Dentist reveals four common practices that ruin your teeth
Dr. Gerry Curatola is a biological dentist in New York City
Mouthwash and charcoal toothpaste should be avoided by anyone concerned about the health of their teeth, says a leading New York City dentist.
Dr. Gerry Curatola, owner of Rejuvenation Dentistry in Manhattan, told DailyMail.com that he would also never recommend that a patient get a root canal.
He boasts that he is the ‘one in five’ dentists who do not recommend popular products and procedures.
Dr. Curatola warns that trendy black charcoal toothpaste can scratch one’s teeth and that mouthwash can over clean one’s mouth.
Meanwhile spending extra to pass the root canal and go for a dental implant instead of a root canal.
Here are the five practices Dr. Curatola are fake:
Root canals
Dr. Curatola said root canals produce endotoxins, which can disrupt the immune system
More than 41,000 root canals are performed every day in the US, according to the American Association of Endodontists.
None of them are performed by Dr. trustee.
“It’s the only procedure we do where we keep human dead tissue in you,” he said.
Root canal treatments are designed to remove bacteria from the infected root canal, which prevents further infection
You may be referred for a root canal treatment if you have deep tooth decay, a crack or chip in the tooth, or a defective crown.
Dr. Curatola said this procedure has been shown to produce endotoxins linked to systemic disease and cavities around the jaw.
‘These are bacteria and bacterial by-products that can disrupt your immune system. So they’re really not healthy for the patient in the long run,” he said.
Symptoms of a failed root canal include pain, swollen gums, pus, drainage, tooth discoloration, pimples on the gums and sinus problems, according to Cleveland clinic.
Dr. Curatola instead suggests dental implants made from ceramic materials such as zirconia.
In these procedures, a patient gets a metal pole in their mouth with a false tooth attached.
However, these procedures can cost up to five times more. The surgery and recovery itself usually take much longer.
Charcoal Toothpaste
Toothpaste made from activated charcoal has become increasingly popular in recent years.
Proponents claim it can whiten teeth, remove surface stains, remove plaque, and freshen breath.
Dr. However, Curatola warns against it because of its abrasive effect.
“It’s the equivalent of using Ajax on your teeth,” he said. “If you brush with it every day, you’re going to chip away at your enamel and make your teeth more sensitive.”
Research is still limited, although most suggests that charcoal toothpaste is either harmful or makes no meaningful difference.
Although trendy, charcoal toothpaste can be abrasive, damaging enamel. It also has little effect on the whiteness of teeth, according to research
A 2017 study found that activated charcoal can damage tooth enamel due to its abrasiveness if used too long or too aggressively.
In addition, a 2019 judgement in the British Dental Journal found that charcoal does little to protect against tooth decay.
And a 2021 study compared the whitening effects of charcoal toothpaste and fluoride and found no difference.
Metal fillings
Metal fillings can be unstable and the mercury they produce can have lasting effects on pregnant women and young children
Metal fillings, known as dental amalgam, have been used since the early 19th century.
However, the dentist said there is a lack of safety and efficacy studies supporting these fillings.
His main problem with this treatment is that the metal is not stable, causing mercury vapor to be released into the mouth.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) estimates that half of the contents of a dental amalgam is mercury.
In 2020, the FDA metal fillings are not recommended for certain risk groups, including pregnant women, breastfeeding women, children, people with neurological disorders 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 these populations, although the FDA states that these groups may be more susceptible to potentially adverse effects.
Excessive amounts of mercury are associated with sleep disturbances, fatigue, tremors, visual changes and coordination problems.
Dr. Curatola suggests ceramic, porcelain, BPA composite or resin fillings instead.
Mouthwash
Many mouthwashes contain parabens. While parabens can kill harmful bacteria in the mouth, it also eliminates healthy forms of bacteria
“Mouthwash has absolutely no value in oral care,” said Dr. Curatola.
“It’s another man-made creation of the consumer products industry.”
Many mouthwashes contain parabens, chemicals used as preservatives in foods, cosmetics and toothpaste.
While parabens destroy harmful microbes, tiny organisms such as bacteria, they also affect the healthy cells of the mouth.
Dr. Curatola described using products intended to “kill germs on contact” as “spraying napalm” over a coral reef to protect your oral health.
“I’m always amazed that dentists give people little bottles of mouthwash that’s full of alcohol, artificial dyes and colors like that fluorescent blue color, made from coal tar, a known carcinogen,” he said.
Dr. Instead, Curatola recommended opting for a homemade mouthwash with ingredients such as spring water, essential oils such as spearmint and Himalayan salt.