TL;DR:
Charcoal toothpaste may seem like a natural solution to whiter teeth and fresher breath, but the science tells a more complicated story. While it can remove surface stains, many dental experts agree that the risks to your enamel often outweigh the benefits.
In this blog, you’ll learn that charcoal toothpaste:
- Removes surface stains only but does not truly whiten teeth
- Can be highly abrasive, leading to enamel erosion and sensitivity
- Often lacks fluoride or hydroxyapatite, providing no cavity protection
- Often provides whitening results that are temporary and cosmetic
- Is best used rarely (if at all), and is not recommended by most dental experts for daily use
There are trends in every industry, and the oral health industry is no exception. One of the latest trends in oral health is charcoal toothpaste. But is charcoal toothpaste good for your teeth? No, not necessarily.
Many aspects of charcoal whitening toothpaste might make it enticing, but when it comes down to it, using charcoal toothpaste presents risk to your teeth and gums.
Let’s take a closer look at activated charcoal toothpaste’s benefits and risks so that you can compare them and learn more about whether this type of toothpaste is the safest and most effective option for you and your family.
What Is Charcoal Toothpaste?
Charcoal toothpaste is toothpaste that contains activated charcoal as an ingredient.
Keep in mind that activated charcoal is different from standard charcoal (e.g. the charcoal bricks you might use to start your grill).
Activated charcoal is made by burning certain high-carbon materials and then heating them in incredibly high heat—between 1,100 and 1,600 ℉—to activate it. The charcoal is then washed and dried, creating a fine-grained, absorbent product that is suitable for medical use. This leaves many wondering: if in fact it has medical uses, is activated charcoal healthy or recommended for dental use? In other words is charcoal teeth whitening toothpaste a good choice?Truthfully, the answer is no.
Charcoal has been used for centuries around the world to absorb poisons, treat stomach problems, and, yes, even remove surface stains and help clean teeth. But there are many potential charcoal toothpaste side effects that can be uncomfortable, unpleasant, or even risky.
To be clear, activated charcoal is still used in medical settings to help absorb certain ingested poisons or substances, and it can be incredibly useful for that purpose when done under the supervision of a medical doctor, but other uses should be carefully considered.
Recently, charcoal use has become popular in cosmetic products—particularly in those that are advertised as “natural.” Activated charcoal toothpaste products, in particular, have shown up everywhere, on the shelves, in targeted ads, and all over social media.
But is it all it’s cracked up to be? After all, something that’s good for one use case is often not good for another. You wouldn’t for example, use a kitchen degreaser to wash your face just because it cuts through grime effectively. Why? Because doing so would be severely drying. You also wouldn’t use sandpaper to polish glass and expect smooth, clean results.
The same is true for charcoal toothpaste. Charcoal toothpaste simply isn’t the safest and most effective option, so it’s usually better avoided. But let’s dig a little deeper into why that is so you can understand the full story.
Exploring Charcoal Toothpaste’s Pros and Cons
Some people claim that charcoal toothpaste is a better alternative to traditional toothpaste, boasting that it can whiten teeth, freshen breath, and remove stains. However, there is limited scientific evidence to support these claims. Moreover, the safety and effectiveness of charcoal toothpaste is not well established.
Here are some possible pros and cons of using charcoal toothpaste vs regular toothpaste:
Pros of Charcoal Toothpaste:
- Some people find that charcoal toothpaste is effective at removing surface stains from teeth, making them appear brighter and whiter.
- Charcoal toothpaste may help to freshen breath by absorbing odors and bacteria from the mouth.
Cons of Charcoal Toothpaste:
- There is little scientific evidence to support the effectiveness of charcoal toothpaste. Some studies have found that it is no more effective at whitening teeth or removing stains than traditional toothpaste.
- Charcoal toothpaste is very often highly abrasive and can damage the enamel on your teeth. This can make your teeth more sensitive and even more prone to cavities.
- Charcoal toothpaste is sometimes very difficult to rinse off, which can leave a black residue on your teeth and gums.
- Some people may be allergic to the ingredients in charcoal toothpaste.
Note: It is important to keep in mind that charcoal toothpaste is not a replacement for regular oral hygiene practices such as brushing and flossing. It is also important to consult with a dental professional before using any new oral hygiene product to ensure that it is safe and appropriate for you.
What Do Studies Show About Activated Charcoal?
While many companies selling products with activated charcoal make big claims, the benefits of using activated charcoal at home are limited, according to scientific research.
Apart from the medical use of activated charcoal to treat poisoning, studies show inconsistent results for other use cases.
Though proponents claim activated charcoal can treat anything from indigestion to kidney disease to gas to cholesterol, more research is needed and few home treatments appear to be reliably effective.
