A prominent New York City dentist says charcoal mouthwash and toothpaste should be avoided by anyone concerned about their dental health.
Dr Jerry Coratola, owner of Rejuvenation Dentistry in Manhattan, told the Daily Mail he would never recommend a patient receive a root canal. He also prides himself on being "one in five" dentists who do not recommend common products and procedures.
And Dr. Curatola warns that modern black charcoal toothpaste can scratch teeth and mouthwash can clean the mouth the wrong way.
Here are common practices that Dr. Curatola says are bogus:
Root canals
More than 41,000 root canals are performed in the United States daily, according to the American Association of Endodontists.
And Dr. Curatola does none of it. "It's the only procedure we do where we keep dead human tissue inside you," he said.
Root canal treatments are designed to eliminate bacteria from an infected root canal, preventing further infection. You may be referred for a root canal if you have deep tooth decay or a cracked tooth.
This procedure has been shown to produce endotoxins linked to systemic disease and cavities around the jaw, Dr. Curatola said. These are bacteria and bacterial byproducts that can malfunction in your immune system.
Symptoms of a failed root canal include pain and swelling of the gums, tooth discoloration, pustules on the gums and sinus problems, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
Instead, Dr. Curatola suggests dental implants made of ceramic materials such as zirconia.
In these procedures, a metal column will be installed in the patient's mouth with a false tooth installed.
However, these procedures may cost more than five times as much. But the process and the recovery itself is usually much longer as well.
Charcoal toothpaste
Activated charcoal toothpaste has become increasingly popular over the past few years.
Proponents claim that it can whiten teeth, remove surface stains, remove plaque, and freshen breath.
However, Dr. Curatola warns against using it because it is an abrasive.
"If you use it every day, you will wear away the enamel, and your teeth will become more sensitive," he said.
Research is still limited, though most suggest that charcoal toothpaste is either harmful or doesn't make a meaningful difference.
A 2017 study found that due to its abrasiveness, activated charcoal can damage tooth enamel when used for too long or too vigorously.
In addition, a 2019 review in the British Dental Journal found that charcoal does not protect teeth from cavities.
A 2021 study compared the whitening effects of charcoal and fluoride toothpaste and found no difference.
Metal fillings
Metal fillings, known as dental amalgams, have been in use since the early 19th century.
However, the dentist said there is a lack of safety and efficacy studies supporting these fillings. The main problem with this treatment is that the metal is unstable, which causes mercury vapor to be released into the mouth.
And in 2020, the US Food and Drug Administration advised against the use of metal fillings in certain high-risk groups, including pregnant and breastfeeding women, children, people with neurological conditions such as Parkinson's disease, and people with impaired kidney function.
There is still limited data on the long-term effects of mercury vapor in this population, although the FDA states that these groups may be more vulnerable to potentially harmful effects.
Excess amounts of mercury are associated with sleep disturbances, fatigue, tremors, visual changes, and difficulty with coordination.
Dr. Curatola suggests ceramic, porcelain, BPA-composite, or resin fillings instead.
Mouthwash
"Mouthwash has absolutely no value in oral care," said Dr. Curatola. "It's another man-made innovation by the consumer products industry."
Many mouthwashes contain parabens, chemicals used as preservatives in foods, cosmetics, and toothpaste.
While parabens destroy harmful microbes and small organisms such as bacteria, they also eat away at the healthy cells of the mouth.
"I'm always amazed that dentists give people little bottles of mouthwash at their cleaning visits that are filled with alcohol, artificial dyes, and colors like fluorescent blue, which is made from coal tar, a known carcinogen," Curatola said.
Instead, Dr. Curatola recommended choosing a homemade mouthwash with ingredients like spring water and essential oils like peppermint and Himalayan salt.
The 7 "silent" signs on your skin that could mean you have diabetes
Diabetes is a serious, chronic condition that lasts a lifetime. The disease causes high levels of sugar in the blood, whether in the first type of disease or the second most common type.
While the main symptoms usually include extreme thirst and an increased need to urinate, there may also be telltale signs that appear on the skin.
There are two types of diabetes, the main difference being that type one is a genetic condition, and type two is mainly due to lifestyle choices. But both are dangerous and can lead to serious health complications.
According to one study, skin complications are often the first visible sign of diabetes.
With this in mind, it is important to know how the disease can manifest itself in your skin.
Pharmacist Bruce Green said the skin of people with diabetes can be similar to skin that has aged prematurely.
He continued, "The process of changing the skin is the glia. It is a process in which proteins and sugars are linked to glycation end product compounds (compounds formed naturally in the body as a result of the chemical interaction of sugars with proteins). There is a negative effect on skin elasticity, when collagen and elastin are strengthened."
He explained that skin problems are more likely among diabetics due to poor circulation and decreased nerve sensitivity.
In addition, Bruce said there are six major warning signs to be aware of.
Signs to watch out for on the skin are:
Yellow or brown spots or bumps
Dark, velvety areas often around the neck and armpits
Thick patches of skin on the fingers and toes
Sudden appearance of blisters
Cavities on the skin are barely noticeable
- The appearance of very dry and itchy skin spots, especially on the arms
However, these are not the only symptoms to watch out for, as the NHS recommends that you see your doctor if you feel very thirsty or urinate more frequently than usual, especially at night.
Feeling very tired, losing weight, frequent bouts of thrush and blurred vision are also warning signs of diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes can develop rapidly over weeks or even days. Many people have type 2 diabetes for years without realizing it because early symptoms tend to be general, or no symptoms at all.
The life-threatening condition is often caused by poor lifestyle habits such as eating too many unhealthy foods or not exercising.
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