Charcoal Toothpaste for Teeth Whitening: a Westchester County Dentist’s Perspective 

Charcoal toothpaste is the latest dental trend. But does it really deliver whitening results?

• Is charcoal toothpaste dangerous for my teeth?
• Is charcoal toothpaste good for you?

What is charcoal toothpaste and how might it be beneficial to your teeth?

Charcoal is a product of burning wood, peat, coconut shells, or other organic materials.  It has been used throughout the ages for medicinal purposes including cleansing the mouth.  Charcoal toothpaste is supposedly made of “activated charcoal” which has been treated, usually by reheating in the presence of a gas, to make it more porous to absorb and trap various chemicals, which is why it is used to treat accidental poisoning.

Charcoal Teeth Whitening: Pros and Cons

Proponents and marketers of charcoal toothpaste claim the ability to absorb toxic substances in the mouth and also to whiten teeth.  To date, there is no reputable clinical research substantiating these claims.  Some of the claims such as the ability to whiten teeth may function by removing external or extrinsic surface staining, but charcoal cannot remove the intrinsic staining the way peroxide based dental bleaching does.

Various other ingredients are added to the charcoal such as bentonite clay, betel leaves, flavoring agents and other ingredients.

IS CHARCOAL TOOTHPASTE SAFE?

Are there any dental safety concerns about using charcoal toothpaste?

These charcoal products are uncontrolled by any agency or evaluated for safety and efficacy by The American Dental Association.  Many of the products may be too abrasive for regular use and can possibly remove the enamel outside of the teeth or damage porcelain restorations such as veneers or crowns.  This abrasion can leave the teeth dull and even darker due to the underlying dentin showing through, and can also leave the teeth more temperature sensitive.

The “wild west” nature of charcoal toothpaste can also result in other additives that are potentially very harmful.  There is also some concern that activated charcoal may interfere with medications taken orally rendering them less effective.

Do you personally recommend charcoal toothpaste to your patients?  

I do not recommend charcoal toothpaste for all the reasons I have mentioned.  Our practice is a very scientifically based dental practice.   Besides being in private practice, I am also an Associate Clinical Professor at NYU College of Dentistry.   We teach our students that the procedures and products we use must be supported by scientifically valid clinical studies.  Unregulated medicaments of questionable value and unknown abrasiveness and other attributes do not have any place in clinical practice.  Not only does charcoal toothpaste not meet the criteria that I would use to recommend them,  they also may not have the fluoride or other preventive components that I feel are important in preventing dental disease.

In addition, they may also be too abrasive and damaging to teeth and restorative material.

For more information on charcoal toothpaste, click here to read my full interview in Prevention Magazine “Is Charcoal Toothpaste The Answer To Whiter Teeth?”

Bruxism (teeth grinding)  | Sleep Disorders

How do you stop teeth grinding? Keep reading… 

What is the reason for teeth grinding and why do people grind their teeth? 

There are different opinions as to why people grind their teeth.  Some think it is a stress habit.  Some think it is a discrepancy in the bite. Others think children grind their teeth because of an airway problem.  Many medications cause grinding and clenching as a side effect.

How would someone know they grind their teeth at night?

Signs of wear will be seen by a dentist in Westchester County, NY.  People who grind at night often wake up with sore tired jaws.  Many people grind or clench their teeth (same thing) during the day.

What are the health effects of grinding? 

Grinding can wear away the tooth enamel leaving them sensitive to temperature.

Grinding your teeth can cause loss of structure of the teeth at the gum line which can be sensitive and unaesthetic.

Teeth grinding can also cause loosening of the teeth.  Bruxism can cause jaw problems or TMD, which results in facial pain, chronic headaches, clicking in the jaw and can lead to osteoarthritis of the jaw.

Looking for TMJ/TMD Treatment in Westchester County, NY? Contact us today.

What is the effect on your teeth from grinding? 

Teeth grinding or bruxism is very detrimental to the teeth, the supporting structures of the teeth (bone and gums), and the muscles and joint which makes up the jaw mechanism.

Untreated bruxism can break teeth requiring their getting crowns or extraction and grind teeth down to the point that it involves the nerves of the teeth.

Teeth grinding can cause damage to the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) resulting in osteoarthritis of the joint with pain, grinding noises and clicking while chewing.

This parafunction can also cause chronic headaches due to the overworking of the muscles of the head and face.

What products do you recommend to help with Bruxism and teeth grinding? 

Evaluation by a dentist is essential.  An oral appliance can protect the teeth and jaws from night time grinding but it won’t stop the problem

Determining the cause and correcting it can be very effective.

Over the counter (OTC) oral appliances are available, but we don’t recommend them because of lack of proper bite and functional design.

In addition, OTC appliances are soft and people tend to chew them making the problem worse.

Why is it important to be aware of teeth grinding? What does grinding your teeth in your sleep mean? 

If you are grinding your teeth during the day it is important to become aware of it so you can catch yourself and stop the parafunction.  The rule is “lips together, teeth apart” unless you are chewing or swallowing.

Bruxism Harrison NY | Teeth Grinding Treatment |Westchester County, NY Dentist 

How do you know if you grind your teeth during sleep? 

If you want to gain more insight into teeth grinding and sleep apnea, contact us today to learn more about a sleep study and Solea Sleep. Contact us today to set up an appointment to get a better nights rest. Do you need a night guard for teeth grinding? Contact us today for an appointment.

Did you enjoy this article? Read our next article.. 

Why We Clench Our Teeth When We Sleep 

ABOUT ADVANCED DENTISTRY OF WESTCHESTER

Best General Dentistry in Westchester County, NY

Advanced Dentistry of Westchester’s Kenneth S. Magid, DDS, FICD and Sabrina Magid-Katz, DMD, are Westchester Magazine’s Top Dentists from 2009 to 2020. He is a Consumer Research Council of America Top Cosmetic Dentist, a professor of esthetics and the Director of Laser Dentistry at NYU College of Dentistry, a fellow of the International College of Dentists, and a fellow of the American College of Dentists. Sabrina Magid-Katz, DMD, is one of Westchester Magazine’s past “22 People to Watch,” as well as a “Rising Star – 40 Under 40” by the Business Council of Westchester.