The Charcoal Toothpaste Craze – What You Need to Know

Charcoal-based products are all the rage right now. Charcoal masks, charcoal toothpaste, and even charcoal lemonade! Before you jump on the charcoal train, read on to learn from your local Missouri dentists at Access Dental how activated charcoal is made and what some of the benefits and concerns are for using it on your teeth.

What is Charcoal Toothpaste?

Charcoal toothpaste is composed of activated charcoal - not the charcoal you use for grilling your brats and burgers. Activated charcoal is produced by applying extreme heat or a chemical activation process to substances like wood, coconut shells, and other natural materials. This process oxidizes the materials, turning them into a fine carbon powder and changing their internal structure to be more porous.

Before making its way into the beauty and food industries, activated charcoal was (and still is) used on ambulances. Because of its adsorptive properties, it is used on patients who have ingested poison. These same adsorptive properties are the reason the charcoal craze made its way into toothpaste.

Charcoal Toothpaste’s Possible Benefits

We’ve talked about the “adsorptive properties” of charcoal toothpaste. You may be wondering, “What does that mean? Don’t you mean absorbing?” The more common word “absorb” is used to describe a substance being dissolved. However, “adsorb” describes what is happening when one material causes another to adhere to its surface. This is what happens with activated charcoal.

Charcoal toothpaste binds to loose organic materials on your teeth – like plaque and surface stains. Then when it is rinsed away, those materials are washed away along with the toothpaste. It can also bind to and remove acidic compounds that could be harming your teeth and causing bad breath.

Potential Concerns about Charcoal Toothpaste

While charcoal toothpaste is helpful in removing surface stains, it cannot remove internal stains from your teeth like a professional whitening service.

Additionally, the fine grains of carbon in charcoal toothpaste can be highly abrasive to your teeth. This can start to erode your enamel and threaten the health of your teeth. As your enamel erodes, the deeper dentin is exposed and can cause tooth sensitivity and decay.

Charcoal toothpaste typically does not contain the recommended amount of fluoride, so it cannot help strengthen your teeth as well as traditional toothpaste.

Lastly, the charcoal toothpaste may settle in between your teeth and aggravate your gums, causing inflammation.

Consult the Professionals at Access Dental

Charcoal products are very popular right now, and even though charcoal toothpaste may help remove plaque and surface stains, there may be safer and more effective options. Set up an appointment with Access Dental – the best dentists in the Springfield area! – for a personal consultation on how to best care for your individual oral health needs.

We want to be your dentist because your family deserves a great smile! 

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Water and Its Dental Health Superpowers!

Water is an important part of your diet. Much of our bodies are composed of water and we know it’s important to stay hydrated to maintain a healthy weight, optimize brain function, and keep our skin clear. But did you know that water is also important for your oral health? Our Springfield area dentists at Access Dental and Dentures know that your teeth can benefit tremendously from a steady supply of water throughout the day. Read on to learn four of the most important ways water improves your oral health.

Water Strengthens Teeth

Tap water and certain kinds of bottled water contain fluoride. Fluoride is a substance that strengthens your teeth and thereby helps prevent cavities. Drinking your recommended daily allowance of water will provide more exposure to fluoride in addition to brushing your teeth twice a day. While it may not seem like a lot compared to the fluoride in your toothpaste, the additional fluoride in your water could make a big difference in keeping your teeth strong and healthy.

Water Flushes Out Contaminants

As you go through the day, your teeth are exposed to things like coffee, office donuts, and your lunch. These can cause bacteria to start developing on and in between your teeth. Drink water regularly and each time you eat or drink something else. This will help flush away staining residue from coffee or pieces of food that may have been left behind. The less time that those items are in contact with your teeth, the better!

Water Replaces Unhealthy Drinks

If you make it a point to drink water throughout the day, it may help you resist reaching for a drink full of sugar. Sugary drinks like sodas and fruit juices can harm your teeth by depositing sugar on and in between them. As this sugar sits on your teeth, it can start damaging the enamel surface that protects your teeth from cavities. Sugar can also promote bacterial growth. Avoiding sugary drinks and replacing them with water can help reduce tooth decay and bacterial growth in your mouth.

Water Keeps You Hydrated

This benefit may seem obvious for overall health but staying hydrated is also important to your oral health because it helps maintain healthy saliva production. Saliva plays a vital role in keeping your teeth strong and healthy, as it naturally washes away bacteria and debris. It also deposits tooth-strengthening minerals like calcium to keep your teeth resistant to cavities.

Drink Water and Visit Our Office!

Drinking water is a simple way to benefit your teeth and give your oral health a boost. The simple act of drinking water can…

• Strengthen your teeth with fluoride
• Flush out bacteria-causing contaminants
• Replace unhealthy drinks and reduce sugar
• Keep you and your mouth hydrated

At Access Dental and Dentures, we are not only the best dentists in the Springfield area, but we are also passionate about your dental health. For more information about how to improve your oral health or to schedule an appointment, contact us today!

We want to be your dentist because your family deserves a great smile! 

1-877-DENTIST

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How to Pick the Best Manual Toothbrush for You

Have you ever been standing in the toiletry aisle at your local store, staring at a wall of toothbrushes and wondering which one is right for you? The options seem endless. They come in every color imaginable… this one with an ergonomic grip, that one with additional rubber bristles and a tongue scraper on the back. Why are there so many?

Our Springfield area dentists at Access Dental know what’s best for your teeth, and we’re here to help you! Read on to find out what you really need from your next toothbrush, and what you don’t.

What Size Do I Need?

