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Is Charcoal Toothpaste Bad for Your Teeth?

Love Yourself, Love Your Smile

Woman wondering “Is charcoal toothpaste bad for your teeth?
  • Dr. Monica Madan
  • July 5, 2023

Activated charcoal—also called activated carbon—is a highly porous material that gained enormous popularity in recent years as a multi-purpose health supplement.

Although the term “activated charcoal” might conjure mental pictures of BBQ briquets, this ingredient is actually quite different from conventional charcoal. Conventional charcoal is a burned, wood-based material that has long been used as a heat source and cooking fuel. 

Activated charcoal, on the other hand, is a fine-grained carbon powder that has been heated and oxygenated to increase pore size. This oxygenation process is called “activation” and it lends its name to activated charcoal. 

The adsorbent properties of activated charcoal (it picks up other substances like a magnet)  make it a useful ingredient in many medical, cosmetic, and environmental products. For example, activated charcoal is commonly used in:

  • Poison control treatments
  • Overdose-reversing drugs
  • Skincare products
  • Water and air purifiers

Beyond these goods, activated charcoal’s rising profile on social media and in trendy publications as an earthy, all-in-one, “natural” solution has influenced manufacturers to add it to many other products—including toothpaste.

If you’ve seen charcoal toothpaste products in your local stores, you may have some questions about it, including:  

  • Why are companies adding charcoal to toothpaste?
  • How is activated charcoal supposed to improve your smile?
  • Is charcoal toothpaste bad for your teeth?

Since 2008, Beverly Hills Orthodontics® has been providing top-notch orthodontic care and oral beauty services across Los Angeles. In this blog, the BHO team answers the most common concerns about charcoal toothpaste and explains how it may affect your smile. 

Why Is There Activated Charcoal in My Toothpaste?

 

Activated charcoal is a highly porous material that excels at absorbing numerous substances, including (potentially) toxins present in the human body. For this reason, activated charcoal has long been used in life-saving medications and pharmaceuticals that rid the body of harmful chemicals and compounds. 

Dermatologists and other skincare professionals also leverage activated charcoal’s adsorbent properties by adding it to exfoliating creams, oil-controlling lotions, and acne treatments. Activated charcoal is accredited with removing undesired substances from your pores, creating clearer, cleaner, and healthier skin as a result. 

Depending on product specifics, activated charcoal may be able to remove the following substances from your skin:

  • Dirt
  • Debris
  • Oil
  • Dead skin particles

 

Similar to the way activated charcoal is credited with improving the absorbent properties of skin care products, toothpaste manufacturers aim to boost the bacteria- and stain-removing properties of their goods by adding activated charcoal. 

It sounds good in theory, but how well does it work in practice? Let’s take a look. 

Is Charcoal Toothpaste Bad for Your Teeth?

Charcoal toothpaste manufacturers commonly claim that activated charcoal aids in surface stain removal. However, there is not enough evidence to fully support these claims, and there are ample studies that show how charcoal wears down enamel, which can contribute to a more yellowed appearance in teeth.

In addition to being absorbent, activated charcoal is also a very abrasive substance. Toothpaste advertisers frequently suggest that these abrasive qualities help their products remove stains more effectively. While this may be true in select cases, charcoal’s abrasive properties also wear down tooth enamel—the whitest and outermost layer of your teeth. 

Beneath enamel lies a layer of dentin, a yellowish substance that protects the pulp, the tooth’s innermost layer. Dentin gives your teeth structural support and transmits sensations like pain, pressure, and temperature. As your enamel thins and reveals more dentin, you may experience a range of negative effects, including:

  • Greater sensitivity to heat, cold, applied pressure, and sugary foods/beverages
  • Pervasive discoloration
  • Weaker tooth structure
  • Increased risk of dental decay

While charcoal toothpaste will not cause such effects immediately, many studies suggest that they are the likely consequences of frequent or repeated charcoal toothpaste use. See the chart below for links to relevant peer-reviewed studies and surveys that make these claims:

