Trends come and go in the dental world, and there seems to always be a flashy new product promising miraculous results. The latest so-called ‘miracle’ product is charcoal toothpaste and powders that promise to whiten teeth, remove stains, and pull toxins out of your body.
Many of my clients have been asking me is charcoal toothpaste safe, and whether they should consider using charcoal toothpaste products, and I would tell my clients to avoid them for these five important reasons.
1. Charcoal toothpaste wears down enamel
Charcoal toothpaste promises to whiten your teeth, and while it may have a limited effect, it achieves this through a mechanical process rather than via a chemical reaction. That means charcoal toothpaste uses abrasion to scrub away superficial stains on your teeth.
However, that abrasion also wears down the enamel on your teeth, which can cause increased sensitivity. And once that enamel is gone, it’s not coming back.
You get the impression that your teeth are whiter because the charcoal toothpaste has essentially scrapped off a layer of enamel.
2. Charcoal toothpaste is bad for your gums
That same abrasive action can also be bad for your gums. Frequent use of charcoal toothpaste can wear down your gums, which can lead to a huge range of dental problems. If it gets bad enough, you could even require a gum graft to replace the tissue that has been worn away.
Gum health is an often overlooked aspect of good dental hygiene, so anything that harms your gums should be strictly avoided.
3. Charcoal toothpaste can irritate your mouth
Your mouth is full of delicate tissue and some people may have a negative reaction to the activated charcoal present in charcoal toothpaste and powders.
It’s best to avoid introducing unfamiliar and unnecessary substances, especially if you have any ulcers, cuts or abrasions in your mouth that could become irritated.
4. Charcoal toothpaste can harm your dental work
While charcoal toothpaste aims to whiten your teeth, it can actually have the opposite effect on crowns, bridges and veneers. The activated charcoal present in pastes and powders can discolour these materials and reverse all the work you’ve had done.
That’s a huge waste of the time you’ve spent in the chair, and the money you’ve spent on your smile.
5. Charcoal toothpaste hasn’t been studied
There are currently no long-term scientific studies available on the effects of charcoal toothpaste. As a dentist, I would only ever recommend products that have been thoroughly tested in a clinical environment. While many medications do have side effects, it’s important that patients are fully aware of all possible side effects so they can weigh any potential risks against the rewards. Charcoal toothpaste is largely an unknown and is, therefore, a product I cannot recommend.
All things considered, there are many more effective ways to whiten your teeth than by using charcoal toothpaste. Your dentist can offer in-chair teeth whitening or at-home treatments that are safer and will get better, more consistent results than charcoal toothpaste.
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Results, potential risks, complications, and recovery times can differ for each individual and each procedure. Any dental procedure carries risks and benefits. Refer to thedentalroom.com.au/risks for more information on risks and potential complications.
Before starting any treatment, we recommend seeking independent advice from an AHPRA-registered health practitioner and considering a second opinion. This content is intended for adults, is general in nature, and should not be regarded as medical advice. Individual results cannot be guaranteed.
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About Dr Shawn Rama
Dr Shawn Rama is the Principal Dentist and Founder of The Dental Room, with more than 20 years of experience in general and aesthetic dentistry. He graduated from the University of Melbourne in 2003 and has undertaken further training in aesthetic dentistry, complex restorative dentistry and dental implants. Dr Shawn is also an accredited Invisalign® Platinum Provider and a member of the Australian Dental Association. He founded The Dental Room in Balwyn North in 2016, creating a boutique practice centred around personalised, considered dental care.
