Manohar Dental Care Vizag

Monday, January 7, 2019

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The Risks of Brushing with Charcoal Toothpaste

Not only do you risk overdose, several other risks of using charcoal toothpaste have been brought forward.  The biggest concerns include:

Abrasiveness. Used regularly charcoal can damage tooth enamel and gum tissue.

Over-absorption. Charcoal may absorb beneficial items such as needed medications.

Constipation. Intestinal blockages and constipation can be a result of long term use of charcoal, in addition to black stools and a discolored tongue.

After effects. Even those who love charcoal toothpaste report needing to use regular toothpaste after a charcoal treatment to rinse it away and give fresh breath, otherwise a black residue may remain

No fluoride. Charcoal toothpaste can’t be used in place of regular toothpaste as it doesn’t contain the necessary component of fluoride, which fights dental decay. “Fluoride is nature’s cavity fighter and can cut tooth decay by up to 40 percent.” Source: Daily Burn

Unknown safety. There are few studies on the benefits of charcoal as a dietary supplement, so both short and long-term effects are unknown.

Unknown effectiveness. Charcoal’s whitening effect is largely speculative. There have been no scientifically accepted studies that confirm charcoal’s whitening claims.

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The Benefits of Charcoal Toothpaste

Brushing your teeth with charcoal toothpaste is a fad because the people who have tried it say it is effective, however there isn’t a specific measure of how long it took to see results or how much whiter their smiles became. Others believe it removes stains on teeth and bacteria from their mouths. The charcoal toothpaste makers claim it removes discoloration without bleaching.

But, that’s where it ends. According to WebMD, charcoal is best when administered by medical personnel to reduce the effects of poisoning or overdose. “When you take activated charcoal, drugs and toxins can bind to it. This helps rid the body of unwanted substances.” Source: WebMD Activated Charcoal

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Charcoal Toothpaste: A Dentist’s Perspective

Charcoal toothpaste is one of the trending topics in beauty these days, but why? You’ve likely seen it on social media, the use of activated charcoal in face masks, as supplements and even as toothpaste! It’s all due to its detoxification properties. However, just like many home remedies, there are skeptics and proponents. Let’s take a look at both sides and end with the recommendation from the American Dental Association. 

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How do I relieve the pain?

Sinus Infection

Tooth pain from a sinus infection feels dull, like pressure on your teeth. You can experience this just from significant pressure as well from a cold with sinus congestion or seasonal allergies.

How to relieve tooth pain from sinus pressure: see your doctor for prescription or over-the-counter remedies to reduce sinus inflammation and/or infection. If the tooth pain doesn’t subside with the clearing of the sinus issue, see your dentist.

Toothache

A toothache can be caused by a broken tooth, and those in the back of your mouth, especially on the top, can resemble sinus related tooth pain. But pain from a broken tooth or a tooth abscess will be more severe.  Any tooth pain with swelling of the gums is likely a tooth issue and not a sinus one.

Relieving tooth pain from dental concerns: Resolve the root cause of tooth pain by seeing your dentist. While over the counter tooth pain gels/products will help, they are only meant for temporary relief until you can get to the dentist.

Jaw Pain

Jaw pain usually impacts the areas near your ears, which can also be confused with the back teeth and sinuses. If you experience jaw popping, or noises when you open and close your mouth, or feel tenderness when chewing, it is more likely a jaw or tooth concern rather than a sinus one.

Stop jaw pain: See your dentist for options on bite adjustments, jaw realignment and oral appliances (mouth guards) to reduce tooth grinding, clenching or misalignments that result in jaw pain.

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Do I  See My Dentist or Doctor?

Take a look at your symptoms. If you are unsure, start with your dentist.They will  look at x-rays and the condition of your teeth to determine if you are grinding your teeth, have a tooth abscess, a cavity or other tooth and jaw related problems.

If your dentist determines all is well, the next step can be to your doctor or urgent care who can determine if you have a sinus infection or congestion and prescribe the right kind of allergy relief, antibiotics or pain relievers.

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How to Relieve Tooth Pain from Sinus Pressure

Spring has sprung and along with it seasonal allergies for many people. Beyond the annoying runny nose, itchy eyes and sneezing, those allergies can also cause allergy sufferers to experience tooth pain, especially those in the area of your sinuses – your upper molars.

We often see patients who aren’t sure if the facial pain they are experiencing is due to those pesky allergies and the related sinus pressure or if it has something to do with their teeth or jaw. Whatever it is, they usually want to know two things: How to relieve tooth pain from sinus pressure and Do I see a dentist or a doctor for this tooth pain?

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Veneers

Some stains will not respond to the traditional bleaching methods; in these cases, veneers could be an option to beautify your smile.

Timeline: Multiple visits will be required with final product delivered within two to three weeks

Cost: Expect to spend $700 – $1,000  per tooth.