“Is Charcoal Toothpaste Bad for Your Teeth?”
Relevant Studies and Surveys
Publisher     Study Title Key Takeaways
Anatomischer Anzeiger (2023) “Effectiveness and Abrasiveness of Activated Charcoal as a Whitening Agent: A Systematic Review of in Vitro Studies” “Toothpastes based on activated charcoal possess a lower whitening effect than other alternatives and can be considered as less safe due to its high abrasive potential.”
National Institutes of Health (NIH) (2021) “Effects of Charcoal-Based Whitening Toothpastes on Human Enamel in Terms of Color, Surface Roughness, and Microhardness: An in Vitro Study” “Charcoal-based whitening toothpastes do not promise to whiten the human permanent teeth and their effects on enamel abrasion should not be disregarded.”
American Dental Association (2017) “Charcoal and Charcoal-Based Dentifrices: A Literature Review” “This literature review showed insufficient clinical and laboratory data to substantiate the safety and efficacy claims of charcoal and charcoal-based dentifrices. Larger-scale and well-designed studies are needed [for] conclusive evidence.”

Unhappy With the Color of Your Smile? BHO Has Better Whitening Solutions

Very limited published research supports the claim that charcoal toothpaste can whiten teeth. Meanwhile, there are numerous studies that warn of the potential for enamel damage from charcoal toothpaste use. As dental professionals, we do not believe the potential benefits of charcoal toothpaste are worth the risks.

If you are looking for ways to improve the color of your teeth, there are better options available than charcoal toothpaste. For a drug store solution, generic whitening toothpaste can reduce stain appearance by a shade or two after 1-4 weeks of use, without damaging your tooth enamel. However, if you want to significantly improve the look of your teeth in a timely manner, professional treatment is a better route. 

Beverly Hills Orthodontics offers numerous teeth whitening treatments that deliver dramatic results. In-office bleaching is our most convenient and powerful solution. Completed in just one appointment, in-office bleaching can whiten your teeth by 5-10 shades in a matter of hours. 

If your schedule doesn’t allow for an in-office appointment, we also provide take-home whitening kits so you can brighten your smile on your own time. These kits come with custom-made trays and powerful whitening gels that you use yourself. 

The table below helps illustrate the comparison of different whitening options: 

In-Office Bleaching Take-Home Whitening Kit Whitening Toothpaste
Treatments 1 appointment ~14 uses
(assumes 1x/day application)
14-56 uses
(assumes 2x/day brushing)
Results 5-10 shades 1-8 shades 1-2 shades
Time to Results 1-2 hours ~2 weeks 1-4 weeks

 

Let Beverly Hills Orthodontics Brighten Your Smile

Activated charcoal has many proven health benefits, but none of them relate to oral care. Although there is limited evidence that supports charcoal toothpaste’s whitening properties, many studies have shown that charcoal toothpaste use can damage tooth enamel. 

Professional in-office teeth bleaching and take-home whitening kits are much safer and more effective for brightening teeth. At Beverly Hills Orthodontics, we provide these teeth whitening services from our four offices across Los Angeles. Locations include:

  • Beverly Hills
  • Studio City
  • Alhambra
  • Downtown LA

Call us today to arrange a whitening appointment. If you are not in the Los Angeles area but still want to brighten your smile, you may be interested in our branded whitening pens and Invisalign aligner-cleaning foam. 

Is charcoal toothpaste bad for your teeth? Not necessarily, but it might damage your enamel. For safer, more effective whitening solutions, contact Beverly Hills Orthodontics to schedule a professional teeth bleaching consultation. Call or text us at 310-785-0770 or visit our contact page to book an appointment.