Very few, if any, studies provide definitive answers on whether activated charcoal toothpaste works as its proponents claim. For that reason, scientists are not confident in recommending it.
Here’s the Bottom Line: If you’re thinking of using charcoal toothpaste for whitening teeth or freshening breath, you might be well-served to seek out other alternatives first. There are plenty of safe, effective, nontoxic whitening toothpastes with natural anticavity fighting properties, like those in the SuperMouth oral care line.
The History of Charcoal Toothpaste
Charcoal toothpaste isn’t a new product. In fact, there’s evidence of charcoal being used for oral hygiene by early populations, including a record of Hippocrates recommending a charcoal dentifrice powder over 2,500 years ago.
By the 18th century, some Europeans cleaned their mouths with rags rolled in soot or a powder made of burnt bread. However, once a more modern version of toothpaste was made available in the mid-1800s, it smelled, tasted, and looked significantly more appealing. It was also safer to use.
As such, western cultures moved away from charcoal toothpaste until its recent resurgence. So, if it’s been used for centuries, does charcoal toothpaste work as well as advertisements would have you think? The short answer is no.
Activated Charcoal in Dentistry: Okay Then, Better Skipped Now
People often ask, “Does charcoal toothpaste whiten teeth?” or “Is charcoal toothpaste safe?”, and while it can whiten teeth, it’s not the safest option to use. While there is a long history of charcoal being used for oral hygiene, present-day charcoal toothpaste benefits are often overstated.
Oral care technology has advanced significantly so that, while charcoal may have been cutting-edge a long time ago, using charcoal is no longer necessary, or even advisable.
So why is charcoal toothpaste trending? The reason that it is so popular and talked about today may be attributable to the fact that what is old sometimes seems “new again” by contrast. Sometimes the unfamiliar can seem like the better, but that is clearly not always the case.
How to Choose a Safe & Effective Toothpaste
If charcoal toothpaste isn’t the best option what is? After all, proper brushing is essential in preventing tooth decay. In truth, there are many different types of toothpaste available, and it can be overwhelming to try to choose the right one. Here are some things to consider when selecting a toothpaste:
- Remineralization: Look for a toothpaste that contains fluoride and/or nano-hydroxyapatite, which helps to prevent tooth decay.
- Sensitivity: If you have sensitive teeth or gums, look for a toothpaste that is specifically designed for sensitive teeth.
- Whitening: If you’re looking to whiten your teeth, choose a toothpaste that contains whitening agents.
- Tartar control: If you have a problem with tartar buildup, look for a toothpaste that contains tartar-control agents.
- Flavor: Choose a toothpaste with a natural flavor that you enjoy, as this will make it more pleasant to use.
Charcoal Toothpaste: The Final Word
While activated charcoal has some benefits, it also comes with real risks for your oral health. Occasional use may help with surface stains, but frequent use can damage enamel and irritate gums—often doing more harm than good.
Safer, more effective options exist. Choose a toothpaste that supports remineralization and maintains a healthy oral microbiome rather than relying on abrasive ingredients.
Your oral health is closely linked to your overall health, so it’s worth getting it right. Instead of following trends, talk to your dentist about the best products for your needs. Dr. Hoss also advises talking to your kids about the danger of social media trends. If you’d like to learn more about how to properly take care of your mouth and what it can mean for your overall health, check out Dr. Hoss’s book, “If Your Mouth Could Talk.”
Charcoal Toothpaste FAQs
Does Charcoal Toothpaste Work?
Charcoal toothpaste may remove some surface stains because of its abrasive properties, making teeth temporarily appear brighter. However, it doesn’t bleach teeth or address deeper discoloration, so its whitening effects are limited.
Is Charcoal Toothpaste Safe?
Charcoal toothpaste is generally not recommended for regular use. Its abrasiveness can gradually wear away enamel, potentially contributing to tooth sensitivity, increased staining, gum irritation, and a greater risk of cavities.
Do Dentists Recommend Charcoal Toothpaste?
Many dental professionals recommend caution with charcoal toothpaste because there’s limited evidence supporting its benefits and concerns about its abrasiveness. For everyday brushing, dentists generally recommend toothpaste with proven ingredients that help strengthen enamel and prevent tooth decay, such as fluoride.
What Are the Side Effects of Charcoal Toothpaste?
Potential charcoal toothpaste side effects include enamel erosion, tooth sensitivity, gum irritation or recession, and an increased risk of cavities. Charcoal particles may also collect around dental restorations or beneath the gumline, potentially causing irritation or unwanted discoloration.
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A Visual History of the Toothbrush
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