The toothpaste is made fromactivated charcoal, which is made by heating charcoal with gas.
The heating process opens up the pores of the charcoal, which allows it to trap chemicals.
In fact, in the developed world, activated charcoal is the most commonly usedpoison controltreatment.
Verywell / Theresa Chiechi
That’s because activated charcoal binds to toxins in the gastrointestinal tract, preventing their absorption.
But, does activated charcoal toothpaste work, and is it safe for everyday use?
This article explains charcoal toothpaste benefits, risks, and other natural teeth-whiting remedies to consider.
Verywell / Theresa Chiechi
Activated Charcoal
Activated charcoal is the main ingredient in blacktoothpaste.
In addition, charcoal toothpastes contain other ingredients.
These often include things to stabilize, flavor, and sweeten the toothpaste.
For example, Crests charcoal toothpaste has:
What Is Activated Charcoal?
Charcoal is made from wood, peat, coal, petroleum, or coconut shells.
When charcoal is burned with gas, activated charcoal develops.
This process allows the charcoal to create pores, which can absorb chemicals.
Is Charcoal Toothpaste Safe?
Research on the safety of charcoal toothpaste is limited and inconclusive.
Therefore, more studies are needed to determine the safety of charcoal toothpaste.
However, some safety concerns exist.
For example, charcoal may accumulate in cracks and gaps between teeth and stain arounddental work.
In addition, excessive brushing to remove black charcoal from your teeth may lead to teeth abrasion.
Whitening vs. Charcoal Toothpaste
Regular whitening toothpaste contains abrasives and bleaching agents intended to whiten teeth.
Benefits
Proponents of charcoal toothpaste claim that it has cosmetic and health benefits.
However, there is not sufficient evidence to support these claims.
However, studies do not support this claim.
While some claim charcoal toothpaste has antimicrobial effects, the evidence for this assertion is weak.
The downside is that charcoals abrasiveness may harmtooth enamelwhen used for too long or too aggressively.
In addition, some people should avoid activated charcoal.
These include:
While you should not swallow charcoal toothpaste, sometimes it happens accidentally.
In addition, charcoal toothpaste may get absorbed through the mucus membranes in your mouth.
Charcoal is messy, so be prepared to clean up afterward.
There is some evidence that oil pulling may be beneficial for oral hygiene.
For example, a 2017 review concluded that the limited evidence shows promising benefits for oral hygiene.
However, the authors caution that oil pulling does not replace standard dental care.
Baking Soda
People sometimes usebaking sodaas a scrub for teeth whitening.
Limited evidence supports the use for this purpose.
A 2017 review found that baking soda is safe and effective for stain removal and teeth whitening.
These include:
Summary
People use charcoal toothpaste to whiten teeth and remove bacteria.
However, there is little evidence to support the purported claims.
In addition, activated charcoal is not recommended if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
A Word From Verywell
If you are considering charcoal toothpaste, be sure to read the ingredients.
Other options for natural teeth whitening include oil pulling and baking soda.
Frequently Asked Questions
Whether or not teeth whitening is safe depends on which product you use.
The safest way to keep teeth white is to prevent discoloration.
There is no standard recommendation for how frequently to use charcoal toothpaste.
Talk to your dentist about what frequency they recommend for you.
The cost of professional teeth whitening varies based on geographic location and between offices.
However, the price is generally between $500-$1,000.
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