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l i z z i e
No one has scheduled my appointment better than Anthony and Dr. Madden is the best doctor!!
Response from the owner:Thank you for your wonderful recommendation, Lizzie! We're thrilled to be considered the best in the area. Your support means a lot to us!
Alessandra M.
Dr Monica and her staff are just the absolute best. Office is beautiful and clean. Staff is great and kind and have never had any issues whatsoever. The work that she and her staff members do is just 10/10. They are also so welcoming and genuinely kind. Dr Monica and even members of her staff like Anthony will have genuine conversations with you and make you feel the most comfortable. Even during a treatment that many (including myself) are not fond of. (Anything dental related can be scary but they truly put you at peace.) I’m so happy that I made the decision to proceed with treatment here. All questions are always answered. Concerns dealt with. And treatment is impeccable. The results I already have solidify why I’m so happy with my decision to get work done here.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your wonderful review, Alessandra. We're thrilled to hear you had such a positive experience. Our team is dedicated to making every visit comfortable and welcoming. Your satisfaction is our priority!
nathalie K.
Very friendly staff & very accommoding. They are very understanding. Everyone here is super welcoming and very nice! Can't wait to see my next appointment.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your glowing review, Nathalie! We’re thrilled to hear that you found our team friendly and accommodating. We look forward to welcoming you back at your next appointment!
T W.
I highly recommend Dr Madan at BHO for all of your orthodontic needs. Between her warm personality, knowledge and skill you will have to look no further.
This office constantly has amazing offers and specials that make their treatment pricing EXTREMELY competitive. Trust me, as I’ve gotten consults from just about every provider in town. I am seeing unbelievable results with my Invisalign treatment only a few weeks in. Dr Madan was the obvious choice, as she made this process as minimally invasive as possible. I have been to multiple of her offices and they all are pristine. I would recommend to anyone in the LA area looking for the best provider for their orthodontist!
Response from the owner:Thank you for your glowing review! We're delighted you're experiencing exceptional results with your Invisalign treatment. Dr. Madan strives to create a comfortable and effective orthodontic experience for every patient.
Eva P.
So far I am having an amazing experience with Dr Madan and BHO. I’ve consulted with many Orthos over the years for Invisalign. Almost all said I would have to extract a tooth to solve over crowding issue on bottom teeth. Within literally 5 weeks of Invisalign, my bottom teeth are almost completely straightened out already. I cannot believe how fast this treatment is working. Not to mention, I had tradition braces in the past and my teeth fully reverted to their original form. It took over 4 years to correct my crowding with braces the first time, back in the day.

How incredible Dr Madan and her staff is , along with her immaculate offices deserves its own second review. 10/10 experience so far highly recommend them!
Response from the owner:Thank you, Eva! We're thrilled to hear about your positive experience with Dr. Madan and our team. It’s rewarding to see your progress with Invisalign. Your recommendation means a lot to us!
Anahit M.
I’ve had a good experience here. I have been coming here for about two years and I’ve seen great progress.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your wonderful feedback, Anahit! We're thrilled to hear about your positive experience and the progress you've made over the past two years. Your support means a lot to us!
valeria
Overall the best experience, definitely helped me get my self confidence back with my smile!!🥰
Response from the owner:We truly appreciate your feedback, Val! It’s fantastic to know that we positively impacted your self-confidence and smile. Thank you for choosing us and sharing your experience! We’re here for you anytime you need us.
Bardia A.
Monica and her team are so nice and professional. The experience has always been welcoming and the office was always clean and I felt totally comfortable coming in during the pandemic. They took every precaution and were so great to work with.
Response from the owner:We appreciate you taking the time to leave us feedback on your experience. We work very hard every day to exceed our patients’ expectations!
Justin H.
We have loved working with the team at Beverly Hills Orthodontics. We had 2 kids go through the Invisalign plan and they were always so nice and helpful in explaining everything. What a difference the program made!
Response from the owner:Thank you so much for the positive feedback. We are honored to serve each and every one of our patients!
Jade L.
Lose this dentist, the doctors are really nice and always answer my questions regarding my teeth.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words about us and our staff!
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