Charcoal Toothbrush? Charcoal Toothpaste?

The Facts You Need!

Charcoal toothpaste is suddenly available everywhere. You brush your teeth regularly, you floss and gargle with mouth rinse but you still can't achieve that 100-megawatt smile that you've been dreaming of. So, how will you achieve those gleaming pearly whites?

A survey made by American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry asked people what and how they would most like to improve their smile, the result boiled down to one common answer - whiter teeth. ^[1] That is everyone’s goal, right? Now, let’s dive in deeper into one of the hottest teeth whitening topic today – Activated Charcoal.

Black is the new White?

The process of using the charcoal on teeth is pretty simple. The activated charcoal must be in powdered form, mix with little amount of water to create a paste then brush it directly into the teeth. Then after 2-3 minutes of brushing, voila! You now have whiter teeth!

Well, that could be true in theory. However, when you get the facts straight, you’ll be surprised how this acclaimed whitening agent can do more harm than good in your teeth.

According to American Dental Association Dr. Kim Harms, DDS, “there’s no evidence at all that activated charcoal does any good for your teeth.” Activated charcoal is believed to absorb stains because it is a go-to absorbing and flushing agent in cases of poisoning or overdosing during an emergency situation.

There are no evidence-based studies to support the assumption. "Like any abrasive, we’re worried about the effects on the gums and enamel on the teeth. We don’t know about the safety and effectiveness of it”, Dr. Harms added. ^[2]

Since charcoal is a porous and grainy substance, its abrasiveness can contribute to the scraping and wearing of your tooth enamel making it look more yellowish. Until evidence-based studies show that activated charcoal has been proven to whiten your teeth, it is safe to consult your with your dentist.

Charcoal Toothbrush: Do Charcoal Toothbrushes Work?

Photo credits: Valdimir Floyd via Getty Images

A charcoal toothbrush looks exactly like a regular toothbrush but the difference is in the bristles because they have charcoal built into them which functions to trap the bacteria in the bristles instead of pushing them bacteria around.

Some claimed Charcoal Toothbrushes can be beneficial but Dr. Sandeep Jain, the director of Smith & Jain Dental and Implant Practice in Hong Kong has a different opinion. “From what I understand, ‘activated’ is the key word when you’re talking about the effectiveness of these charcoal particles. If you use a toothbrush whose bristles have been infused or blended with charcoal, I’d expect that you would lose that activation after a couple of uses. “ ^[3]

Teeth Bleaching

If you want to whiten your teeth, Energetic Smile can help you achieve those gleaming pearly whites! With proper oral hygiene, and under the care of an experienced dental professional, whiter teeth are safely achievable. Call Energetic Smile today to schedule an evaluation to get to your brightest smile!

References and Sources:

American Dental Association - Mouth Healthy. (2019) Natural Teeth Whitening: Fact vs. Fiction. Retrieved from https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/w/natural-teeth-whitening
Frank C., DDS. ( 2018 Decemebr 4). Does Activated Charcoal Teeth Whitening Work?. Retrieved from https://www.healthline.com/health/activated-charcoal-teeth-whitening#Takeaway
Brooks JK, et al. (2017). Charcoal and charcoal-based identifiers. Retrieved from https://jada.ada.org/article/S0002-8177(17)30412-9/fulltext
Hubbard L. et al. (2018 Aug 4) . Is Charcoal Toothpaste Safe to Use?. Retrieved from https://www.harpersbazaar.com/beauty/health/advice/a3764/charcoal-toothpaste-pros-cons/
Ramachandra, S. et al. ( 2014 July 11). Oral health: Charcoal. Retrieved from brusheshttps://www.nature.com/articles/sj.bdj.2014.557
Authority Dental. (2019). Review Of Charcoal Toothbrush: Pros And Cons & Which One Is The Best? Retrieved from https://www.authoritydental.org/charcoal-toothbrush