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, 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 are temporary and cosmetic
- Is best used rarely (if at all), and is not recommended 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.
Many aspects of charcoal whitening toothpaste might make it enticing, but is it actually safe for your teeth and gums? The short answer is no.
Let’s take a closer look at activated charcoal toothpaste’s benefits and risks so that you can learn more about whether this type of toothpaste is safe and effective 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? 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, 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.
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:
- 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:
- 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. Therefore, 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
Considering charcoal toothpaste benefits is not a new concept. 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.
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?
Activated Charcoal in Dentistry: Okay Then, Better Skipped Now
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. Perhaps more importantly, using charcoal is probably no longer the best option. The reason that it is so trendy 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.
Oral Health Benefits of Activated Charcoal
There are some charcoal toothpaste benefits to acknowledge. Because activated charcoal is capable of absorption, it can:
- Absorb surface stains on your teeth
- Reduce an acidic pH in your mouth
- Improve bad breath by absorbing excess plaque
However, these benefits aren’t guaranteed and will be temporary. Charcoal toothpaste can’t provide long-term solutions to these problems.
Health Risks of Activated Charcoal
Even if you do experience some charcoal toothpaste benefits, it’s essential to be aware of charcoal toothpaste health risks, too, as they could impact your oral health for life. Here are some of the risks associated with using charcoal toothpaste:
- Irreversible erosion of your tooth structure
- Dental sensitivity
- Gum recession
- Increased risk of cavities
- Gum inflammation and trauma
Some patients also wonder, “Can you use activated charcoal on crowns, veneers, or other dental restorations?” While it’s not explicitly detrimental to dental work and restorations, the abrasiveness of charcoal toothpaste could impact the integrity of the restorations.
Does Charcoal Toothpaste Work?
You’ve probably seen charcoal toothpaste trending and wondered: Does charcoal toothpaste actually work—and is it safe?
The answer is nuanced. Activated charcoal is both porous and mildly abrasive, which allows it to bind to surface stains, plaque, and odor-causing compounds. This can make teeth appear whiter and breath fresher—temporarily.
However, charcoal only removes surface stains, not deeper discoloration, meaning it doesn’t truly whiten or bleach teeth. And the same abrasiveness that helps polish stains can also wear down enamel over time, increasing sensitivity and risk of damage.
Is Charcoal Toothpaste Safe?
Not for regular use. Repeated use can damage both teeth and gums, which is why the American Dental Association (ADA) advises caution.
Charcoal toothpaste is often highly abrasive, which can wear down enamel over time—leading to sensitivity, staining, gum recession, and a higher risk of cavities. In some cases, it can even do the opposite of what you want, making teeth appear darker as enamel thins.
Charcoal particles can also get trapped under the gums, causing irritation or inflammation, and may settle into cracks or around dental work like crowns and veneers, creating unwanted discoloration.
While it may not stain braces, it’s best to avoid charcoal toothpaste altogether—especially if you have restorations or are looking for a safe, long-term whitening solution.
How to Choose a Safe & Effective Toothpaste
Proper brushing is essential in preventing tooth decay. 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.Your mouth is the gateway to your body, and your oral health is connected to your whole-body health. Keeping your teeth, gums, and mouth healthy is more important than you might think. Kids who don’t brush their teeth or use oral products correctly can experience life-long consequences of poor oral health.
Rather than taking chances with trendy products that make big claims, talk to your dentist about finding a toothpaste that meets 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.”
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A Visual History of the Toothbrush
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