Although charcoal can adsorb poisons when ingested, there’s no evidence that it detoxifies your mouth or body in any meaningful way.
Is charcoal toothpaste safe to use?
Most charcoal toothpaste is safe to use on a regular basis. We discovered slight erosion on several molars and needed to make some adjustments.
But I tell my patients to limit their use of any whitening toothpaste to no more than 2-3 days per week to prevent enamel erosion and tooth sensitivity.
If you’re looking for a toothpaste for everyday use, choose a hydroxyapatite toothpaste instead. True teeth whitening products use peroxide held against the teeth for 10-60 minutes or more to intrinsically whiten teeth.
Charcoal Toothpaste for Bad Breath
Charcoal toothpaste freshens breath by adsorbing to some acidic compounds in the mouth that may cause halitosis.
“He loved the look and feel initially, but began noticing cold sensitivity and some dark residue near a crown. Speak with a dentist about the best whitening option for you.
It’s not associated with any serious side effects to your oral health.
However, there are a few safety concerns to consider:
Abrasivity: Gritty, abrasive charcoal toothpaste could potentially erode your enamel.
Sign up for my free newsletter and you’ll get my unconventional tips, starting with: If I had a cavity, here’s exactly what I’d do to reverse it.
Does charcoal toothpaste work?
Charcoal toothpaste works to remove some surface stains from teeth. Many options are over-the-counter whitening products endorsed by the American Dental Association (ADA).
Most charcoal toothpaste should not damage teeth. Common causes of extrinsic staining include red wine, coffee, and smoking.
Most charcoal toothpastes are safe to use and contain natural ingredients found in many types of fluoride-free toothpaste. Please note the date of last review or update on all articles. Look for a brand made from coconut charcoal products rather than wood ash.
Paste or charcoal powder, not straight charcoal: Use a carefully chosen charcoal toothpaste or powder as opposed to straight charcoal.
Researchers came to the conclusion that teeth brushed with charcoal toothpaste over a 12-week period not only appeared to have “no clinically acceptable whitening performances,” but also increased surface roughness on the tooth due to enamel abrasion.
Loss of enamel can impact the look of your teeth, but it can also cause additional issues down the line, such as gum recession and decay, warns Jacobs.
“I recall one patient, a man in his forties, who came in six months after switching to a charcoal paste,” he recalled.
swallowing: Like with any regular toothpaste, you should not swallow charcoal toothpaste. Avoid toothpaste with toxic ingredients such as sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), saccharin, or triclosan.
The American Dental Association (ADA) does not recommend using charcoal toothpaste, based on a lack of evidence that it’s effective.
Does charcoal toothpaste damage teeth?
It contains activated charcoal, which is a fine powder composed of coconut shells, wood, and other natural substances oxidized under heat. But does toothpaste with charcoal work?
No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician. Since it's abrasive, it can indeed help remove surface stains on teeth, but there's no evidence it works on stains below the enamel — limiting its effectiveness.
While using charcoal on teeth is safe in small doses, you shouldn't use this type of toothpaste every day.
It may help remove surface stains, but the long-term use of this product is still unknown due to limited studies. There is anecdotal evidence that it may remove some plaque during toothbrushing, but it’s unlikely to remove more plaque than any other kind of toothpaste.
Can you use charcoal toothpaste every day?
You can use most kinds of charcoal toothpaste every day.
This alone may explain its popularity on TikTok and other visual platforms. 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.
Although charcoal toothpaste is getting a lot of attention and press, it’s not more effective than other toothpaste or at-home whitening products on the market.