DIY Dental Care ? Use Charcoal Powder With Caution

Blausen 0863 ToothAnatomy 02
Promoting whitening and cleaning products. Having worked in the dental industry for 6 years when I was younger. On social media, I have seen a vast amount of DIY dental kits and hacks. I tend to get sceptical about such products and methods. Do they cause more harm than good?

Let me start with the anatomy of a tooth; a tooth is made of many layers. The topmost layer is called the enamel. The enamel is the hardest part of the tooth. It is translucent, and you can see the light through it. The central portion of the tooth is dentine which provides the tooth with its natural colour, which may be grey or yellowish, so our teeth are not naturally white but come in various shades.
tooth diagram
The photo was taken from Wikipedia.

For example, our teeth are like white t-shirts. They can get stained by the food and drinks that we consume. Visiting the dentist for polishing and scaling helps to ensure our teeth stay clean and healthy. The enamel layer is essential as it protects the tooth when we chew, bite, crunch and grind. The coating also insulates chemicals and temperatures that may be harmful. Although it is the most complex layer of a tooth, it is not indestructible. It chips off, and cracks and as we age due to wear and tear, the enamel layer thins, exposing the dentine layer. The dentine layer protects the nerves and the pulp of the tooth; exposure to sweet or acidic chemicals or different temperatures causes sensitivity to the tooth because the nerves are exposed.
Charcoal Powder:
Back in the olden days, people used charcoal to brush their teeth. There is no doubt that it does whiten your teeth, but the considerable debate amongst the dental industry is how much damage the use of charcoal causes your teeth; it will eventually erode your teeth with periodical usage.
The video from a YouTuber about the Charcoal powder went viral.

Mama Natural

After watching the video, I am not convinced; before using any product, I prefer to research the supplier; I suggest you do the same to be on the safe side.
Darlie and Colgate did come up with their own brand of charcoal toothpaste. I prefer Darlie’s version of the toothpaste. They are clinically proven by dental societies certifying that they are safe to use.
Darlie toothpasteColgate toothpaste
The picture is taken from http://www.darlie.com.sg/toothpaste/teeth-whitening & http://www.watsons.com.sg.
You may say that this might be a big scam by the dental industry to just earn more from us, but hey, I rather stick to someone who has done years upon years of study and research to be a certified Doctor rather than some company who just wanted to make a quick buck any day. Remember, teeth aren’t only about aesthetics; functionality also counts; it affects your quality of life, especially during mealtime.
This is just my view and opinion, I am not a dental expert nor a dentist, but I always believe in sharing one’s knowledge with others.

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