What is activated charcoal? Activated charcoal is a form of carbon that has been treated with oxygen to make it highly porous. This means that it has a very large surface area, allowing it to attract and trap other chemicals or particles in its environment. Its porous nature also allows it to absorb large amounts of water, which can be useful in a variety of applications.
How does activated charcoal whiten teeth? Activated charcoal works by binding to stains on the surface of your teeth and removing them by either absorbing them or pushing them away from the surface of your tooth enamel. The more you use activated charcoal, the less staining can accumulate on your teeth surface and the whiter your teeth will look!
Read on to learn more about How To Use Activated Charcoal For Teeth Whitening,
Do Teeth Whitening Pens Work and Teeth Whitening Pen Side Effects
How To Use Activated Charcoal For Teeth Whitening
Activated charcoal is normal charcoal that has had oxygen added to it to make it more porous. This is said to make it more effective at binding with chemicals and toxins, and therefore suitable to use for filtration and purification.
Activated charcoal can come as a powder, toothpaste, mouthwash or part of a teeth whitening kit. Most of the time it comes as a powder.
Powders don’t come with any accessories to apply them since you only need a toothbrush. Your powder will come in a pot or a jar.
A toothpaste or mouthwash will be just that—like a regular toothpaste or mouthwash.
How does activated charcoal whiten your teeth?
As activated charcoal is really porous, the theory is that it’s very effective at binding with other chemicals. So when you use it on your teeth, the charcoal absorbs the toxins and plaque that have stained the enamel.
How to use – how often:
Once daily for three days in a row.
For deep stains, try brushing once daily for five days in a row.
Repeat usage once every three or four months. Don’t use activated charcoal too frequently or as part of your daily brushing routine.
How to use – process:
Charcoal can stain your sink, so make sure you have a good cloth on hand to clear up the mess afterwards. You may also want to use a separate toothbrush from your regular toothbrush.
- Wet a clean toothbrush and dip it into your powder.
- Start brushing in small gentle circles to apply the charcoal. Work around your mouth as you would when brushing normally to make sure all areas are covered. Leave for two minutes.
- Spit and rinse until you have cleared all the charcoal from your mouth. Then give your teeth a light brush with your regular toothbrush.
- Wipe the sink immediately to avoid staining it.
Drawbacks:
- A lack of clinical evidence to say it’s effective.
- A lack of clinical evidence to say it’s safe.
- Some dentists suggest that because charcoal is abrasive, it could wear away the enamel on your teeth. Don’t overuse.
- Some people don’t like their teeth turning black as they brush them.
- The charcoal can stain your sink so you may need to wipe it up afterwards.
Price:
Normally between €1.10 and 1.80 per 10ml.
Activated charcoal powder is one of the cheapest teeth whitening options.
Is it effective?
There is no scientific evidence to say that charcoal whitens teeth, although anecdotes and reviews from around the internet claim that it works. The FDA—which governs American regulations of food and drugs—has approved activated charcoal for use on teeth. However, some dentists argue that charcoal powders could wear away enamel and erode the teeth, especially if used too frequently. Dr Adam Thorne told netdoctor.co.uk,
“I’d be concerned about the potential damage that the grainy, gritty substance can do to your teeth and gums. We simply don’t know about the safety and effectiveness of it. If you want a gleaming white smile, I’d always recommend talking to your dentist first about using traditional whitening toothpaste for surface stains or specific whitening treatments for deeper stains or discolouration.”
A study undertaken by the American Dental Association investigating and comparing current academic research on activated charcoal concluded that there isn’t enough scientific evidence to prove that charcoal is safe to use and effective.
Use activated charcoal if you:
- have tried other whitening products and they don’t suit you
- want a treatment that only involves brushing
- don’t mind having to do a bit of cleaning up afterwards
- want a treatment that is quicker and sometimes cheaper than strips/kits
Do Teeth Whitening Pens Work
We all want to experience whiter teeth for a brighter smile, and many of us will go to great lengths to get there. There are so many different whitening products on the market that it can be difficult to navigate and understand what works and what doesn’t.
One such popular trend in the teeth whitening industry is a teeth whitening pen. Do teeth whitening pens work, and are they good for your teeth? While this simple, portable solution might seem like it’s whitening your teeth, it’s really only best for short-term results or maintaining an already white and bright smile.
In this guide, we will discuss more specifics so you know just what you can expect from using a teeth whitening pen and understand just how they work overall.
1. What is a teeth whitening pen?
A teeth whitening pen is pretty much exactly what it sounds like. These convenient pens can be carried on your person, whether you have them in your car, purse, or pocket. Each pen is filled with a whitening formula (this could vary by the manufacturer) designed to whiten your teeth on the go.
Most pens work by twisting to release the serum, just as you might twist a writing pen to release ink. The serum inside the pen will coat your teeth, helping to cover and reduce dark spots. You simply brush the top of the pen across your tooth surface and let it do the work.
