DR KEVWE'S BLOG

The escalating potential for artificial intelligence (AI) to the world of diagnostic tools is a heady stuff. Precisely because the oceans of data from galaxies of sensors can be so deep and the algorithms so convoluted, replicated studies and other means of clinical validation are critically important to prove that the conclusions are accurate. If, for example, we rely on AI to protect our water supplies or to predict clinical outcomes and go further to make critical funding or development decisions based on those systems, our confidence has to be airtight (or at least have faith that it will do at least as well as a human).

You know how some people will observe that an individual has “that look”? Patients who have the same condition often seem to share some common visual characteristics. Face2Gene is an AI system that takes this observation a bit further. It employs deep learning and computer vision to construct syndrome-specific, computational-based classifiers called “syndrome gestalts” based on phenotypic traits. According to Face2Gene, it uses real-world phenotype data with millions of data points for “unique health insights and genomics discoveries.” The company’s disclaimer states that “Face2Gene is a search and reference tool provided for informational purposes and not intended to replace the clinician’s judgment or experience, nor should it be used to diagnose or treat medical conditions.” The free service is only available to healthcare professionals. Doctors who upload patient photos and data to the Face2Gene community are assured that the photos are de-identified in the HIPAA-compliant security system. Only the uploading physician, for example, would be able to view the actual photo, but de-identified binary information from the photos goes into the pool.

To the extent that the phenotypic gestalts are valid, Face2Gene’s technology sounds like an exciting opportunity to advance genetics knowledge. Given its role as a “reference tool”, healthcare professionals should be cautious about relying on the results too heavily

Will brushing your teeth with activated charcoal toothpaste really help whiten them and lift stains? We asked dentists to weigh in on the increasingly popular trend.

Activated charcoal is the buzzy health ingredient of the moment, showing up in everything from supplements to pressed juices to beauty products. And now, it's also made its way to the oral care aisle, with brands like Curaprox and Twin Lotus marketing versions of activated charcoal toothpaste that claim to clean and whiten teeth and eliminate bad breath.



Because it's so porous, activated charcoal is sometimes used in emergency rooms to treat certain kinds of poisoning and overdose—by "soaking up" the poison, charcoal prevents it from being absorbed into the stomach. By this logic, some people believe activated charcoal can also be used to soak up toxins in the body (or in this case, stains on the teeth).

But is it a good idea to use toothpastes that contain activated charcoal? And will the ingredient really whiten and "detox" teeth? We asked dentists for their take.

Should you use an activated charcoal toothpaste?

"Activated charcoal has been used on the body for thousands of years," says Bruce L. Cassis, DDS, a dentist from Fayetteville, WV. "And from a dentist standpoint, I do have patients that use these products and claim to get some benefits."

That said, he cautions that there aren't any long-term studies on activated charcoal as an ingredient in toothpaste.

"The science of charcoal 'attracting' particles has been well-studied in hospital toxicology departments and air filtering systems, but I would wait for more research to determine its true safety, especially when used in the mouth," says Trey Wilson, DDS, a New York City-based dentist. "For example, how does charcoal interact with medicines if swallowed? And how does it affect healthy oral bacteria?"

If your main concern is whiter teeth, Dr. Wilson says home whitening kits or an in-office dental exam will get you the noticeably brighter results you're after. Or for a more natural approach, he suggests swiping the inside of an orange peel over teeth: "It works subtly, but safely."

What to know before you try charcoal toothpaste
If you do decide to use activated charcoal toothpaste, dentists agree that you should do so cautiously and sparingly. Brush with it no more than once every other week, and not for an extended period of time, even if your teeth feel normal.

"It's an abrasive ingredient," Dr. Cassis says, and frequent use could wear down the enamel on your teeth. (That's why certain people should avoid activated charcoal toothpaste altogether: "If you have a lot of recession of gum tissue, the roots of the teeth may become sensitive as a result of the abrasive quality to charcoal toothpastes," says Dr. Wilson.)

Dr. Cassis recommends trying a charcoal toothpaste from a reputable brand and taking note of any unusual symptoms, like raw or bleeding gums and an increase in sensitivity. If you experience any of these symptoms, stop using charcoal toothpaste right away and make an appointment with your dentist.