Are Charcoal Toothpaste Good and Safe?

Charcoal toothpaste has become an exciting trend in recent years. It is a trendy and growing alternative to traditional Fluoride toothpaste and others. Toothpaste brands claim that Activated Charcoal has unique cleansing properties that can result in whiter and brighter teeth. However, that’s what brands will do to promote their Charcoal toothpaste. But Is Charcoal really an effective dental care ingredient? Also, Are Charcoal toothpaste good and safe to use? Join us as we explore the conflicting opinions surrounding the effectiveness and safety of Charcoal toothpaste. 

A lot of you may have Charcoal Toothpaste lying on your bathroom shelf. While some might have gotten it after research, most individuals go with the trend and bring such unique and exciting products home. Charcoal toothpaste is currently one of the highest-selling products, but knowing the science behind its claim is more important than just going behind its popularity. This article will dive into the topic of charcoal toothpaste, exploring whether it can remove stains and detoxify the mouth or not.  

Charcoal Toothpaste- A Quick Introduction

Charcoal toothpaste is a popular oral care product believed to have stain-removing and whitening properties. It contains Activated Charcoal, known for its adsorptive qualities. While it can help remove surface stains, its long-term effectiveness and safety remain debated. 

When compared with traditional toothpaste, Charcoal toothpaste is often more abrasive and thus responsible for causing enamel erosion. Also, since it doesn’t contain any Fluoride content, it isn’t suitable for tooth enamel protection as well. It may be higher in the market trend, but its benefits and suitability for a regular dental care routine are still questioned.

What Does Charcoal Toothpaste Does To Your Teeth?

It is believed and claimed that Charcoal Toothpaste offers several effects on the teeth. Activated Charcoal, typically a black powder, is made out of fine, abrasive grains. When used in toothpaste, it lightens stains on your teeth and, with time, wears them off. It doesn’t change the natural color of teeth but removes any build-up and enhances it with some whitening effect. Activated Charcoal is quite similar to Baking Soda but still with different benefits.

Are Charcoal Toothpastes Bad For Your Teeth?

Charcoal toothpaste is not inherently bad for your teeth, but they aren’t suitable for use in the long run. Due to their abrasive nature, they can wear down tooth enamel over time. Using Charcoal toothpaste for a long can also lead to tooth sensitivity and increase the susceptibility to tooth decay.

While there are enough claims on how effectively Charcoal Toothpaste can whiten your teeth, its’ long-term efficiency lacks evidence. The safety of Activated Charcoal in long-term and regular usage is debatable. Even experts suggest including Fluoride rich toothpaste in your daily dental care routine instead of Charcoal toothpaste. 

Is Charcoal Toothpaste Better Than Regular Toothpaste? Should I Use It Everyday?

Whether Charcoal toothpaste is better than regular toothpaste or not is subjective. The effectiveness and benefits of Charcoal toothpaste depend’ upon one’s oral health needs and individual preferences. However, dentists do not recommend Charcoal Toothpaste any better than regular toothpaste.

Activated Charcoal content in your toothpaste may offer temporary stain removal benefits, but it does nothing more. These toothpastes are highly abrasive and lack fluoride. For regular use, it is better to pick a Fluoride rich toothpaste that can maintain overall dental and oral health. Individuals who have teeth whitening concerns should use Charcoal Toothpaste only once or twice a week. Or consult with a dentist to determine the same. 

Charcoal Toothpaste Benefits

Here are some of the benefits of using Charcoal Toothpaste:

1. Charcoal toothpaste, when used regularly, removes tough stains. With regular usage, it can even prevent teeth staining.
2. Charcoal toothpaste improves bad breath. It absorbs odor-causing compounds and thus leads to fresher breath.
3. Charcoal toothpaste removes plaque and debris from the teeth.
4. Individuals who want to switch to vegan or additives-free toothpaste can choose Charcoal since it is natural.

Charcoal Toothpaste Side Effects/ Drawbacks

Here are some side effects/ drawbacks of using Charcoal Toothpaste:

1. The overuse of Charcoal toothpaste or aggressive brushing can lead to enamel erosion, tooth sensitivity, and tooth decay. 
2. Since Activated Charcoal can wear down the enamel, your teeth may start appearing yellow for some time.
3. Charcoal toothpaste cannot remove the stains below the enamel.
4. Most Charcoal toothpaste doesn’t contain Fluoride and thus lacks in preventing cavity and tooth decay. 
5. Using Charcoal toothpaste can stain older teeth and dental restorations. It isn’t an ideal toothpaste choice for people with veneers, bridges, crowns, and white fillings.
6. The safety and long-term effects of using Charcoal toothpaste are unknown. 
7. The black particles in Charcoal toothpaste may get lodged in cracks and crevices or between teeth. This can result in temporary discoloration. 
8. Regularly using Charcoal toothpaste can lead to gum irritation or inflammation as well. 

Please Note: The individual experiences may vary, and not everyone may experience these benefits or side effects. Using Charocal toothpaste in moderation surely has benefits, but before starting with the same, it is better to consult a dentist. 

Do American Dental Association And Other Such Organizations Approve Charcoal In Toothpaste?

Well, No. Dental health organizations, especially the American Dental Association, have not granted its Seal of Acceptance to any charcoal toothpaste product. ADA believes in scientific evidence and rigorous testing only for evaluating oral and dental care products. However, even after multiple types of research, ADA couldn’t find anything relevant to support Charcoal in toothpaste. 

Is Charcoal Toothpaste Good For Your Face?

No, Charcoal toothpaste isn’t suitable for your face. The Activated Charcoal in toothpaste has adsorptive properties, which are meant for dental care and not skin treatment. Since Charcoal toothpastes are abrasive, they can cause irritation, redness, or damage to the skin barrier.

Also, Charcoal toothpaste’s pH is designed for teeth which is very different from that of skin. Using Charcoal-rich toothpaste on your face can disrupt its pH balance leading to a lot of skin issues. Besides that, toothpaste contains flavorings, surfactants, and preservatives, and none of these are intended for skin use. 

Wrapping up

Overall, using Charcoal toothpaste isn’t approved by both Dental associations and Dentists. Many questions remain about Activated Charcoal’s efficacy and safety for dental care. While it may temporarily remove stains, its abrasive nature and lack of Fluoride have multiple risks to tooth enamel, gums, and oral health. 

At last, before incorporating charcoal toothpaste into your oral care routine, consult with a dentist and look for reliable scientific evidence. If skeptical, go with a Fluoride rich toothpaste, and your dental health will always remain good.