Browse the toothpaste aisle at a high-end outlet, or check your beauty magazine, and you’ve probably seen charcoal toothpaste pop up. Charcoal toothpaste is a popular new way everyone from celebrities on down are using to whiten their teeth naturally. Charcoal toothpaste is definitely popular, but is it safe for teeth?
The good news is that whether activated charcoal works or not, it is certainly safe. Activated charcoal has been used for decades in the medical field to help stop poisoning in its tracks. This toxin binding quality has saved countless lives, but while there have been many studies on its safety and effectiveness in binding to drugs and certain poisons, there has actually been few studies done on its whitening ability.
How charcoal toothpaste can whiten your teeth
Activated charcoal is great at one thing—absorbing contaminants. Just as activated charcoal can save lives by absorbing drugs and poisons, they can benefit your teeth by absorbing stains in your teeth in the same way.
There’s some evidence that charcoal toothpaste may also balance the microbiome in your mouth, helping you prevent cavities in a safe and gentle manner by creating an overall healthier mouth.
Charcoal toothpaste is slightly abrasive, helping to get your teeth extra clean so new stains don’t build up, and old ones are scrubbed away. This abrasive quality also comes with a caution: brush too hard and you may damage your gums and teeth. Ask your dentist for more information about charcoal toothpaste and how it should fit into your tooth care regimen.
Your dentist can help you by recommending brands that are less abrasive, giving you a nice compromise between stain removal and gentleness.
Safe and effective
Charcoal toothpaste is still relatively new to the dentistry world, so there is not much research out on it. Fortunately, we do know that activated charcoal is FDA approved for many medical purposes, and has been in use for over 200 years.
Although there isn’t much research out on charcoal for our teeth yet, what we do know about charcoal is encouraging, and it may be safer than other whitening options such as bleaching or the use of other chemicals to achieve the same results.
Tips for using charcoal toothpaste
Activated charcoal can make a noticeable difference in your smile, but that may not be the only thing you notice after using it. Before you rinse, you may be a little surprised by how black your teeth look after brushing!
You may want to have two toothbrushes, one for the charcoal toothpaste, and one for cleaning up your black teeth afterwards. A microfiber cloth for your sink is also handy. Once you’ve washed away the charcoal, you may be surprised by just how white your teeth look.
Charcoal toothpaste is safe to use as recommended by your dentist. If you have any questions or concerns, it is best to ask your dentist first in order to decide how much and when to use this whitening option for your teeth.
For more information, please contact the expert dental team at Center for Advanced Dentistry in Beachwood, Ohio.