Charcoal toothpaste whitening
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Specifically, it may wear down enamel, which harms overall dental health in several ways.
“I’ve had patients—especially those who brush forcefully or use gritty charcoal pastes—present with increased sensitivity or even dull-looking teeth,” Khalife says, stressing that when “enamel wears away, it can’t be regenerated.”
A 2021 study backs this up.
Many brands of charcoal toothpaste are lower on the relative dentin abrasivity scale than popular whitening toothpaste brands, like Crest. After extensive testing, I found the best charcoal toothpaste on the market is Hyperbiotics Charcoal Toothpaste.
Hyperbiotics’ toothpaste features:
- Active probiotics to support fresh breath and a healthy oral microbiome
- Very low abrasivity
- Xylitol to support tooth remineralization
- Baking soda for supporting a healthy pH in the mouth
FAQs
Q
Will activated charcoal stain crowns/fillings/veneers?
A
Charcoal toothpaste is safe for fillings, veneers, crowns, caps, etc.
However, it will likely not have the same effect removing stains from your dental appliances as it does on natural teeth.
Q
Is charcoal toothpaste safe for pregnant women or for children?
A
Charcoal toothpaste is considered safe during pregnancy.
Charcoal can be a part of the routine—but only with clear-eyed expectations and expert oversight.”
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Charcoal Toothpaste: Safety, Teeth Whitening, & Best Brands
Charcoal toothpaste is a popular dental health trend. The lack of fluoride in many charcoal toothpaste formulas is also a drawback, as low amounts of fluoride work to protect tooth enamel and prevent bacteria that cause cavities.
Other teeth whitening options
The idea of effective, safe, at-home teeth whitening remains alluring.
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. Always finish brushing your teeth with charcoal by thoroughly rinsing with water.
Please note the date of last review or update on all articles. “Activated charcoal has long been used in medicine for its absorption properties,” Johannes Jacobs, D.D.S., founder of Jacobs & Associates Dental in Oakville, Ontario, says. So whether or not toothpaste with charcoal actually “works” depends on what you’re hoping to get out of the experience.
Benefits of toothpaste with charcoal
Unfortunately, the list of benefits when it comes to charcoal toothpaste is pretty short.
There are times it seems to really deserve the praise, but what about when it comes to charcoal toothpaste?
Meet the experts: Tyler Hales, D.D.S., a cosmetic dentist and founder of Hales Aesthetic in Orange County, CA; Johannes Jacobs, D.D.S., founder of Jacobs & Associates Dental in Oakville, Ontario; Nicole Khalife, D.D.S., owner of Lux Smiles NYC
Advocates say charcoal toothpaste lifts stains and detoxes your mouth, but many dentists aren’t so quick to smile about it.
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.
This isn’t the first time the buzzy ingredient has started popping up everywhere; over the years, influencers have raved about face masks, supplements, and more products featuring charcoal front and center.
Speak with a dentist about the best whitening option for you.
Does Toothpaste With Charcoal Actually Work? Used improperly, the abrasive property of charcoal can quickly cause enamel erosion.
The Best Charcoal Toothpaste
I’ve reviewed many charcoal toothpastes to find my favorite brand.
A hydroxyapatite or fluoride toothpaste will actively strengthen enamel to prevent the formation of cavities. It takes 2-3 weeks to notice whiter teeth while using charcoal toothpaste every day.
A study in 2017 found that charcoal was less effective at whitening teeth than hydrogen peroxide (found in small amounts in most over-the-counter whitening toothpaste) and blue covarine.
However, no toothpaste (charcoal included) can actually whiten your tooth enamel from the inside out.
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.
This alone may explain its popularity on TikTok and other visual platforms. Many kinds of charcoal toothpaste use a peppermint flavoring for a minty experience.
Charcoal Toothpaste to Prevent Cavities
According to the best available science, charcoal toothpaste cannot prevent cavities.
How to Find High-Quality Charcoal Toothpaste
To find high-quality charcoal toothpaste, look for these criteria:
- Made in the USA: In 2007, The NY Times ran an article about the FDA confiscating toxic toothpaste made in a foreign country.
Namely, charcoal’s gritty texture helps polish away superficial stains—such as those from coffee, wine, or tobacco, notes Khalife—giving teeth a smoother feel and slightly brighter appearance right after brushing. 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.