Medical professionals are warning against using a DIY (Do it yourself) whitening trend that involves smudging a charcoal-derived black mixture on teeth. The method which dentists say may lead to enamel deterioration and tooth erosion, became an online sensation this month after YouTube user “Mama Natural” posted a video that details its execution began striking fire online. As of this morning, it has drawn close to 2million views.
In the video, the host Genevieve brushes her teeth with the supplement for 3-5 minutes before rinsing and proclaiming she then had seemingly whiter teeth. She said the product can be purchased in capsule form in health food stores or online.
“This stuff is highly absorbent; some of the most absorbent material on the planet,” Genevieve said in the video. “In fact, hospitals have it on hand in case someone comes in with a poisoning because it can absorb that stuff and safely remove it from the body. The same reasoning works for our teeth. It absorbs bacteria, toxins, and staining, and makes them whiter as a result.”
Dentists say from the cosmetics point of view that the results of the method may hold true for some users but the long-term internal effect may harm other people’s teeth. A spokesman for American Dental Association for the organization previously told Prevention the product is concerning because of its abrasiveness isn’t known and there is not enough evidence available to know whether the supplement is beneficial and that it may be dangerous. “Teeth are the only part of the ectoderm that does not replenish or heal itself once it’s gone, it’s gone. You can color your hair, you can pierce your skin, damage your nail, shave an eyebrow all of that comes back.”
The difference between using an approved dental tool, whether at home or at the dentist’s office, and a DIY remedy like charcoal lies in their approaches.
Approved products seep through the enamel and into the inner layer of the tooth called the dentin, which influences tooth color. Users and dentists don’t know how severe the charcoal supplement may be so it may leave teeth stained or blotchy. The trendy product may also leave tooth enamel susceptible to deterioration and erosion, which can lead to sensitivity and cavities. "When you lose enamel, teeth get sensitive and darker in color because you’re close to the part of the tooth that has the depth of the color, Since you can’t grow it back, the only thing you can do is cover it up with restoration." People will periodically use charcoal and over time, we’ll result in too much erosion.
To avoid these risks, patients who are interested in whitening their teeth are recommended to opt instead for formally tested dental procedures or at-home whitening trays provided by their dentist.
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