Our patients are asking us how we feel about the latest craze in the path to whiter teeth, and it's covered in a pitch-black paste. Bloggers and vloggers claim that brushing with activated charcoal is an all-natural way to remove surface stains caused by coffee, tea and wine without bleach or abrasives. To prove it, they’re flaunting soot-covered teeth straight out of a horror movie. The result? Fluorescent white teeth after as few as one use, proponents say.
While you may have used charcoal in your skincare and juice routine (see the
pros and cons of ingesting it here), should you replace your
toothpaste with the powdery black substance?
Activated Charcoal: The Whitening Promise
There are some things that practically scream,
Don't put me in your mouth. Charcoal is one of them. But ever since
activated charcoal—coconut shells, wood, or peat processed to become super porous—made its way into beauty products, cleanses, and even ice cream, it seems everything is fair game.
The general thought with activated charcoal is that because it can bind to toxic substances in the body, it is a detoxifier in and of itself. (
Spoiler alert: It's not.) With toothpaste, the claim is that activated charcoal binds to roughness on the enamel of the teeth, absorbing any stains or dirt—and whitening teeth as a result.
Activated charcoal has been used for many things. It’s a purifying agent that absorbs impurities. While you’ll find activated charcoal in air filters, traditionally, hospitals and poison control centers use it to treat accidental poisoning or a drug overdose. Unlike the bricks you use for your backyard barbecue, activated charcoal’s enormous surface area is dotted with the numerous nooks and crannies that draw in and trap toxic substances in your gut like a sponge. The bad stuff is then carried out with your next bowel movement.
However, there's no evidence at all that charcoal does any good for your teeth. There could even be potential damage to your teeth and gums: like any abrasive, we’re worried about the effects on the gums and enamel on the teeth. We just don’t yet know about the safety and effectiveness of charcoal toothpaste in order to endorse it.
Better Ways to Whiten
There are other (safer, more effective, and less messy) DIY ways to whiten: try brushing with a baking soda and hydrogen peroxide mixture once or twice a week. Combine about 2 tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide with 1 tablespoon of baking soda. The mildly abrasive nature of baking soda (emphasis on
mild) can remove stains, naturally whitening the teeth, she notes.
Just remember: this isn't a replacement for your go-to paste—just an add-on to your routine if you're looking for a natural whitener. The main thing to
avoid in a regular whitening toothpaste is anything that's highly abrasive, particularly if you have thin enamel or receding gums, as a rough paste could cause more damage than good.
If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. If you want a gleaming white smile, let's discuss traditional whitening toothpaste for surface stains or over the counter treatments (like white strips) for deeper stains. If that doesn't work, we can help you evaluate your options for whitening treatments in our office. If you do go the DIY charcoal-route, we suggest using it sparingly and discontinuing if your teeth become sensitive.
Teeth whitening can help brighten up a dingy smile. There are many possible choices, from professional whitening in a dentist's office to do-it-yourself kits. Whatever you choose, it's important to get the facts ahead of time. Not everything you hear about teeth whitening is true. Check out these debunked myths.
Myth #1: It's too expensive.
The truth is teeth whitening doesn't have to cost a fortune. At-home tooth whitening is usually more affordable than the professional whitening your dentist does. But that doesn't mean all professional whitening will be out of your budget. Teeth-whitening kits run about $100. In-office professional whitening costs an average of $650. Costs vary widely, though. Some versions can cost as much as $3,500. Your dentist can set you up with at-home whitening trays for about $350.
Myth #2: It will make my teeth too sensitive.
Teeth-whitening solutions in teeth-whitening kits sometimes do make teeth more sensitive, but it’s not a permanent side effect. The bleaching solution may cause mild irritation to your gums as well. That's also temporary. And, there are ways to deal with this so you can still whiten your teeth. Wear the teeth-whitening trays or strips for a shorter amount of time. If you're supposed to apply the solution for an hour, do it in two 30-minute sessions. Take a break for a few days after you first start whitening your teeth. Also, use a toothpaste for sensitive teeth.
Myth #3: It can work for anyone.
Teeth-whitening solutions cannot always get teeth bright white—even if you opt for the pricey in-office whitening treatments. Whitening treatments don't work on dentures, veneers, caps, crowns or fillings. Teeth stained gray or blue, often from medications or trauma, might not whiten. Teeth stained brown might not whiten completely. But, teeth that are yellowish in color usually whiten the best. Talk to your dentist about whether your teeth are likely to respond well to whitening.
Myth #4: I just need to do it once.
Most teeth-whitening treatments need touch-ups. Professional treatments done in a dentist's office may last up to three years. Even then, you may need additional treatments after six months to a year. At-home whitening kits may need more frequent applications. It all depends on your teeth, the whitening solution you use, and your habits. Smoking and drinking coffee can make teeth discolor more quickly, for instance.
Myth #5: You must have the treatment in a dentist's office to get good results.
Not necessarily. Dentists use a concentrated bleaching gel and a light to help whiten teeth. They make sure the amount used is safe and apply something to protect your gums. And, even if you need to repeat the procedure, just one visit can provide results. The American Dental Association has not approved at-home bleaching strips, gel kits, and whitening toothpastes. They may be effective, but it's important to consult your dentist before trying any of them. Ask if a specific teeth-whitening kit would be safe for you. Get some tips to make sure you'll use it correctly.
Learn more about Downtown Dental's cosmetic whitening options.
Cosmetic dentistry isn’t about vanity: in fact, we regularly see a change in a patient’s entire health status when they begin to work from the inside out. Practicing self-care to get healthy and overcome insecurities absolutely results in better overall wellness: when patients focus on their own health and happiness, the result is beauty.
Many cosmetic dentistry patients wish they could just cover up their old, stained cracked or uneven teeth. Fortunately, dental veneers do exactly that. A veneer is really an architectural term: it just means a covering over something else. In the same way, a dental veneer is a thin piece of handcrafted porcelain, which is a glass, made to go over and bond/fuse to a natural tooth.
The traditional approach to veneers included an extremely thin, semi-translucent porcelain cap permanently bonded to the front of your tooth. Because these veneers are permanent, the tooth would require some preparation (grinding down) to ensure a seamless fit.
However, some patients don’t want any preparation of their teeth in order to place a cosmetic veneer. This is why PREPLESS VENEERS are a beautiful thing: the end product is a thin layer of porcelain that can be bonded to the person’s tooth without drilling the tooth down in size.
A minimally invasive "facelift" for your mouth
Prepless dental veneers provide the same aesthetic and functional benefits that porcelain veneers do. They are a good option for patients who want veneers but are hesitant to file down healthy tooth enamel.
CONSIDERATIONS
The most important element of a dental veneer is the skill and talent of your dentist. Not every dental office offers prepless veneers: some cosmetic dentists only offer veneers that require a lot of tooth grinding. Your dentist must be a HIGHLY trained and skilled provider to offer the best in conservative cosmetic dentistry. We believe that that non-invasive, no grinding type of porcelain veneers can be made to not only look natural but actually make the teeth much less sensitive.
Prepless veneers appeal to many patients because the procedure can be reversed. If you choose in the future to have your prepless veneers removed, your natural teeth will look like they used to before dental veneers.
As with any dental restoration, they will last longer if you maintain good dental hygiene, and not all veneer cases will lend themselves to no-prep or minimal preparation procedures.
Have more questions? Call our office at 615-254-1393 to learn more and to schedule your consult with Dr. Clark.
