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Charcoal toothpaste (also called black toothpaste) has been marketed as a healthy, natural way to whiten your teeth—but does it really make good on that promise?

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Activated charcoal, which is one of the main ingredients in this kind of toothpaste, has long been used to bind toxins; in fact, that’s one of the ideas behind putting it in toothpaste—binding and pulling bacteria, tartar, and stains from your teeth. Charcoal dental care isn’t a new idea; Hippocrates of Ancient Greece believed it was an ideal treatment for black gums and bad breath, and it was advertised as a way to freshen your breath and remove tobacco stains in the late 19^th and early 20^th centuries.

Natural Isn’t Always Better

The first thing to know about whitening toothpaste is none of them actually whiten your teeth; all they do is remove stains. The second (and more important) thing to know about charcoal toothpaste is that it’s highly abrasive, so even if it does absorb harmful compounds on your teeth, it’s also scraping away at the surface of your teeth every time you brush. One study found that tooth surfaces became significantly rougher after only a month of using charcoal toothpaste compared to regular toothpaste.

If roughened tooth surfaces sound like bad news to you, you’re right! The roughened texture means enamel loss. Once enamel is gone, it can’t be replaced—even worse, it makes your teeth much more vulnerable to decay. Also, most brands of charcoal toothpaste don’t contain fluoride, which is essential for preventing cavities. Not to mention, charcoal dental products aren’t backed by the American Dental Association or the FDA. 

Although charcoal toothpaste can help get rid of surface stains, it’s probably best to avoid it altogether. 

For a Whiter Smile, Turn to the Experts

The most effective way to get a brighter, whiter smile is with professional teeth whitening at Enamel Dentistry. We use custom trays that protect your gums from sensitivity and harsh bleaching agents, and we can whiten your teeth by up to 5-10 shades in a single office visit. To learn more, contact Enamel Dentistry or talk to your dentist at your next appointment. 

If you need emergency dental care in Austin, you may be wondering if it’s safe to see the dentist, and to come to Enamel Dentistry to get the treatment you need. In this blog, we’ll discuss a few of the precautions we’re taking to provide you with the treatment you need while protecting your health and well-being. Let’s get started.

We’re Taking COVID-19 Seriously & Protecting Our Patients And Staff

We have always adhered to the safety, sanitation, and infection prevention standards required by the ADA, CDC, and OSHA, including cleaning and sanitizing all dental tools, replacing plastic covers, sanitizing surfaces touched by patients and staff, and more.

However, we’re making even more efforts to prevent the spread of bacteria and viruses, such as wiping down counters, doorknobs, chairs, and other commonly-touched surfaces more regularly. Doing so will help protect you and protect our staff.

In addition, we’re taking extra steps to adhere to social distancing regulations within our office, such as seeing fewer patients each day and spacing out appointments to avoid crowds. We’ve also reconfigured our sitting areas to provide more space between each person.

Going To The Dentist For An Emergency Is Safer Than Going To The Emergency Room

If you need emergency dental care, you may think that you should go to the emergency room. But most ERs are not equipped to deal with dental emergencies. You should only go to an ER if you believe you have a life-threatening issue, such as a broken jaw. Otherwise, it’s usually best to see an emergency dentist at an office like Enamel Dentistry. 

In fact, it’s much safer to come to Enamel Dentistry than it is to visit the ER for treatment. As you may expect, most ERs and hospitals are treating multiple COVID-19 coronavirus patients, so being in the same area as these individuals could increase your risk of infection, even with the best possible precautions.

In contrast, Enamel Dentistry is doing its best to avoid exposing patients to COVID-19. We ask all patients about whether or not they’ve traveled, been around someone who developed COVID-19, and any symptoms they may have that could indicate COVID-19 infection. We’re taking every precaution we can to avoid exposing you and our staff members.

You Need Immediate Care For Dental Emergencies – Don’t Wait To Get Treatment 

Dental emergencies always demand immediate attention, and if you don’t get help right away, your condition could get worse. For example, a pulled-out filling or crown that’s not replaced could lead to a tooth infection.

If you think your condition counts as a dental emergency, the best thing you can do is contact Enamel Dentistry for an appointment right away. We’re doing everything we can to keep you safe during the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak, and our doctors will provide you with the dental care you need to resolve your emergency and restore your dental health.

So don’t wait. Contact us now to schedule an appointment at our offices in Parmer Park, South Lamar, or Lantana Place, and get the emergency care you need right away.

If you don’t have any pain or sensitivity in your teeth, you may think it’s unecessary to visit the dentist. We’re sorry to break it to you, but that’s not the case! You’d be surprised at how often patients need a filling, root canal, or other procedure to address an issue they didn’t even know was there.

Regular Visits to the Dentist: It’s All About Prevention

Just like visits to your primary care doctor for annual exams, regular visits to the dentist are all about preventive care. Routine exams allow us to be proactive with your dental health and address minor issues before they have the chance to become a more serious—and expensive—problem. In some cases, addressing a cavity early on could actually save your tooth! And we all want to have happy, healthy, natural smiles, right?

If you wait to go to the dentist until you’re having pain, chances are the damage to your tooth will be greater than if you had been keeping up with your regular check-ups. Tooth decay and gum disease aren’t necessarily painful at first, and if we can treat them early, you won’t have to worry about more invasive or costly procedures in the future. 

For example, a cavity is a hole in the tooth caused by bacteria that eats away at the enamel, which is the outer layer of the tooth. Patients rarely feel pain from cavities until they get worse, and the hole makes its way down to the tooth’s nerve. When this nerve is exposed, it’s painful—and it means you’ll need a root canal to save the tooth. However, if we detect the cavity early on, all you’ll need is a simple filling.

Dental Anxiety & Cost: Two Reasons Patients Put Off Dental Care

Think back to how dentists have been portrayed in the media (Little Shop of Horrors, anyone?). Often, dental care has been portrayed as scary or painful. The good news is that modern dentistry has come a long way, even within the last 10 years. Beyond providing excellent care for your teeth and gums, our primary focus is on your comfort. 

It may sound strange, but patients often have dental anxiety because they haven’t visited the dentist enough—so they’re not sure exactly what to expect. Or, they may need more extensive procedures because their visits have been far and few between. The more often you visit us, the more comfortable you’ll be with the whole experience; we’ll also be able to be more proactive with your oral health. We understand that dental anxiety can be a real roadblock to dental care, which is why we offer three levels of dental sedation to help you have stress-free visits. If you have dental anxiety, don’t hesitate to let us know! 

Dental anxiety is a common reason why many people put off going to the dentist. Another reason? The cost. Here’s the thing to keep in mind: if you stick to a regular schedule for your dental exams, and practice good oral hygiene, you’re far less likely to need more invasive (and costly) procedures. Even better, the cost of visiting the dentist will be much more predictable! Waiting until you need more intensive treatment may also make it difficult to afford the care you need. 

Schedule an Exam at Enamel Dentistry Today!

Hopefully, this has given you a better understanding of why regular exams and teeth cleanings are so important—even if your teeth or gums feel perfectly fine. We want to help you keep them pain-free and prevent the need for more invasive and expensive procedures. If you’ve been putting off your dental care, don’t wait! Schedule an appointment with us today at one of our convenient locations. When you arrive, you’ll be given a comfort menu filled with amenities that will make you feel right at home. Sit back, relax, and let our team take care of you!