Charcoal (activated charcoal) for whitening teeth, is it really effective?

Normally, people clean their teeth with toothpaste and toothbrushes. However, recently there has been a new trend that is quite unique. Yes, what else but the trend to whiten teeth with activated charcoal. Activated charcoal, which is also called activated charcoal in Indonesian, is believed to be able to clean dirt so that teeth become whiter and shiny. Is it true? Check out the answer below.

Know charcoal (activated charcoal) and its uses

Relax, the activated charcoal referred to here is not the charcoal used to make coals when cooking. This charcoal is used for medical purposes. Activated charcoal is made by heating charcoal with gas to form large pores containing minerals. These pores will trap and trap various chemical compounds.

This activated charcoal can be used to treat intestinal gas, cholestasis during pregnancy, poisoning, and lower cholesterol levels. Activated charcoal is odorless, tasteless, and can be found in health stores and is also sold in pharmacies in tablet form. Even now you can get oral health products with activated charcoal, for example toothpaste or toothbrush.

Is it true that activated charcoal can whiten teeth?

According to drg. Mark Wolf, a dental hygienist from New York University College of Dentistry in the United States (US), activated charcoal has been widely used for various things, especially to absorb dirt or toxins. The pores that are formed on this activated charcoal will bind the dirt on the tooth surface.

Therefore, cleaning the yellowish substances on the teeth will be easier. Once this activated charcoal is attached to your teeth, it will start working right away. Activated charcoal also contains minerals that can help clean plaque and food debris on teeth.

Don't worry, even though activated charcoal is black, it will not change the color of your teeth. Activated charcoal will actually whiten your teeth.

So, should I use activated charcoal to whiten teeth?

Dentists and health professionals around the world do not recommend that you whiten your teeth or treat your teeth and mouth with charcoal. Because in addition to its potency in whitening teeth, charcoal or activated charcoal can damage tooth enamel and cause erosion of the teeth.

In addition, there are long-term effects that will occur when you use activated charcoal to whiten teeth. A dentist from Michigan, USA, drg. Susan Maples said that the tooth is the only part of the ectoderm that will not come back or heal on its own. So when a tooth is lost, it's gone forever. This is different from piercing your skin, shaving your eyebrows, or trimming your nails. All of these things can heal or grow again as before.

So, when you lose the enamel on your teeth, the teeth will become more sensitive. To avoid this risk, it is recommended that patients who want to whiten their teeth go to the dentist only. Do not use activated charcoal, especially if you have open wounds, abrasions, or abrasions. Always consult your dentist if you want to try this activated charcoal.