Dentists all around Toronto are being asked the same questions about charcoal and charcoal products for teeth.
Is it safe to use charcoal on your teeth?
Although activated charcoal is a well-known element that has been used around the world for cases of poisoning and cleaning – using it as a teeth cleaning product seems to have sprung out of nowhere, here in Toronto. When considering the safety of these new Instagram driven products, they are safe for the most part, but Toronto dentists do give a few precautions.
Most influencers will recommend using activated charcoal derived from coconut shells. But it can also be made from a number of things like petroleum (a byproduct of oil), coal, olive pits, sawdust, bone char, and even decomposed vegetable matter.
Is charcoal teeth cleaning effective?
According to Toronto dentists, activated charcoal does remove toxins and stains, however, it is an abrasive agent and dentists in Toronto don’t advocate using the product on the regular basis.
Charcoal toothpaste should be used sparingly, though a charcoal toothbrush may be safe to use on the daily basis.
Cleaning your teeth with pure activated charcoal is a messy ordeal that involves some serious clean up after, according to bloggers. You can expect your whole mouth and tongue to turn black, as well as your sink and possibly the clothes you’re wearing if you’re not careful.
It’s best to use the activated charcoal in the evening so you have a chance to properly cleanse your mouth off. The black gunk will penetrate places you did not expect, so take great care when cleaning up. It also tends to get sticky and you will need to wash your mouth several times before it’s completely clean.
How often should charcoal products be used?
Toronto dentists and medical professionals don’t recommend using the products on the daily basis, because overusing it can cause enamel stripping which essentially looks as stains on your teeth and make your teeth very sensitive to heat and cold. Activated charcoal whitens teeth with a magnet-like method, pulling the molecules that cause stains to the charcoal and binding them.
Some experts say that using a very finely ground activated charcoal is softer on your teeth and therefore doesn’t carry the same risk to your enamel. However, they also note that using this type of charcoal treatment is a risk to the gums. A number of Toronto dentists and experts in the field say that charcoal has a tattoo-like effect on the gums. The activated charcoal can permanently stain gums if it is used too often or excessively.
Overall, while there isn’t scientific research attached to the new trend of using activated charcoal as a means to clean teeth, seems that it has received mostly positive reviews when it comes to its effectiveness. Toronto dentists don’t have serious qualms about using the product, as long as it is done in moderation.
