Experts say these toothpaste ingredients can damage your teeth
Flouride, coconut oil, charcoal and sea salt can cause problems for several body functions
(Web Desk) – Many of us don’t realise whether any particular ingredient in our toothpaste is beneficial or harmful for our teeth. In marketing and ads, the companies often claim one particular ingredient is the solution to all our oral hygiene concerns. Teeth whitening is one such selling point for marketers and many toothpastes today are sold in on this claim.
Express.co.uk discussed the issue with Dr Nigel Carter, a dentist, and found that natural ingredients like charcoal and coconut oil that are claimed to cure problems related to teeth are not as effective as shown on advertisements.
Fluoride
A number of health specialists and experts have pointed out in recent times that fluoride, integral part of most toothpastes, is not the best remedy for tooth decay. It gives a permanent mottled appearance to teeth. Also, it causes risk of adverse effects on nervous system and brittle bone disease.
Sea salt
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Being another teeth whitener, sea salt in toothpastes endangers tge tooth enamel. It can hardly help prevent tooth decay. Sea salt products are relatively new and trendy in market. There is not much research to support their benefits for teeth.
Charcoal
Charcoal is claimed to absorb toxins and germs from teeth. It has a history of being used to prevent poisoning, however, the ingredient is abrasive in nature. Charcoal can also cause damage to tooth enamel. Experts are not sure whether the amount of fluoride and charcoal used in toothpastes are satisfactory for teeth whitening as well as prevention of tooth decay. Further research is required to prove the claimed benefits of charcoal for teeth like removing stains that turn teeth yellow.
Coconut oil
Like all the other natural ingredients above, coconut oil is said to be part of ancient Indian medicine “ayurved”. It is claimed to cure issues related to teeth and gums. The product manufacturers say it can prevent growth of plague, gum disease and tooth decay due to antibacterial nature.
The truth is that none of the qualities can be backed by medical research. Coconut oil can cause stomach problems and can only give temporary teeth whitening.
