Activated charcoal has been popping up in everything lately, from face masks, to soaps, to scrubs, and, yes, even toothpaste. Made from coal, wood, and other substances, activated charcoal has long been used to treat poison and indigestion, and has gained a solid reputation as a miracle cure. But should activated charcoal be applied to your teeth? Our South Park cosmetic dentists share their opinion.
What is Activated Charcoal, Anyway?
Activated charcoal is made primarily from coal and wood, but can also contain other burned things, like coconut shells and bones. It becomes “activated” when high temperatures combine with a gas activating agent to expand its surface area. When a person or animal ingests activated charcoal, drugs and toxins bind to it, preventing them from being absorbed into the bloodstream. That’s why activated charcoal has been used as far back as ancient times to treat poisoning, sicknesses, and drug overdoses.
The Effects of Charcoal on Oral Health
There has been very little evidence of charcoal toothpaste’s safety and effectiveness. In September 2017, the American Dental Association published a peer-reviewed review wherein researchers studied the effects of charcoal toothpaste on oral hygiene. Ultimately, researchers found little evidence that charcoal reduces bacteria, prevents cavities, or even reduces tooth stains. Researchers even pointed out some possible carcinogenic ingredients in charcoal that could be damaging to human health.
The Effects of Charcoal on Tooth Enamel
While more research may one day contradict previous studies’ findings, there is something we do know for certain about activated charcoal: it’s extremely abrasive on teeth. When you scrub your teeth with charcoal, you are essentially scouring away the enamel, exposing the sensitive dentin beneath. Since dentin is naturally yellow, this means that charcoal toothpaste won’t make your teeth appear whiter; on the contrary, it will make them look more stained than they would be without the toothpaste. The same goes for many abrasive whitening toothpastes advertised on social media—yes, they “whiten”, but only by removing the enamel entirely.
Skip the Toothpaste and Get South Park Teeth Whitening!
The bottom line? If you want to have whiter, brighter teeth, the safest and most effective method is professional tooth whitening from a licensed dentist—not a gimmicky toothpaste. Our South Park whitening services and professional-grade whitening trays are stronger and more effective than anything you can get from a box at the store, and can be applied safely under your dentist’s supervision. Learn more about our South Park tooth whitening here, and if you would like to request an appointment, just click here.