Perhaps you’ve heard of this one — the latest new trend in teeth whitening is using activated charcoal to whiten your teeth. Sounds crazy, right? Rubbing your teeth down and turning them completely black in order to whiten them? Well, as it turns out, this fad is almost certainly as crazy as it looks. Even worse — it could be downright harmful to your teeth! As your trusted cosmetic dentist in Liverpool, NY, the team at Mapleridge Children and Adult Dentistry wants you to make safe, informed decisions when it comes to your teeth — including teeth whitening.
The theory behind this bizarre new trend began in the makeup industry, where charcoal is commonly used in cosmetics to help absorb oils from the skin. It became a commonly circulated belief that activated charcoal powder could also be used to absorb stains from teeth by being mixed with water and brushed onto teeth and left to sit for a few minutes. This has become such a common trend that it can now even be purchased in a toothpaste form.
The problem with this theory, however, is that whitening teeth using charcoal has yet to be scientifically proven to be safe or effective. On the contrary, the American Dental Association has actually spoken out against the fad, highlighting the potential harm it can actually cause. What you’re actually doing when you use activated charcoal to whiten your teeth is scrubbing a highly abrasive material on your tooth enamel, which can begin to wear it down over time. Unfortunately, once eroded away, tooth enamel cannot be restored — meaning you are actually causing harm to your teeth by following this charcoal teeth whitening trend.
Not only are you potentially damaging your teeth, but the entire process can actually be quite counterproductive to the end goal. When you whiten your teeth, you’re whitening the enamel. If the enamel is eroded away, dentin becomes exposed — which is yellow in color. Not only can this be painful, as it causes sensitivity in teeth, but your teeth may actually end up looking worse than before.
Just because the charcoal teeth whitening trend isn’t safe or effective doesn’t mean there aren’t other safe ways to whiten teeth! In fact, Mapleridge Children and Adult Dentistry specialize in a safe, convenient way to whiten your teeth from the comfort of your own home! Our family dentistry not only provides you with the supplies but even shows you how to complete the process on your own — meaning a brighter, whiter smile can be found right here at your local dentist, Liverpool, NY favorite Mapleridge Children and Adult Dentistry!
If you’ve been searching for a family dentistry in Liverpool, NY, look no further than Mapleridge Children and Adult Dentistry. We provide a wide variety of dental services for young and adult patients alike, including a great selection of cosmetic dentistry services — such as our safe teeth whitening service! If you’d like to learn more about teeth whitening or have any other questions about your dental health, please don’t hesitate to contact us. Don’t wait another minute longer for the brighter, whiter smile you’ve always dreamed of! Schedule your appointment now — we hope to see you soon!
If you have questions regarding the recipes above, or to learn more about healthy foods to eat that won’t cause damage to your teeth, contact us today, and our friendly team will be happy to help. To schedule an appointment for you or your child, give us a call. Have a happy summer!