Facts and Fancies of Charcoal Whitening
Where did the idea that activated charcoal can whiten teeth come from? Actually, using charcoal to clean or whiten teeth goes back to ancient Roman times. Powdered charcoal was used in their toothpaste. Activated charcoal has other medical uses. One primary use is to help treat those who have been poisoned, as charcoal helps to absorb certain toxins, or stop the process of poisoning. Now, the National Institutes of Health points out that activated charcoal is often used to treat severe cases of toothpaste overdose.
Now, other oral healthcare products contain activated charcoal. The Oral Health Foundation, a UK-leading oral health charity, is examining these products following research showing that there is insufficient clinical and laboratory data to substantiate the safety and efficacy claims of charcoal and charcoal-based oral health products. The foundation is concerned that consumers may not fully understand the product composition and that it may do more harm than good.
The trend is very fashionable, as activated charcoal is appearing in everything from face masks, deodorant, lip balm and increasingly, in toothpaste. The toothpaste trend is being fueled by celebrity endorsers, and consumers are believing. Most of the time, these celebrities could have had professional tooth whitening; their smiles may not be a direct result of using charcoal products. The foundation says that evidence may be anecdotal, superficial and not long-lasting.
New research says that there is no concrete evidence to back up the whitening claims and the toothpaste products may be actually harmful as they do not contain the effective ingredients to help prevent tooth decay. Toothpaste needs to contain 1,350-1,500 parts per million of fluoride to actively protect teeth from tooth decay, but many toothpastes containing activated charcoal fall below this level and are putting users at an increased tooth decay risk .Some products may be too abrasive and frequent use can wear away the enamel exposing the yellow dentin. It will not only cause sensitivity but teeth can look yellowish instead.
It is important to realize that professional whitening services provided by a dental professional is the effective way to get whiter teeth safely and effectively.
Safety and Efficacy First in Lynnwood
Know more about charcoal-based dental products and their claims from your Lynnwood dentist. It may not always be safe to follow trends, no matter how popular. Understand why professional whitening is your best and safest option for brighter
