Whiter teeth for a flawless smile. “Whitening is a cosmetic dentistry procedure that is experiencing a phase of great demand”: every year at least 120 thousand Italians ask the dentist for it, anxious to “lighten the color of teeth that become stained and yellow due to the consumption of enamel and the coloring action of smoke and some foods, such as coffee, tea, red wine, blueberry fruit juices”. The data emerged during the last Congress of the Italian Academy of Conservative and Restorative Dentistry (Aic), during which a study was presented according to which “over half of the patients interviewed are dissatisfied with the color of their teeth”. The experts remember thisDoctor, is it true?', the anti-fake news portal managed by the National Federation of Orders of Surgeons and Dentists.
How to whiten your teeth safely? To answer the question, the anti-hoax doctors first clarify the whitening toothpastes which “are increasingly found in pharmacies or on supermarket shelves” and have “a very dark texture, given the presence of the vegetable activated carbon. It may be true that its high absorbent capacity helps to remove plaque, tartar and other substances that ruin the natural whiteness of the teeth”, however “one cannot fail to consider the abrasive action of the product, which in the long run could ruin the enamel permanently”, warn the experts. “The charcoal powder has a certain abrasive effect and therefore can promote the whitening of the teeth by eliminating acquired surface colours”, admits Edoardo Baldoni, full professor of odontostomatological diseases at the University of Sassari. “It is not able to eliminate deep coloration, but it could be helpful in combating bad breath. However – he specifies – there are still no reliable scientific studies (randomized and controlled) that confirm both of these characteristics, also because the availability of the product under form of toothpaste is relatively recent”.
According to a study published in 'The Journal of the American Dental Association', the doctors explain, “there is no scientific evidence demonstrating the effectiveness of activated charcoal for cleaning and whitening teeth. The authors conducted a review of the literature to examine the effectiveness and safety of charcoal-based toothpastes, identifying 118 potentially suitable articles. None of them were convincing enough and the research showed that there is insufficient evidence to support safety and effectiveness activated charcoal-based toothpastes. Larger studies are needed to establish conclusive evidence and in the meantime it is recommended not to use it.”
What to do then? For Baldoni, the anti-hoax doctors illustrate, “the first thing to do is a professional oral hygiene session to eliminate bacterial plaque, tartar and superficial stains from the teeth. Next, three possibilities can be evaluated. The first is the use prolonged use of whitening toothpastes, being careful to avoid those that are too abrasive which could damage the enamel in the long run. The second is to use whitening chemicals in the form of applicator brushes, strips or masks to apply on the teeth for a few minutes every day, until the desired color is achieved; the best product and the most suitable modality must be individually recommended by the dentist or dental hygienist. The third possibility is to undergo professional whitening sessions with the use of peroxide-based substances at greater concentration, with or without the help of lights at particular frequencies, which allow the elimination of even deep and persistent discolorations more quickly”. However, it is “absolutely not recommended to use 'do it yourself' methods without consult your dentist first.”
But having white teeth is equivalent to having healthy teeth? “The natural color of the teeth – replies Baldoni – is genetically correlated with that of the skin, eyes and hair. Having teeth with a uniformly more intense color does not mean that they are unhealthy, but the presence of individual teeth with greyish reflections or stains dark can signal the presence of cavities or infiltrations. On the contrary, the presence of chalky areas or white spots can mean that there are alterations to the enamel, which can be congenital or acquired uniform color in all areas of the crown and not all teeth are the same color in the various areas of the mouth. For example, canines always have a more intense tone than all the others. They are currently fashionable, or in any case appreciated and socially appreciated – observes the specialist – teeth artificially made very uniform and very white, but which are rarely found in nature”.
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