Walnut Bark Powder, also known as Derum is natural tooth brushing powder, made from powdered walnut tree bark. It is versatile and can be used as a tooth brushing powder, or made into a toothpaste or mouth rinse. It is well known for whitening the teeth and firming up the gums. Powdered walnut bark can be used to make dry toothpaste, wet toothpaste or a mouth rinse.
Ingredients
Juglans regia bark powder
Description
The bark consists of phloem fibres, cork cells and calcium oxalate crystals. The powder is dark brown with a bitter, burnt aroma and taste. This is a traditional tooth and gum product which has a long history of use.
The major components in walnut bark are the major components are phenolic compounds, terpenoids, alkaloids, flavonoids, steroids and ketones like juglone and regiolone. Juglans regia stem bark contains chemical constituents, namely, β-sitosterol, ascorbic acid5, folic acid, gallic acid, regiolone, and quercetin-3-α-L-arabinoside.
Benefits of Walnut Bark Powder for Oral Hygiene
Cleans and whitens the teeth by supplementing the composition of healthy enamel (not by bleaching). Consequently it takes several months for the full colour improvement to take place, although you will begin to see the improvement much sooner.
Strengthens and tightens gums, helping to prevent bleeding gums. Reduces inflammation of the gums.
Inhibits microorganisms representing Gram-positive bacteria like (Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus mutans), Gram negative bacteria like (Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and pathogenic yeast (Candida albicans) due the presence of juglons and glycocides.
Increased pH (making the saliva less acid) and reducing corrosion of enamel and dentine.
Reduces the adherence of bacteria by the presence of Polyphenols.
Keeps the mouth feeling fresh after use as a mouth wash for up to 3 hours after rinsing by reduced total streptococcal counts in salivary samples.
How to Use
Wet your toothbrush and dip it into the powder. Use for cleaning and whitening the teeth. Or mix with other dry ingredients such as ultra ventilated clay powder, bicarb etc
For Toothpaste - mix with a little water or coconut oil. Make up small quantities at a time.
Mouth Wash - Make up a solution containing 15g of Walnut Bark and 100ml of boiled water. Once cool enough to use, swish around the teeth for several minutes. This is very beneficial for the gums. Follow by rinsing.
Interim Treatment Loose Teeth
It is really important to make sure you are under the care of a dentist, but as an interim measure, use your finger to gently apply walnut bark powder to the gums around the loose teeth at night. Rinse out in the morning.
Interim Treatment Gum Abscesses
Again see a dentist and take their advice. In the meantime, cut a small piece of muslin cloth, fold walnut bark powder inside the cloth and place it next to the effected gum. Leave in place except for when eating or drinking and change two or three times a day.
General Advice
We encourage our customers to use a mixture of methods and techniques for cleaning the teeth to get a range of benefits.
We also sell natural floss:
Slightly minty Silk Floss by
Dental Lace
– these come in a glass vial and refills are available
WARNING
Do not use if allergic to walnuts.
Do not use during pregnancy.
Reference
Effect of derum (Juglan Regia L. Bark) extracts on Mutans Streptococci in comparison to chlorhexidine gluconate (in vitro study)
S. Kadum B.D.S, M.Sc.(1)Athraa’ M. Al-Waheb B.D.S, M.Sc.(2) J Bagh College Dentistry Vol. 22(1), 2010
