What is activated charcoal, and does it really do wonders for your teeth?
Activated charcoal has been a fairly new ingredient associated with oral health or dental care. If you don’t skip ads or commercials, or if you have had a good amount of time shopping for toiletries at the grocery store, then you’ve probably encountered the phrases’ charcoal teeth whitening‘ or ‘contains activated charcoal’ on some of the toothpaste brands you’ve picked up or passed by.
If you look at it closely, it seems odd to put together two adjectives that seem to contradict each other. Charcoal is a black carbon residue, while the word whitening just doesn’t fit quite well with an item with the opposite shade.
This blog will elaborate on activated charcoal, what it is, and how it can benefit your dental health.
Activated charcoal is a black powder derived from burning or exposing carbon-producers to extreme heat. These include sawdust, wood, or coconut shells. It is not to be compared with the regular charcoal that people recognize. It is created by decomposing carbon materials, meaning that it is specifically designed to exhibit powerful absorbent and detoxifying properties.
Albeit still lacking in scientific evidence, it is said to absorb toxins and provide several other health benefits. Some of its most well-renowned contributions include:
Regulating oral pH levels
When your mouth is either on the higher or lower end of what is considered a healthy oral pH level, it propagates more disease-causing germs and cavities. As such, brushing your teeth regularly with activated charcoal-infused toothpaste is said to help reduce the number of bacteria thriving in your mouth.
Teeth-whitening
As mentioned, activated charcoal has super absorbent properties. This particular feature makes it an increasingly popular ingredient in helping your pearly whites shine brightly and clearly. It absorbs the dirt, grime, and stains left on your teeth and contributes to achieving a whiter hue with regular use.
Freshens your breath
If commercial mouthwash brands never worked for you, then perhaps using activated charcoal toothpaste will likely increase the likelihood of helping you achieve a fresher breath. As it absorbs germs and bacteria residue out of your gums and teeth, it eventually frees your mouth from odour-causing dirt and germs residing in your mouth.
Promotes healthier teeth and gums
With a powerful “vacuum” sucking out all the dirt that normal brushing or regular toothpaste can’t reach, your dental health can build a stronger defense against germs that could breed life-threatening diseases and complications in other parts of your body.
Filters that water you drink
Drinking contaminated water could potentially leave microorganisms swimming in your saliva and breeding more of their kind within your gums. Some use the toxin-busting property of activated charcoal to filter drinking water and purify it. In this manner, it becomes safer and healthier to drink. Clean drinking water benefits both your oral and digestive health. It limits the harmful bacteria that enter your system. Simultaneously, cleaner teeth and gums are said to be the gateway to a healthier and disease-free body.
There is nothing wrong with wanting to try this product. Whether you want charcoal teeth whitening toothpaste or are interested in trying activated charcoal powder to improve your oral health, be sure to check user reviews and verify the credibility of the brand that offers any of the said products. More importantly, don’t forget to regularly brush your teeth and steer clear from eating too many sweets and junk food.