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Boost

Another option only available at dental offices, Boost uses a hydrogen peroxide based power bleaching gel for removing stains with no special light required.

Timeline: Expect to spend one to two hours in the chair; results will be immediate

Cost: Again, you can expect to spend around $500

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Zoom Teeth Whitening

This procedure is only available at dental offices and uses a 25% hydrogen peroxide gel in conjunction with a special lamp to whiten your teeth.

Timeline: The procedure takes about 45 minutes and results are immediate

Cost: Expect to spend about $500

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Take Home Kits

Many dentists provide take home teeth whitening options. Options may include a ready-made kit or custom made trays with bleach. While some of these resemble the over-the-counter whitening kits, they typically contain a more concentrated level of bleach.

Timeline: Varies depending upon strength of bleaching agent, but generally one to two weeks.

Cost: Varies by dentist, but expect to spend around $150-$200

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Teeth Whitening At The Dentist

There are lots of teeth whitening options available only at a dentist office. Depending on your specific goals and needs, your dentist can recommend the options best for you. Options can include take home kits as well as in-office professional teeth whitening treatments, which can be done over a series of visits, or in one.

Having teeth whitening done professionally means there won’t be gaps in the coverage area (typical of whitening strips), nor will they be over bleached or cause damage to your gums (which can happen with in-home self-treatments).

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Natural Remedies

Natural remedies for teeth whitening include everything from eating healthier, jumping onboard a current trend, avoiding teeth staining foods and/or sugary and acidic drinks. If you smoke or use tobacco, those are your biggest culprits, so give those up for brighter teeth.

Abrasives such as baking soda or charcoal, or rinsing agents like coconut oil can have benefits, but they are really simply creating a habit of brushing and rinsing your mouth on a daily basis. The habits of brushing twice a day, flossing and rinsing with mouthwash daily, chewing sugar-free gum and seeing your dentist twice a year results in overall good oral care.

Timeline: your lifetime

Cost: varies greatly

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Over-the-Counter Teeth Whitening Kits

Teeth whitening kits can include strips, trays and/or brushes that allow you to put a substance on your teeth for a more extended period of time than toothpaste. These kits usually contain peroxide which bleaches your teeth to reach stains deeper than surface stains. Again, look for the ADA Seal of Acceptance when considering over the counter teeth whitening solutions.

Timeline: They take about one to two weeks to see results when used daily for a few hours.

Cost: varies, but expect to pay $50-100 for an at-home kit.

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Whitening Toothpaste

Whitening toothpastes use a variety of techniques to lighten your teeth. Baking soda, abrasives or chemicals are used to polish the teeth and/or give a reflective appearance that removes surface stains from teeth. Look for the ADA Seal of Acceptance when considering teeth whitening toothpaste.

Timeline: They can take several weeks of use to see results.

Cost: varies, but under $30 in most cases

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What You Should Know About The Different Types of Teeth Whi

With prom, graduation, and wedding season just around the corner, the photo opps will be numerous, and the resulting pictures, everlasting. In our selfie-crazed, photo-sharing world, it’s not a surprise the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry reports that teeth whitening is the most commonly requested cosmetic dental procedure.

Whitening trends making their way in and out of social media and commercials show us just how easy a variety of over-the-counter products can be. But there are there are many other options as well. We will briefly outline several options here to help you know what to discuss with your dentist at your next visit. (Please note that overuse of any of these products can result in tooth sensitivity, pain, and/or discoloration.)

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How to Lower Your Stress Before Bed

Since most teeth grinding happens when we sleep, following a stress reduction routine before bed is a great way to prepare your body for relaxation. First, turn off all electronic devices, including the TV at least 30 minutes before bed. Studies have shown that doing so prepares your mind for a better night’s sleep.

In addition, be sure to exercise, drink plenty of water and focus on good nutrition. Healthy choices during the day will reward you with less stress and better sleep. Plus, those who exercise get the endorphin boost that supports a positive mood. You should also avoid nicotine, caffeine and other substances that could keep you awake or jittery.

Do a relaxing activity. Consider reading, journaling, praying, meditating, or listening to soft relaxing music before bed. These all help slow your mind and body down to prepare for sleep.

Create consistent habits such as brushing your teeth, washing your face, and going to bed at the same time every night. Consistency creates a routine that your mind and body understands which conditions it to certain behaviors, such as relaxing and falling asleep.

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How Do I Stop Grinding My Teeth?

The first way to stop any problematic habit is to identify why it is happening. Your dentist can help you determine the severity of the grinding and if you have a bite misalignment or tooth concern that is causing it. From there, he or she can make suggestions about how to correct the problem, and if a tooth protecting device is recommended.

Your dentist has options in regards to dental mouth guards that will protect your teeth from enamel loss or damage due to teeth grinding.

We can also all benefit from stress reduction, so consider these options if you want to reduce teeth grinding due to stress or anxiety.

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