The great thing about the internet is that it is now easier than ever to access information and tips, but it’s also easier to come across incorrect or misinformation on new products such as charcoal toothpaste.
So we thought we’d have a Q&A session with our dentists to see what their thoughts on some recent dental trends are:
Charcoal Toothpaste
Charcoal toothpaste has started hitting the shelves in the last few years and promises to get rid of stubborn long lasting stains. They look very interesting as they come as a black gel – completely opposite to the white toothpastes we’ve become accustom to.
Dr. Andrew
Charcoal toothpastes claim to whiten teeth using charcoal to polish away staining. This may be true – but it likely isn’t any more effective than traditional whitening toothpastes. Many whitening toothpastes contain an abrasive intended to lightly polish away superficial stains and charcoal does the exact same thing. The only difference would be charcoal is black and traditional whitening toothpastes use white silica (sand). A possible drawback to be wary of is that the black charcoal may get underneath leaky fillings and fine divets of teeth to leave extra staining. Also many charcoal toothpastes contain fluoride which can act as a sort of insurance against tooth decay so users may have to be more diligent with brushing.
Charcoal toothpaste are not harmful but they need to be used with care if they are used instead of traditional fluoride containing toothpastes. If patients wish to use it, we recommend using it together with, not instead of, traditional toothpastes.
Oil Pulling
Oil pulling can be done with coconut oil. A small amount is used to rinse around the mouth to draw or pull bacteria away from teeth to stop decay.
Dr. Montana
Oil pulling may play a part in mechanically reducing the amount of bacteria around teeth and gums as swishing around liquids or brushing teeth will disrupt bacteria colonies. By far and away the most effective way is to disrupt bacteria in your mouth is to brush and floss as the toothbrush bristles are very effective at breaking up the colonies. If patients wish to oil pull, we recommend still brushing and flossing your teeth to make sure you don’t expose yourself to a higher rate of tooth decay.
Using banana peels to whiten your teeth
Using banana peels to whiten your teethUsing the inside of a ripe banana peel to rub against your teeth to leave them whiter.
Dr. Sang
Banana peels contain a high amount of potassium and can be a mild abrasive. Just like any abrasive found in toothpaste, the banana peel when rubbed against teeth can hence rub off superficial stains. It would take a fair few times to get any whitening result. If using banana skins doesn’t tickle your fancy, using a traditional whitening toothpaste may get the same result. As the others have mentioned I certainly wouldn’t be using banana skin whitening instead of regular brushing or flossing!
Please contact us if you have any further questions.
