microbiome, including reductions in bacteria linked to periodontal disease, such as Porphyromonas gingivalis and Staphylococcus aureus, and reductions in inflammation.
The BSCT powder has not yet been formulated into a commercial toothpaste or other consumer product. Researchers noted that while these early results are promising, further development and clinical testing in humans will be necessary before the powder can be recommended as an at-home dental product.
Reference
Xing, Min, Wenhao Qian, Xuanyong Liu, Jiajun Qiu, and colleagues. “Sr-, Ca-Doped BaTiO₃ with Synergistic Piezoelectric Catalysis and Microbial Balance Effects Enables Tooth Whitening for Home Oral Health.” ACS Nano (2026). https://doi.org/10.1021/acsnano.5c16997