The unique thing about whitening pens is they typically do not require any brushing or rinsing as part of the process. You just brush it on and go.
If you look at the details of the pens, you will find that most of them tell you that they work best when paired with other whitening products or when used to touch up challenging stains on your teeth.
2. How do teeth whitening pens work?
You will find that not all teeth whitening pens are made the same. They can contain a variety of different ingredients. However, most of them will be similar in function. Teeth whitening pens typically contain either carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide to bleach your teeth and break up stains.
When you apply the whitening formula to your teeth using a pen, you may notice bubbling on the surface. That is a sign that the whitening is working, but there remains some question as to how long it works or how effective it is overall.
When you use the pen, it is meant for touch-ups or use in between other whitening processes. For example, if your teeth are prone to stains, you could use a teeth whitening pen after drinking things like coffee or soda that are more likely to leave stains behind.
Teeth whitening pens work best as a maintenance response than used primarily as a whitening treatment on their own. It can help prevent some of those “sticky” foods and drinks from sticking as much to your teeth, keeping your teeth bright.
3. Benefits of Teeth Whitening Pens
There are some great benefits to teeth whitening pens. If you’re looking for lasting and strong results, you will need to pair the teeth whitening pen with other whitening solutions. However, for quick results and on-the-go solutions, teeth whitening pens can be really helpful.
Check out these benefits of teeth whitening pens.
- Affordable solution. A teeth whitening pen is often affordable, and you can typically find them at your local drug store. If you want whitening capabilities that won’t cost a lot, this could be a good solution. It might also be good for upkeep if you have used other more expensive solutions.
- Simplicity. Using a teeth whitening pen is easy and convenient. You don’t need to let it sit, and you don’t need extra accessories or an appointment. You simply brush on the solution at your convenience and avoid food and drink for 20-30 minutes. Apply it whenever and wherever you please.
- Effective application. If you use a high-quality whitening pen, it can be effective for reducing stains, covering hard-to-handle stains, and providing maintenance between other techniques. It is effective as a short-term solution and quick fix.
- Gentle to use. Teeth whitening pens are gentle on your teeth for the most part. You will want to pay attention to active ingredients, but these typically will not cause added sensitivity to your teeth like some whitening solutions might.
4. Downsides to Using Teeth Whitening Pens
There are always downsides to be aware of with any product, and the same rings true of teeth whitening pens. While they do work effectively for short-term and spot use, their capabilities are limited.
Here are some potential downsides to using teeth whitening pens.
- The results are short-lived
- Saliva can easily break down the active ingredient
- It’s not a sustainable option for long-term results
- Teeth whitening pens may reduce your tooth enamel
- The formula or serum in the pens can sometimes cause gum irritation
- Teeth whitening pens might cause sensitivity
- Whitening might be inconsistent or uneven
5. Do Teeth Whitening Pens Really Work?
Essentially, teeth whitening pens really can work, but keep in mind that they are best when used as a quick fix or as a maintenance tool as opposed to the ultimate whitening solution. Most times, teeth whitening pens will need to be paired with other whitening processes to be effective.
6. Final Words
Teeth whitening pens certainly can have a time and place that they will work for you. We recommend that you pair this solution with some other process and rely on the pen for spot fixes and upkeep rather than your only whitening process.
Teeth Whitening Pen Side Effects
Harmful Effects of Using Teeth Whitening Pens
Teeth whitening pens are a convenient way of having whiter teeth without much effort. A fifteen minutes application will leave you with a brighter smile. However, the wrong use of a teeth whitening pen could result in side effects some of which are listed below:
- Destruction of the enamel: continued use of a teeth whitening pen will result in the damage to the tooth enamel. The damage caused cannot be reversed and this may lead to bacterial infections that will further damage the teeth.
- Irritation of the gums: Every time you use a teeth whitening pen, a portion of the whitening gel will get to the gums and with time, the gums will suffer from irritations and severe pain. You should ensure that you wipe off any whitening gel that touches the gums to avoid such effects.
- Teeth sensitivity: Prolonged use of teeth whitening pens will eventually make the teeth sensitive as a result of the erosion by the whitening gel. Some of the pens that contain hydrogen peroxide should be used for some time and breaks should be taken in between to avoid damaging the enamel.
- It may lead to uneven whitening of the teeth especially when some of the teeth are artificial. This is because teeth whitening agents will not work on artificial teeth unless you decide to change the artificial enamel and get one that matches the current teeth shade.
- If you use a teeth whitening pen when some of the teeth have cavities, the gel may get to the roots and gum leading to further damage to the teeth.
All teeth whitening pens should be used with caution to avoid damaging the tooth enamel and the gums as well. It will be important to consult a dentist before you use any whitening product so that he can detect any dental problem that could be made worse by teeth whitening pens.