How Does Activated Charcoal Whiten Teeth? Is It Real or Is It Dangerous?

How does activated charcoal whiten teeth? Is this a real solution? Could it be dangerous? An experts reveals all the answers, and they’re not what you’d expect!

A large number of videos circulates in which claims are that activated carbon is an almost miraculous substance to achieve teeth whitening. This information is not only false, but also involves significant risks, as the president of the General Council of Dentists points out.

Videos and notes of several influencers have appeared in recent months in which they talk about the supposed properties of activated carbon for teeth whitening. Several dentists, including the president of the General Council of Dentists, have strongly denied such information.

The president, being the expert, says that claims that ensure that activated carbon whitens teeth are not only false, but also pose serious risks to oral health. The expert also stressed the importance of consulting with oral health professionals, instead of giving credit to the unsubstantiated information circulating through social networks.

He added that activated carbon is a highly abrasive substance, so it can cause severe tooth problems. The worst part is that it doesn’t even serve to make whiter teeth.

How does activated charcoal whiten teeth?

The expert said that activated carbon is a substance that is obtained thanks to a chemical process in which coconut husk is used. Coconut husk, on the other hand, is aggressive, extremely, so when applied to the teeth, can significantly wear tooth enamel.

A worn tooth enamel creates great risks. Nerves are left more unprotected, and the consequence of this is greater dental sensitivity. Gums can also be affected, due to the substance’s aggressive nature.

What’s paradoxical is that, when you rub activated carbon on the teeth and wear down the tooth enamel, what you see is a layer with a name dentin. Dentin, in fact, is more yellowish than natural enamel. That is to say, finally, not only you take risks to oral health, but you also do not achieve =the bleaching effect.

And what happens in the videos?

There are many videos of influencers in which before and after scenes appear. The spectators observe yellow dentures on which the influencers apply activated carbon. Then, when rinsing it, it seems as if the teeth had an incredible white color.

What really happens with these images is a very basic optical effect. With coal, teeth look black. When rinsing them, the contrast with the previous image will cause them to suddenly look whiter, when it is not.

It is clear to the expert that this information is completely false. However, the impression that remains among the spectators is that the product is effective. Therein lies the risk of such messages: they present deceptive evidence that creates a sense of credibility.

The color of the teeth

The expert also emphasized that the teeth do not have a white color as such, but that their natural tone is ivory. Likewise, genetic factors, as well as the consumption of certain substances such as tea, coffee or tobacco, causes that natural tone to modify.

Not having ultra-white teeth does not mean that there are hygiene problems, or that there is a defect. It is just normal. The doctor emphasized that the important thing is oral health and not the deceptive aesthetic effects that are also dangerous.

It is advisable to brush your teeth at least twice a day, with a fluoride-containing toothpaste. Also, go regularly to consultations with the dentist and follow their instructions. The dentist is, as a matter of fact, the only and the ideal professional for teeth whitening processes application.

Teeth whitening does need the use activated carbon

Know that any process that you carry out on the teeth must be under supervision of an oral health professional. You should take as a guide neither what influencers say nor the information that appears on non-professional pages.

The dentist is the qualified person, not only to carry out the teeth whitening processes, but also to evaluate the oral health of each patient before applying any treatment. There are problems with gums, tooth decay or other abnormalities that make bleaching risky.

The procedure for teeth whitening requires careful monitoring so that it does not generate undesirable consequences. Likewise, the patient know all about the contraindications and risks of these types of procedures.

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