We all love a good DIY beauty project — but despite the rise of activated charcoal teeth whitening, your dentist is urging you to stick to a professional teeth whitening treatment in Hutchinson instead. Using charcoal to take stains off your teeth is one of the more damaging things we could imagine doing.
About the Charcoal Trend
Around this time last year, YouTube user Mama Natural uploaded a video that would have dentists shrinking back in fright — in it, she brushes her teeth with activated charcoal for 3 to 5 minutes, claiming doing so is the best way to remove all the bad stuff from your mouth (and even your body) to leave your smile the dazzling shade of white most of us desire.
A cheap beauty hack? Far from it. In reality, brushing your teeth with charcoal is likely only going to set you up for expensive bills at the dentist. Unfortunately, a lot of people took heed of Mama Natural’s advice and tried it for themselves… with varying results.
Why It’s Harmful
Activated charcoal found in pill form is highly abrasive and can be seriously damaging to your teeth. Think about the texture of your toothpaste — there’s a reason it’s so, um, non-abrasive. Your tooth enamel is the hardest substance in your body, but it’s not invincible. Brushing your teeth with something like activated charcoal is sort of like what would happen if you took heavy-duty sandpaper to the exterior of your car.
No matter how badly you want whiter teeth on the cheap, using charcoal as a toothpaste will almost certainly erode your tooth enamel, leaving you at a higher risk of everything from tooth sensitivity to tooth decay, breaks, chips, and, in the worst cases, even tooth loss.
Invest in Professional Teeth Whitening Instead
It’s not like there’s not already a way to whiten your teeth safely and effectively. Visiting your dentist for a professional teeth whitening treatment is by far the best choice when you want to brighten your smile — it’s the safest, most effective way to do so.
Most dentists offer take-home and in-office whitening. Both can lift stains and whiten teeth up to 8 shades brighter after the treatment is complete. Formulas like Opalescence and Opalescence Go, for example, also reduce sensitivity for more comfortable whitening.
As we gear up for the holidays, you may be wondering how you can improve your smile to look your best during November and December. For whiter teeth, dentists everywhere urge you to skip the charcoal and consult a professional instead!
About the Author
Dr. Grant D. Ringler has been providing comprehensive dentistry for our community since 1988. To learn more about general, restorative, or cosmetic treatments, including professional teeth whitening, you are invited to contact your dentist in Hutchinson at 620-860-0309.