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There’s a reason stores tend to stock so many whitening strips and whitening toothpastes—consumers keep buying them, hoping they’ll do the trick.
But when it comes to toothpaste with charcoal, Hales says that “while the short-term results may look good on social media, the long-term effects [may] do more harm than good.
Please note the date of last review or update on all articles. You can read my story here. Here’s what Hales and other dentists have to say about whether toothpaste with charcoal really works, plus other whitening options to consider.
Does toothpaste with charcoal work?
The dentists we spoke to agree that charcoal toothpaste gives teeth the appearance of being whiter in the short term.
Many brands claim activated charcoal toothpaste can whiten teeth, freshen breath, and even prevent cavities.
But… is this dental product worth the hype?
Charcoal toothpaste benefits include a whiter smile and fresh breath. And lastly, most charcoal toothpastes don't contain fluoride, which protects your teeth against decay.
Also known as activated carbon, activated charcoal is created in a high heat process without oxygen.
Spitting vs. True teeth whitening products use peroxide held against the teeth for 10-60 minutes or more to intrinsically whiten teeth.Charcoal Toothpaste for Bad Breath
Charcoal toothpaste freshens breath by adsorbing to some acidic compounds in the mouth that may cause halitosis.
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. swallowing:
Like with any regular toothpaste, you should not swallow charcoal toothpaste.
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. 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.
Seeing an immediate difference in the before-and-after can hold a lot of sway. Avoid toothpaste with toxic ingredients such as sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), saccharin, or triclosan.
The American Dental Association (ADA) does not recommend using charcoal toothpaste, based on a lack of evidence that it’s effective.
Does charcoal toothpaste damage teeth?
It's simply too abrasive for the task, risking damage to tooth enamel, the protective outer covering of the teeth. In fact, a 2017 review in The Journal of the American Dental Association found that evidence supporting charcoal toothpaste’s whitening or oral-health benefits is limited and inconclusive.
“Charcoal toothpaste has become a huge fad online—especially on TikTok—with videos showing dramatic whitening results,” says Tyler Hales, D.D.S., a cosmetic dentist and founder of Hales Aesthetic in Orange County, CA.
“While it might look effective, the truth is more complicated.”
So is this trendy black paste actually worth adding to your bathroom counter, or should you stick with traditional fluoride formulas?