Is Charcoal Toothpaste Worth It?

Charcoal is one of the most famous cosmetics and wellness trends. It has become a popular ingredient in commercial face scrubs and masks, and there are people that swear by it for teeth whitening. Activated charcoal, used in cosmetics and toothpaste, is a fine-grain powder derived from oxidized wood, coconut shells, and other natural material. Today, numerous charcoal toothpaste brands are available online and in most drugstores.

It is extremely absorbent and is used in medicine to absorb and eliminate toxins. But does it help in whitening teeth? To get answers to these and any other questions you may have regarding dental care for residents of Burlingame, talk to a dentist today.

Is charcoal toothpaste safe?

Further research on the long-term effects of charcoal toothpaste is required. According to a 2017 research, dentists should caution their patients about using charcoal-based products or toothpaste because of untested claims and safety concerns. So far, here is what we know about charcoal toothpaste:

For everyday use, charcoal toothpaste is too abrasive.

Putting an abrasive material on your teeth can erode the enamel. This may cause your teeth to seem yellower by exposing the dentin, a hardened yellow tissue. It may also cause your teeth to become more sensitive.

Fluoride is not included in the majority of charcoal toothpaste.

Fluoride helps to protect your teeth from cavities and decay by helping to maintain the strength of your tooth enamel. There is some evidence that charcoal toothpaste causes more tooth decay.

Some teeth may become stained as a result.

Charcoal particles may build in older teeth’s fractures and grooves.

The effect of charcoal on dental restorations is unknown.

It is unclear how charcoal affects the materials used in bridges, veneers, white fillings, and crowns. Charcoal particles could accumulate between them, giving a black or gray outline.

Does charcoal toothpaste work for whitening?

Activated charcoal toothpaste may aid in the removal of surface stains on your teeth. Charcoal is somewhat abrasive and can absorb surface stains to some extent. However, there is no evidence that it has any effect on stains that lie below a tooth’s enamel or that it has a natural effect on teeth whitening.

To whiten teeth, a treatment must operate on the surface and intrinsic stains behind the enamel. Specific drugs, excessive fluoride exposure, or underlying medical disorders cause intrinsic stains. While activated charcoal has several recognized benefits, insufficient scientific proof exists to include tooth whitening among them.

If you wish to know more about the dental uses of charcoal, talk to a dental expert today.