The standard toothbrush size for adults is a one-half-inch wide and one-inch tall brush head. The important information to know is this: The exact size is not important as long as you are able to reach every surface of your teeth. If that standard size makes it difficult to reach your back molars or the backs of your teeth, then choose a smaller size. If you have small teeth, then you may also want to consider a toothbrush with a smaller head. This will allow the bristles to get as far in between your teeth as possible.

A toothbrush handle does not have to be anything fancy. If it is easy to use and allows you to comfortably reach your back teeth, then it is perfect.

What Kind of Bristles Are Best?

Bristles have evolved significantly from their original conception. Many brands now offer rubber and even silicone bristles. Even standard nylon toothbrushes require a choice between soft, medium, and hard bristles. These new materials may sound more advanced, but they don’t necessarily do a better job at cleaning your teeth.

Another common misconception is that harder bristles clean your teeth better. It is true that they are more abrasive, but not in the way you would hope. Hard bristled toothbrushes can damage your gums, pulling them back from your teeth. Over time this can expose your tooth root and cause sensitivity.

Soft bristles clean your teeth well and protect your gum health at the same time. Most toothbrushes available in stores will indicate the level of softness with “soft” or the letter “S” on the packaging.

How Often Should Toothbrushes be Replaced?

Many people don’t realize how often they need to replace a toothbrush. Isn’t the toothpaste cleaning the brush, after all?

Your toothbrush should be replaced as soon as the bristles begin to look worn. Don’t wait until every bristle is splayed to the side. Your toothbrush cannot work effectively if the bristles are not in good shape. Some brushes have color indicators in the center of the bristles. When those bristles start to lose their color, it’s time to replace the toothbrush.

A typical toothbrush has a lifespan of about three months. Any time you recover from an illness, it is a good idea to get a new toothbrush. This helps prevent the spread of germs that may have transferred from your mouth to the toothbrush.

Keep It Simple

Your toothbrush doesn’t have to be a marvel of modern technology to clean your teeth well. When you choose your next manual toothbrush, just remember to choose a size that allows you to reach every tooth’s surface, stick to soft bristles, and replace it any time you get sick or the bristles start to wear.

Come by our offices at Access Dental to learn more about how to keep your teeth healthy. Your ideal dental health is our passion!

We want to be your dentist because your family deserves a great smile! 

1-877-DENTIST

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Flossing Could Save Your Life

Flossing. We know it’s something we should do daily, but most people aren’t quite sure why. You may think that brushing your teeth twice a day and using Listerine is enough. But what you might not realize is that neither of those methods can reach the bacteria growing in the tight spaces between your teeth. The benefits of flossing go beyond just keeping your teeth clean and shiny. Our team at Access Dental can remove buildup between your teeth for you, but every six months is not often enough to prevent the bacteria from harming you.

There are several negative side effects, and even very serious health conditions, that can develop from not flossing. Read on to find out what you may be risking by sticking to your current routine. If you have any questions about flossing or your oral health in general, contact our Southern Missouri dentist and we’ll take care of you!

Bad Breath and Yellow Teeth

Have you noticed that, no matter how much you brush your teeth and use mouthwash, your breath still has an unpleasant odor? This could be a result of bacteria stuck between your teeth that a regular toothbrush can’t reach. These bacteria will continue to grow and cause even worse breath. Flossing removes these pesky pathogens and can help prevent bad breath.

You may also have trouble keeping your teeth looking clean and sparkly. The front of your teeth may be perfectly white, but if you aren’t taking care of the edges by flossing, your overall smile will look less bright. Plaque buildup between your teeth makes this effect even worse, and you could end up trying to hide your smile that now seems yellowed and dull.

Tooth Decay and Gum Disease

The longer that food and the resulting bacteria sit between your teeth, the more damage they can do. They weaken tooth enamel and can eventually cause the affected tooth to decay, develop cavities, and possibly even fall out!

These same bacteria sitting on your gums makes for a very unhappy mouth. As your body tries to fight the bacteria, it sends additional blood to the area. This is what causes gum inflammation and bleeding that we refer to as gingivitis. Gingivitis is considered a minor version of gum disease! As it progresses, the gums get more infected and can start to affect your overall health.

Pneumonia

One of the ways oral bacteria can negatively affect your health is by causing lung infections. You can inhale bacteria as a result of the buildup in your mouth. These bacteria travel through your system and lodge in your lungs, causing respiratory issues including pneumonia.   

Heart Disease

Another serious consequence of unattended oral bacteria is heart disease. As the bacterial infection spreads and enters your bloodstream, bacterial plaques can start building up on the valves in your heart. The extra burden on your heart, in addition to the infection, can lead to heart attack and even stroke.

Alzheimer’s

A recent study published in Science Advances (1 Jan 2019, https://advances.sciencemag.org/content/5/1/eaau3333. Accessed 9 Sept 2019.) found that there may be a correlation between Alzheimer’s and insufficient oral hygiene. In studying Alzheimer patients, researchers discovered that numerous patients had a pathogen in their brains that has been linked to gum disease.

Floss Daily for Better Health

Thoroughly cleaning your teeth isn’t just about having a bright smile and fresh breath – even though those are great perks! Proper care reduces harmful bacteria and inhibits the spread of infection from your mouth to other areas of your body, including your lungs, heart, and brain. Flossing is an important habit that should be part of your daily routine. If you are unsure how to properly floss, our caring experts at Access Dental would be happy to show you. Give us a call today and schedule an appointment with the best dentist near Springfield Missouri!

We want to be your dentist because your family deserves a great smile! 

1-877-DENTIST

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