The thought behind activated charcoal is that, since many makeups are using it to absorb oils, it may also be good to absorb stains from teeth. However, says Dr. Mohsenzadeh, “There are no oils to absorb from teeth. What they don’t tell you is that you are not absorbing the stain, you are instead using a highly abrasive material that abrades away the enamel surface of your teeth. The enamel cannot be replaced.”
The ADA says, “Using materials that are too abrasive on your teeth can actually make them look more yellow. Enamel is what you’re looking to whiten, but if you’re using a scrub that is too rough, you can actually wear it away. When that happens, the next layer of your tooth can become exposed – a softer, yellow tissue called dentin.” LINK
LED technology (used with charcoal) isn'teffective:
An LED (light emitting diode) whitening system is a bleach-based treatment, and home-based kits contain lower concentrations of the bleaching substance than what your dentist offers. An LED whitening system typically includes several applications of a whitening agent, applicators, mouth trays and LED light for treatments over a period of days. Light is thought to speed up the whitening process, says The Open Dentistry Journal (ODJ). It acts as a catalyst on carbamide peroxide, which becomes hydrogen peroxide, the bleaching agent that whitens your teeth. LINK
bOING-bOING + CEO of NUOVAWHITE Charcoal Teeth Whitening System:
As a bonus grift, this “NuovaWhite” company is piggybacking on a legitimate company’s name (NovaWhite).
Is a fine oral irrigation. But at the concentrations you can legally and easily buy for a buck twenty nine a bottle. It’s not going to whiten your teeth. Tooth whitening treatments, especially at the dentist. Use much more concentrated peroxide.
Oh yeah, for sure, you’re right it won’t give scary-white teeth like in the photo in the OP. I should have made that clear. It will just help lighten stains to help bring back the look of the natural, unstained teeth. I noticed the effect when I was using hydrogen peroxide as a gargle for a sore throat.
Other ways I’ve found to have better-looking teeth without going to extremes are prevention (avoid coffee, tea, chocolate, cola, etc.) and maintenance (brush longer, though without abrasive toothpaste).
I’m all about do-it-yourself, low-cost, low-key, and preventive maintenance, and I’d probably never consider using one of these tooth-whitening products. I guess I’m actually a bit off-topic here.
When I saw the headline I was totally expecting to see a photo of a soot-faced coal miner whose teeth appeared bright simply due to the enhanced contrast.
My off-ivory chompers are the product of years of heavy tea drinking. I have dyed fillings brown. Why would I ever want to roll back all of those years of cultivating such a healthy shade of beige?
