Brushing your teeth with abrasive toothpaste helps remove bacteria, plaque and stains.
Unfortunately, if toothpaste contains high abrasive levels, it may also wear out teeth’s natural enamel. Over time, this can lead to long-term damage to teeth, such as enamel erosion.
It is important to note that once the enamel has eroded, no treatments exist to restore it. Enamel erosion may advance the decay rate since the tooth’s dentin layer is exposed.
With increasing social media trends, the Dental Health Foundation has found abrasive elements, including Chalk, Charcoal, or Silica, used in teeth whitening products.
Individuals may begin to feel the effects of abrasiveness through increased tooth sensitivity. They may also experience sensitivity to temperature, acidity, or sweet foods.
When used sparingly, toothpaste with medium to high abrasive levels effectively cleans the surface stains of teeth.
Consequently, removing the top layer of stains can make teeth appear whiter. However, frequently using this toothpaste daily or weekly can break down enamel.
Similarities exist between ‘Abrasive toothpaste’ and sandpaper, whereby low-grade sandpaper can remove surface stains.
Otherwise, when used sparingly, natural abrasive toothpaste such as charcoal isn’t necessarily bad and can effectively remove stains, temporarily resulting in whiter teeth.
Unfortunately, with popular trends and accessibility to goods online, determining the clinical safety of whitening products has been difficult to regulate.
Because an individual’s oral health varies, such as enamel strength, tooth decay, or sensitivity, it is essential to consult a dentist regarding whitening. A dentist can then explain or prescribe teeth whitening procedures to suit patients’ needs.
Products recommended by dentists are often regulated and clinically tested. In comparison, the negative factors of teeth whitening products that are available online include:
- Not clinically tested,
- May not be governed by a recognised health organisation
- Or may not be suitable for a person’s current oral health
Alternatively, when purchasing or researching products (depending on the country), check the Relative Dentin Abrasivity (RDA). The RDA is the American Dental Association (ADA) measurement system developed to assess toothpaste abrasiveness.
The RDA helps to identify or detail a product with the ADA Seal of Acceptance.
The RDA helps define the long-term effects of toothpaste on enamel. The higher a product’s RDA score, the higher the abrasive level. A toothpaste’s RDA must not be higher than 250. An RDA range of 0-70 is usually safe.
As an example of RDA scores, research has concluded the following results based on popular Colgate Toothpastes (ref familydentisttree.com):
- Colgate Total (RDA) 70
- Colgate Sensitive Max Strength (RDA) 83
- Colgate Total Whitening (RDA) 142
- Colgate Tartar Control (RDA) 165
Since more studies and laboratory research are required, charcoal Toothpaste hasn’t received the Seal of Acceptance in the US. (ref huffingtonpost.com.au)
What are the effects of activated Charcoal Toothpaste?
Charcoal toothpaste, when used rarely, can remove the top surface layer of lightly stained teeth. Its higher absorption rate allows it to remove unwanted surface stains, making teeth appear whiter.
There are several reasons why Charcoal toothpaste should be avoided or used sparingly:
- Deteriorate Enamel
Enamel is the natural protective top layer of your teeth. Once the enamel has deteriorated, it exposes the tooth to decay faster, resulting in more damage to the tooth. - Effect on Gums
Charcoal’s abrasiveness may wear away at your gums. An often overlooked aspect of oral health, a gum graft is required to repair extensively damaged gum areas. - Irritation of soft tissue in the mouth
Since charcoal is an uncommon substance in the mouth, it may irritate the mouth’s soft ti, potentially resulting in or affecting ulcers, cuts, or abrasions in your mouth. - Charcoal toothpaste can harm your dental restorations
As a result of its naturally dark colouring and abrasiveness, charcoal may affect teeth restorations from previous dental work. Restorative dentistry may include Dentures, Composite or Porcelain Veneers, Dental Crowns, Bridges, Dental Implants and Fillings. - Professional clinicians have not extensively researched charcoal toothpaste.
There has been little extensive long-term research on Charcoal products. Understanding the importance of scientific lab research is essential. Since charcoal toothpaste has only undergone a few clinical studies, it’s safer to recommend clinically tested and long-established dental products rather than unknown products.
