The Truth About Charcoal Toothpaste | Family Dentistry, Wichita, Kansas

Many advertising campaigns claim that the fine powder activated charcoal found in charcoal-based toothpaste traps toxins, plaque, and bacteria and removes them from the enamel of the tooth’s surface. While this theory is typically spread around social media platforms, there is no credible scientific evidence supporting any detoxification benefits of using charcoal toothpaste. There is actually a much higher volume of data to support claims that charcoal adheres to all deposits on tooth surfaces, including plaque, bacteria, and other deposits. Don’t let the Instagram ads and Pinterest posts fool you; charcoal toothpaste may not have as many health benefits as you think!

You have probably been told that charcoal toothpaste is a healthy and natural alternative to regular toothpaste, but what if we told you that charcoal toothpaste could potentially increase your risk of dental decay? In activated charcoal toothpaste, it is very rare to find any amount of fluoride. In fact, in 2019, a review of 50 charcoal toothpastes published in the British Dental Journal found only eight percent of charcoal toothpastes available online contained fluoride. This is particularly important to the overall health of an individual’s teeth as fluoride increases enamel remineralization and decreases tooth decay. Because activated charcoal has been proven to absorb fluoride and render it inactive, unable to remineralize the tooth enamel, charcoal toothpaste has a much higher potential to lead to dental decay. If you want to keep your teeth healthy and strong, our dentists at Cambridge Family Dentistry in Wichita, Kansas, recommend opting for toothpaste with fluoride!

Possibly the greatest claim associated with charcoal toothpaste is the promise of a whiter smile. While fine powder activated charcoal works to gently remove surface stains from the teeth through light abrasive forces, there have been no controlled clinical studies to support evidence of any cosmetic benefits such as teeth whitening. If a person repeatedly brushes their teeth with a charcoal-based toothpaste to achieve the desired whitening effect quickly, they will strip the white outer enamel layer of their tooth, exposing the inner yellow dentine layer. If you are looking to whiten your teeth and brighten your smile, it is best practice to ditch the DIY toothpaste and contact your dentist to discuss your options and schedule professional whitening services.