Some people are convinced that “all-natural” products are the way to go – and this includes toothpaste made from natural ingredients. Charcoal toothpaste has become more popular in the past few years as a natural solution and a product that whitens teeth, but is it something you should be using?
Why do people use charcoal toothpaste?
First of all, you should know this isn’t the same kind of charcoal that you use to light your barbecue. It is made from natural materials, such as wood and coconut shells, that are ground into a fine powder. It is a big trend now to use charcoal in beauty and health products, such as face scrubs, face masks, and, of course, toothpaste.
Besides wanting a natural product, people may use charcoal toothpaste because they don’t like the mint or cinnamon flavor that other toothpastes have. Other people swear that their charcoal toothpaste helps to keep their teeth white, removes stains, and even prevents bad breath.
However, there is no real, scientific proof that charcoal toothpaste really does these things. It can actually end up making teeth look less white and more dingy – charcoal is abrasive and can wear down tooth enamel. This not only makes teeth more sensitive, but this exposes the dentin underneath, which is yellow.
Most brands of charcoal toothpaste also don’t have fluoride in them, which is an important ingredient for keeping teeth healthy. And, yet another reason why you might not want to use charcoal toothpaste is that no one is really sure what the long-term effects of using charcoal toothpaste might be, and it is also unclear how it might affect veneers, bridges, and other restorations.
Deciding on a toothpaste may seem like it should be an easy decision, but for some people it’s not! Maybe you want a natural toothpaste, or maybe you are looking for something besides those “minty” toothpastes that irritate your mouth. If you need help finding the right toothpaste for you or with keeping your oral health the best it can be, the staff at Avenue Dental can help. Call the office in Ypsilanti, Michigan, for an appointment, at (734) 484-4710 today!