Activated-charcoal toothpastes vs Whitening toothpastes
Lately a growing trend in the market are various products combined with activated-charcoal that includes a wide range from face masks, shampoos , body scrubs, soaps etc and now TOOTHPASTES!
As a consumer one has to make so many decisions with respect to its effectiveness. With alot of misleading advertisements and biased reviews one ends up being more and more confused.
Hopefully this article could help you guide in your decision-making towards your toothpaste.
can ACTIVATED - CHARCOAL TOOTHPASTE whiten your teeth ??
There are no known research studies to show the effectiveness of activated charcoal for teeth whitening. The concern with DIY products that come in powdered form is that there is no way of knowing how safe or effective these are for the tooth surface and gingival tissues (gums). We know that activated charcoal is safe for absorbing toxins in the gut, but we have no idea what crushing a tablet, mixing it with water, and brushing your teeth can do. Some powdered forms can be too abrasive on your teeth and cause permanent loss of enamel and result in various dental health issues. Many individuals have experimented with this and posted various results online however some could easily be a photographic manipulation to advertise a particular brand.
Activated-charcoal is a great boon to science when used in purifiers. There is no doubt charcoal in such form attracts impurities from the surface it is in contact with, but its long term effects of daily use on teeth have not been sufficiently researched.
A relevant article in American Journal had mentioned that clinical experiences were recorded in which the particles get embedded into the gum margins and leave a bluish line which can be treated only surgically in some instances.Since dentistry is practised on Evidence-Based Research (EBR) , which is patient-centric, lack of research inhibits a lot of practitioners to advise charcoal-based toothpaste for permanent/long-term use.
WHITENING TOOTHPASTES :
If one is really keen on getting whiter teeth, get a professional consult regarding whitening treatments or whitening toothpastes containing peroxide components.
Whitening toothpastes contain the prescribed amount of carbamide / hydrogen peroxides which can be effective and safe. Especially for maintaining external stains related to coffee/ tea etc. Considerable amount of research has been done to determine the safety limits .Current products that are being used for professional teeth whitening are safer and certain risks associated can be highlighted by the doctor beforehand.
Best advice is to consult a dental professional for the right toothpaste for your overall dental health.