![]() |
Activated Charcoal: The Future of Oral Hygiene and Dental Care |
Activated Charcoal: The Future of Oral Hygiene and Dental
Care
The first impression is the last impression, goes an age-old saying. Research by
prominent psychologists reveals that one of the very first things that
strangers notice about a person is their smile, or more specifically, their
teeth! Shining white teeth with a pearly glow are not just great for
appearance. More importantly, they directly indicate oral health and dental
hygiene. As you know, teeth are permanent and serve you through your entire
lifetime. It is of paramount importance that you give them the necessary care
and attention and prevent damage before it reaches an irreversible stage.
Over the course of the 20th century, modern technology has enabled the medical industry
to progress in leaps and bounds, especially in the sector of dental care. It’s
been a gradual process and for a very long time, dental care remained
restricted to hospitals and dentist clinics. While skincare, bodycare and other
aspects of overall health have made significant progress in terms of
convenience and ease of access, the same could not be said of home dental care.
Today, however, cutting-edge tools such as electric toothbrushes, fluoride mouthwashes, and corrective mouth guards have empowered people to avail professional-grade dental care in the comfort of their homes. One of the most common yet effective home dental care techniques is teeth whitening. professional-grade dental care in the comfort of their homes. One of the most common yet effective home dental care techniques is a teeth whitening
What is teeth whitening?
It is a simple, quick, and an effective way to get rid of stains, discoloration and yellowing of teeth.
Staining of the teeth is common and can be short-term or long-term. Stains that
develop because of poor long-term oral hygiene such as excessive smoking,
drinking, irregular brushing, and lack of flossing are much more difficult to
get rid of it. These intrinsic stains are usually accompanied by discoloration and
yellowing.
Teeth whitening is a short-term process
that removes tough stains through the use of bleaching agents, such as hydrogen
peroxide, which is an antiseptic substance. Peroxides in general are good for
whitening as they are lightly corrosive and penetrate the outer layers of the
teeth in order to get rid of deeper stains. In recent times, the most effective
substance for improving the color and appearance of teeth, has been identified
as activated charcoal.
What is Activated Charcoal?
You would be forgiven for
wondering what all the fuss is about! After all, how is a black, hard material
supposed to whiten anything? Well, activated charcoal is a little different
from the charcoal used in grills and for burning. It is a fine black powder
that is obtained from coconut shells, olive pits, wood shavings and other
natural substances by processing them at an extremely high temperature, to activate them.
This activation is the reason for
the substance’s usefulness, as the process results in a tremendous increase in
the charcoal’s surface area, making it extremely absorbent and porous. It is
interesting to note that activated charcoal itself is not a recent phenomenon
and its porous property made it useful as an antidote to poisoning in the past!
This benefit is compounded by the fact that activated charcoal is not absorbed
by the body and can be disposed of by the digestive system easily.
On the microscopic level, activated charcoal has displayed a
tendency to bind itself to bacteria and germs. This enables it to promote
fresher breath, cleaner gums and increased oral hygiene.
How does Activated Charcoal Work?
Bleaching
agents such as hydrogen peroxide are available in liquid form. However,
activated charcoal cannot be taken and simply rubbed onto the teeth. Therefore,
it is infused into toothpastes and more effectively, strips.
Teeth
whitening strips are arguably the simplest and most popular whitening products on
the market today. They can be applied onto the lower and upper teeth for a few
minutes and removed, without the involvement of any further action such as
brushing or rubbing.
Activated
charcoal whitens teeth with the help of its absorbent properties, large
surface area, ability to bind onto dirt and germs, and its corrosive nature. It
is important to remember that activated charcoal is a natural substance and is
much safer than chemicals but at the same time, one must be careful while using
it.
How to Use Activated Charcoal Products?
The key to using activated
charcoal is to remember that it is a substance that is designed for short-term
use. The corrosive nature of the substance allows it to clean teeth and give
them a healthy glow but it is also a property that can prove to be harmful, if
used incorrectly.
Teeth whitening strips are meant
to be used in courses that last around a week to ten days. Like most products
containing activated charcoal, they are not meant to be used on a daily basis
over an extended period of time. Depending on strength and effectiveness, teeth
whitening strips are to be applied for 10-30 minutes per use.
Excessive and unnecessary use of
teeth whitening products can be enormously detrimental to dental health in the
long run. The corrosive nature of hydrogen peroxide activated charcoal and
other bleaching agents can damage the hard outermost layer of the teeth, known
as enamel, which is the hardest substance in the body and the primary
protection for the teeth.
Using teeth whitening products for too long and
too frequently can cause this protective layer to wear away, leaving teeth
susceptible to damage such as cavities, chipping and more commonly, dentinal
hypersensitivity, which is the term for teeth that cannot withstand extreme
temperatures. Understand that teeth whitening is not a miracle that can take
care of your teeth by itself. It is not an excuse for you to compromise on
basic, regular oral hygiene habits such as brushing twice a day and flossing.
Do not miss out on your dentist appointments either and be sure to inform and
consult with your dentist while using home dental care products.
However, that shouldn’t deter you from making the use of these products that have revolutionized dental care, making it easier, faster, and more effective than ever before.