Revealed: How an over-the-counter whitening toothpaste eroded this woman’s tooth enamel and left her needing expensive veneers to repair the damage
- Charcoal and whitening toothpastes are abrasive and can wear away enamel
- Fluoride ‘plays a starring role’ in fighting cavities and adults need to use it
- Dr Rhona Eskander, a cosmetic dentist in London, warns against following fads
Scrubbing your teeth with activated charcoal or whitening toothpaste could be eroding the enamel and causing irreparable damage, according to a top dentist.
One 26-year-old woman in London wore down her teeth so badly using an over-the-counter whitening toothpaste that she needed veneers to repair them.
And her dentist, Dr Rhona Eskander – an award-winning cosmetic dentist in London, is now warning others about the dangers of overusing harsh toothpastes.
She says even toothpastes you find on supermarket shelves can be abrasive enough to damage teeth by wearing down the vital enamel.
The unnamed patient brushed ‘in desperation’ with shop-bought whitening toothpaste until her front teeth were left looking rough and misshapen.
And Dr Eskander, who had to use ceramic to fix her patient’s smile, says people are not aware of the damage toothpaste can cause.
A 26-year-old patient of Dr Eskander’s wore down her teeth (pictured top) by scrubbing too much with abrasive whitening toothpaste, and needed veneers (bottom) to repair her teeth
Toothpastes with activated charcoal have become a cosmetics trend over the past year, with claims they possess whitening powers.
And numerous household brand toothpastes are also marketed as whitening but trying to scrub stains off your teeth yourself could damage them.
This is because many contain ‘abrasives’ – small particles which roughen up toothpaste so it can remove food debris and stains.
These are a key ingredient of toothpastes, Dr Eskander says, but can cause damage if people overuse them because they are trying to scrub stains off their teeth.
-
Will power can protect boys from obesity – but not girls:…
Safety fears over revolutionary gene-editing tool: Crispr…
‘Our doctor wasn’t at the birth – but charged us $4,200 for…
Stomach-churning footage shows the moment a doctor removes…
Share this article
‘Charcoal toothpaste can rub off enamel’
Dr Eskander told MailOnline: ‘Patients are not aware of the harmful affects of abrasive toothpastes.
‘Charcoal toothpaste contains harsh particles which can rub off the enamel.
‘Moreover, with vegan and health trends at the forefront of the fitness and health industry people are avoiding fluoride toothpastes.
DR ESKANDER’S FIVE TIPS FOR LOOKING AFTER YOUR TEETH
1. Take care of your toothbrush (and use an electric one)
Rinse your toothbrush well after brushing then store it in an upright position in the open.
Plenty of air flow around the bristles will help keep your brush dry; microorganisms that can grow on your toothbrush tend to thrive in a moist environment.
Replace toothbrushes every 2 to 3 months, although with children you may need to change sooner.
2. Tongue brushing
Brush your tongue to help fight the bacteria in your mouth. Tongue brushing is not only essential for keeping your teeth healthy, it also helps to stop bad breath.
3. Talk to your dentist
Visit your dentist for regular check-ups and voice any questions or concerns. They can help you create a daily brushing and flossing plan that is suited to the specific needs of your teeth.
4. Choose your drinks wisely
Beverages such as soft drinks and sugary juices have been targeted as culprits of tooth decay. Drinking less soda and more water, milk and fresh juices can help protect your teeth.
5. Use Fluoride
Fluoride is not just for kids. This natural mineral hardens tooth enamel, helping to prevent cavities.
You can get fluoride from your toothpaste, some mouth-rinses and dental treatment.
Source: Dr Rhona Eskander
‘This means the protective benefits are being omitted.’
But Dr Eskander warns that charcoal – and other similarly abrasive toothpastes – can rub off the teeth’s natural enamel.
She reveals one of her patients caused irreparable damage by trying to whiten her own teeth.
Dr Eskander said: ‘[The patient] used abrasive whitening toothpaste and rubbed off all her enamel – the front teeth have this rough appearance.
‘She suffered from sensitivity, pain and low self esteem. When using the toothpaste in desperation to whiten her front teeth she damaged the enamel.
‘We used resin and ceramic in the form of veneers to restore the damaged teeth.’
‘When it comes to fighting cavities, fluoride plays a starring role’
Another fad Dr Eskander warns against is using fluoride-free toothpaste.
She says that, although using too much fluoride can damage teeth and discolour them, it is crucial for adults to use toothpaste which contains the mineral.
Fluoride is a mineral which is naturally found in water, and in some areas – affecting about 5.8 million people in the UK – it is added to drinking water where there are low levels, after doing so was proven to reduce teeth cavities in the population.
But some people are dubious about the chemical and opt for fluoride-free toothpastes.
Dr Eskander said: ‘People are becoming more health conscious and think that fluoride is affecting their immune system and can cause damage to their teeth.
‘When it comes to fighting cavities, fluoride plays a starring role.
‘It’s a mineral that helps strengthen the enamel on your teeth, making them less susceptible to cavities and less likely to wear down from acidic foods and drinks.
‘Fluoride is often added to drinking water to help reduce tooth decay.
People drinking fluoridated water have two thirds fewer cavities
‘In the 1930s, researchers found that people who grew up drinking naturally fluoridated water had up to two-thirds fewer cavities than people living in areas without fluoridated water.’
Too much fluoride as a child can cause fluorosis, which causes teeth to develop white patches when the enamel is first forming.
Dr Eskander recommends people use a toothpaste with at least 14000ppm fluoride, and says: ‘It is all about the balance.’
THREE FADS WHICH ARE RUINING PEOPLE’S TEETH, ACCORDING TO DR RHONA ESKANDER
1. Drinking hot lemon water
‘Never brush your teeth after drinking hot water and lemon as this removes enamel while it is soft,’ Dr Eskander says.
‘People should instead brush their teeth before breakfast to create a protective fluoride layer against acidic foods.’
2. Charcoal toothpastes
‘Many charcoal toothpastes on the market do not contain enough fluoride to adequately protect us from tooth decay, even when used for two minutes twice a day.’
3. Apple cider vinegar
‘Apple cider vinegar is praised for aiding digestion, helping with weight loss and making hair shinier, with some even brushing their teeth with this highly-acidic substance.
‘Yet, while the vinegar’s abrasiveness may help to remove plaque and stains caused by red wine, coffee and smoking, it can also severely damage enamel and even make teeth yellower.
‘Enamel damage is irreversibile. The layer beneath, known as the dentin, becomes more visible. Dentin has a natural yellow tinge, meaning that you’re likely to be left with teeth that look more yellow or stained than they did to begin with.’
Source: Read Full Article