Charcoal toothpaste can remove some surface stains on your teeth, but it doesn’t whiten teeth better than regular toothpaste. Its long-term effects are unclear.
Charcoal is one of the biggest trends in the world of wellness and cosmetics. It’s become a trendy ingredient in commercial face masks and scrubs, and some people also swear by it for whitening their teeth.
Activated charcoal — the type used in beauty products and toothpaste — is a fine-grain powder made from wood, coconut shells, and other natural substances that are oxidized under extreme heat.
There are many charcoal toothpaste products available online and in most drugstores today. It’s highly absorbent, and it’s used medically to absorb and remove toxins. But does it really work for teeth whitening?
Read on to learn about the benefits and drawbacks of using charcoal toothpaste.
More research is needed on the long-term effects of charcoal toothpaste. A 2017 review warns that dentists should advise their patients to be cautious when using charcoal-based toothpaste due to unproven claims and safety concerns.
Here’s what we do know about charcoal toothpaste so far:
Activated charcoal in toothpaste may help remove surface stains on your teeth. Charcoal is mildly abrasive and is also able to absorb surface stains to some degree.
There is no evidence, though, that it has any effect on stains below a tooth’s enamel, or that it has a natural whitening effect.
In order to whiten teeth, a product needs to work on stains on the surface, as well as intrinsic stains, which are those below the enamel. Intrinsic stains are caused by things like certain medications, overexposure to fluoride, or underlying medical conditions.
While activated charcoal does have some proven benefits, there is not enough scientific evidence to include teeth whitening as one of them.
To date, the only known benefits of charcoal toothpaste are the following:
The cons of using charcoal toothpaste include the following:
You have plenty of safe and effective options if you’re looking to whiten your teeth. Many options are over-the-counter whitening products endorsed by the American Dental Association (ADA).
Professional whitening products are also available through dentists.
Your options include:
When looking for teeth whitening products, look for ones that have the ADA seal of acceptance and ones that contain blue covarine and hydrogen peroxide.
These whitening technologies are the most effective, according to a 2019 study that compared whitening toothpaste and technologies, including activated charcoal.
Although these options may not be as effective as some commercial teeth whitening products, they’re more natural and are easy to use. Talk with a dentist first to find out if these options are right for you:
Regular brushing, including brushing after meals and drinking beverages known to stain teeth (like coffee, tea, and red wine), can help you maintain a whiter smile.
