One of the newest dental care trends is charcoal toothbrushes. Not the sort of charcoal used to barbecue. The topic at hand is activated charcoal. The purpose of charcoal toothbrushes is to eliminate germs, whiten teeth, and refresh breath in ways that conventional toothbrushes cannot. But for various reasons, Children Dental Indianapolis IN are reluctant to recommend them.

Recent research suggests that charcoal toothbrushes may be marginally more effective compared to conventional toothbrushes. Continue reading to discover the science behind charcoal toothbrushes and their advantages and disadvantages.

The underlying science of charcoal toothbrushes

Activated charcoal is mixed into the bristles of charcoal toothbrushes. With a charcoal toothbrush, you apply the charcoal directly to your teeth while you brush.

Oxidizing coal, olive pits, coconut shells, and other things produces this fine-grained powder or charcoal. Then, after being heated to a high temperature to expand its surface area and make it more porous, this powder is activated.

What advantages can charcoal toothbrushes offer?

Recently, there has been a greater focus on the scientific advantages of using a charcoal toothbrush. Among these advantages are:

• Whiter teeth: Charcoal toothbrushes eliminate dental stains, making your smile seem more radiant. This is due to its very absorbent qualities. To get rid of the stains that acidic substances from things like coffee, tea, and wine may sometimes leave behind, the activated charcoal binds to them. The pH in your mouth rises as a result of this absorption.
• Elimination of bacteria: Charcoal toothbrushes have been shown to possess antibacterial qualities. In a 2018 research involving 50 patients, participants were told to wash their teeth for one week, each with charcoal and conventional brushes. After one week of usage, researchers discovered that the ordinary toothbrushes had more germs than the charcoal toothbrushes and that the non-charcoal toothbrush kept almost twice as much bacteria as the charcoal toothbrush did.
• Fresher breath: You need a toothbrush that eliminates plaque if you want fresh breath. According to recent research, charcoal toothbrushes do precisely that. Twenty-five participants were told to use a nylon brush and a charcoal brush to clean their teeth twice daily after meals. After 6 weeks of usage, it was discovered that the charcoal bristles removed more plaque than a normal toothbrush. After the research, the charcoal bristles were less worn than the conventional toothbrush.

What drawbacks are there to using charcoal toothbrushes?

The use of a charcoal toothbrush has benefits and drawbacks. The popularity of these items is very recent; hence little study has been done on any potential long-term impacts. The drawbacks of charcoal toothbrushes include the following, in addition to the fact that they are less widely available:

• Abrasive nature: By removing the teeth’ enamel, activated charcoal might hurt them. Charcoal toothbrushes are no longer acceptable for the American Dental Association’s Seal of Acceptance due to their abrasiveness. When a tooth’s enamel wears away, it is permanently lost. Sensitive teeth and discoloration may result from this. Because of this, Childrens Dentist Indianapolis IN advises against using activated charcoal for an extended period. If you are prone to tooth decay, you should avoid charcoal toothbrushes.
• Messy to use: Activated charcoal’s dark color makes it a threat to your bathroom sink. Charcoal may start to discolor porcelain countertops or sinks. Compared to other charcoal goods, a charcoal toothbrush will make less of a mess, but the bristles will still deteriorate with time. If they do, the activated charcoal can leak out and make a mess difficult to clean up.

Can you brush with charcoal every day?

Unfortunately, the American Dental Association has not given its approval to charcoal toothbrushes. Too many questions regarding them remain unanswered. Kids Dentist Indianapolis IN worry that too much charcoal might wear down the enamel on patients’ teeth.

Dental specialists advise against using charcoal dental products if you have crowns, veneers, dental bonding, or any other kind of tooth restoration. Although robust, restorations are often less durable and may be more prone to injury than your original teeth.

How long does a toothbrush with charcoal last?

According to research, charcoal toothbrushes last longer than conventional ones. Does it imply you can stop changing your toothbrush every three months as a habit? Actually, no. The bristles may not wear out quickly, but they still accumulate germs. Even if they gather it more slowly, you don’t want to continue exposing your teeth to the same germs. It is advised to replace your toothbrush every three months, even using charcoal.

Charcoal or non-charcoal toothbrush?

Activated charcoal is integrated into the bristles of charcoal toothbrushes, which often include a bamboo handle. They are biodegradable due to their construction, and it is said that charcoal works at the microscopic level to eliminate plaque and tannins that accumulate over time. These choices provide an excellent approach for individuals to clean their teeth more effectively while still being environmentally friendly. What’s noteworthy about this environmentally friendly choice is how the charcoal is allegedly capable of tiny bacterial removal. As pediatric dentists, we must take these claims seriously because, although having adult teeth might be nice, children’s teeth are still developing, and regardless of how well they brush, this trend could end disastrously.

Can I give my kid a charcoal toothbrush?

In general, toothbrushes should be changed every three months since bacteria buildup, and bristle wear may be bad for your child’s teeth. Regarding approval, Pediatric Dentistry Indianapolis IN advise care when giving your kid a charcoal toothbrush, particularly if they are still learning their brushing routines and have a propensity to swallowing toothpaste, even if the data suggests that charcoal toothbrushes contain fewer germs even while in use. Other pointers that we suggest are as follows:

• Brushing with your children: Brushing their teeth may be a great method to educate them on healthy dental habits while ensuring their safety.
• Use toddler training toothpaste: Avoid using charcoal toothpaste and look for fluoride-free toddler toothpaste if kids have a terrible habit of swallowing toothpaste.
• Use care while using their toothbrush: If you notice that their toothbrush is beginning to irritate their gums and teeth, change it immediately to prevent any additional harm.

Takeaway

According to research, charcoal toothbrushes could be useful in specific situations. They could be more effective than most conventional toothbrushes in cleaning the teeth, reducing bad breath, and removing germs.

But since it’s a new product, no one is certain of its long-term downsides. Additionally, because of uncertainty about potential side effects and a lack of high-quality research, most Pediatric Dentist Indianapolis IN have not yet suggested activated charcoal to their patients. To demonstrate the efficiency of charcoal toothbrushes, further research will be required.