Sir, bamboo salt has been used in Korean medicine for centuries as a folk medicine for the prevention and treatment of various diseases. Studies have shown bamboo salt to have anti-cancer, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial effects.1

Bamboo salt (also called as Jookyeom) is specially processed according to a traditional recipe using normal salt, bamboo, pine tree wood, pine resin, and yellow soil, combined at very high temperature.1 Sea salt is put into cases made from bamboo trunks with three years of growth and the ends are plugged with natural yellow clay. The assembly is roasted one or more times to make bamboo salt. The main ingredient of bamboo salt is sodium chloride salt. It is believed that the trace elements in the mud and bamboo make this form of salt healthier.2

Bamboo salt has been added to toothpaste and according to the manufacturer this toothpaste can prevent cavities, reduce plaque and gingivitis, soothe sensitive teeth, fight bad breath, whiten teeth, strengthen tooth enamel, prevent receding gum line and decrease mineral loss. Numerous bamboo salt toothpastes are available in Japan, Hong Kong, Korea and worldwide through the Internet (Fig. 1).

Figure 1
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Bamboo salt toothpaste

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Choi et al. conducted a study to evaluate the laboratory remineralisation effects of a dentifrice with bamboo salt and NaF on artificial caries-like enamel lesions, at both the surface and deep areas. The authors concluded that there was a significant increase in the level of the surface hardness and decreased mineral loss of the artificial caries-like enamel lesions. The test dentifrice also significantly decreased the lesion depth.3 Sohn et al. showed that when bamboo salt is used in dentifrices, it had an anti-plaque and anti-inflammatory effect.4

Over the years, dentistry has evolved from a practice based on folk cures to a structured medical discipline that relies on science and technology. Dentistry today is based on scientific evidence. More research and scientific data are needed before dentists can advise the use of dentifrices like the bamboo salt dentifrice for oral use. Dentists and the general public should be cautious before using products which have not been proven scientifically.