Episode 22

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Published on:

15th Dec 2025

22: The Whitening Breakthrough No One Saw Coming – The Shocking Science Behind Electric Charge Toothpaste with Dr. Rob Karlinsey

What if you could whiten your teeth without peroxide at all, simply by brushing with a material that creates its own electric charge?

What if whitening your teeth didn’t require peroxide at all, but instead relied on a natural material that produces an electric charge when you brush? In this episode of Dental Formulator’s Playbook, Dr. Rob and Tami explore how piezoelectric materials, especially Rochelle salt, may offer a completely different approach to tooth whitening.

Dr. Rob explains how piezoelectric crystals generate charge when pressed, why Rochelle salt stands out among natural piezoelectric materials, and how brushing friction could play a key role in stain reduction. They also discuss peroxide based whitening, enamel effects, alternative mechanisms involving chromophore reduction, the importance of abrasives, chelating behavior of tartrate salts, and how patents shape innovation in whitening technology.

Highlights

• Why a peer reviewed paper on piezoelectric whitening caught Dr. Rob’s attention

 • What piezoelectric materials are and how they generate charge under pressure

 • How early research by the Curie brothers helped define piezoelectricity

 • Why natural materials like quartz, sugar, DNA, and Rochelle salt can show piezoelectric effects

 • How Rochelle salt was first prepared in the 1600s in La Rochelle, France

 • Why Rochelle salt is considered a double salt containing sodium and potassium

 • How brushing friction and abrasives may help generate charges needed for whitening

 • Why the inventors patented the use of Rochelle salt specifically for whitening applications

 • How peroxide creates radicals and why it may soften enamel or increase sensitivity

 • Why Rochelle salt did not show enamel weakening in the whitening data Dr. Rob reviewed

 • How reducing chromophores like quinones to colorless forms may explain whitening without peroxide

 • How tartrate salts act as chelators and can influence stannous fluoride stability

 • Why abrasives and silica choice matter in piezoelectric based formulas

 • How zinc oxide could be another piezoelectric ingredient worth exploring

 • Why real validation still requires clinical testing and sensitivity evaluation

 • How patent strategy and first to file rules impact oral care innovation

📲 Connect with Dr. Rob (Robert L. Karlinsey, PhD)

🌐 Website: customdentalformulations.com

📄 Research Profile: Robert Karlinsey on ResearchGate

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About the Podcast

Dental Formulator's Playbook
The Dental Formulator’s Playbook is where science meets strategy in the world of oral health innovation. Hosted by Dr. Rob Karlinsey, a seasoned dental researcher and independent formulator, this podcast is your behind-the-scenes pass to what really goes into creating cutting-edge dental products.

Whether you're a dentist, a dental brand, or just someone curious about how toothpaste, rinses, and other oral care products are developed, you'll find practical insights and real-world takeaways in every episode. Dr. Karlinsey keeps it straightforward and engaging—no fluff, just clear, thoughtful explanations based on years of experience in the lab and the industry.

This show is all about helping dental professionals and product developers think differently, make better decisions, and stay ahead of the curve. If you care about science, results, and doing things the right way, you're in the right place.

About your host

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Robert Karlinsey

Dr. Robert L. Karlinsey is a scientist and formulator with almost 20 years’ experience in dental research. He earned a BS in Physics (University of Scranton) and PhD in Chemical Physics (Indiana University), with postdoctoral work in physical chemistry (Indiana University). As a visiting assistant research professor at the Indiana University School of Dentistry, his research led to an impactful encounter with Dr. George Stookey, and shortly thereafter, the formation of Indiana Nanotech, LLC (now known as Custom Dental Formulations, LLC), of which he spearheaded all research and small-scale manufacturing efforts. Dr. Karlinsey is the inventor of Nanotech’s functionalized tricalcium phosphate systems, which continue to help generate over $100MM in global product sales for a major dental manufacturer. As Principal Investigator, his work has received significant funding through Federal (National Institutes of Health), State (Indiana and Texas), and industry grants and contracts. His research in patented calcium phosphate technologies continue to help generate over $100MM in global product sales. Previously, Dr. Karlinsey has served as Chief Scientific Officer at Therametric Technologies, Inc, and adjunct professor of chemistry at the University of Indianapolis.

Dr. Karlinsey addresses clients’ needs in preventive and cosmetic dentistry, including fluoride- and fluoride-free remineralization, antiplaque/gum health, whitening systems, and more. He is actively involved in clinical and laboratory research designs and performance-backed, customized oral care formulation solutions. And, whenever possible, he favors natural, nature-derived, and/or sustainably sourced ingredients