A lot of people are after a brighter, more twinkly smile. While there's no shortage of teeth-whitening kits in your standard dental aisle, there's been some buzz about companies selling toothpaste with one whitening-claiming agent in particular: charcoal.
Similar to why people use charcoal face masks, the thinking behind charcoal toothpaste is that its abrasive nature strips away impurities (stains) from the teeth. But it may be a bit too abrasive for the teeth and may even result in the opposite effect of what you're going for, according to Dr. Kami Hoss, a dentist, orthodontist and founder of dental care company SuperMouth.
"Charcoal toothpaste has gained renewed attention for its ability to remove surface stains through adsorption, where activated charcoal binds to substances on the teeth," Hoss explained in an email. "However, its abrasive nature can wear down enamel -- the protective outer layer of teeth -- leading to increased sensitivity and a higher risk of cavities."
Over time, this also exposes the dentin layer of the teeth, which has a natural yellowish hue and can cause teeth to "appear dull," Hoss said.
The teeth are kind of an odd body part(s) if you think about it. They play a crucial role in our health as they help us eat food and are part of the larger jaw system and skeleton, but they're also subject to our cosmetic interests and medically unnecessary treatments (like whitening) because they're what people see when we communicate and express happiness.
Since teeth play such a significant and understated role in your life, they deserve your health concerns as well as your aesthetic ones. Here's what we know about charcoal toothpaste's effect on teeth.
What does charcoal toothpaste do to whiten teeth?
Charcoal toothpaste uses activated charcoal, which is charcoal (the burnt parts you cook with) that has been treated to have a larger surface area and porous structure. The thinking goes that this effectively "scrubs" the teeth clean of surface stains.
Depending on the brand or company making the charcoal toothpaste, the product may contain other main ingredients and different amounts of charcoal.
Is charcoal toothpaste effective?
According to information from a Penn Dental Medicine blog, charcoal toothpaste has the potential to whiten teeth due to its abrasiveness. Still, it may be less effective than other whitening agents that work by bleaching teeth, like hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide.
A 2023 systematic review of existing studies, for example, found that toothpastes based on activated charcoal posses a "lower whitening effect" than alternatives and may pose risks. One 2021 study found that charcoal-based toothpastes weren't significantly different than other types of toothpaste in terms of color change or abrasiveness.
A 2017 review published in the Journal of the American Dental Association found that there's "insufficient" safety and effectiveness data on charcoal-based dentifrices (pastes and powders for teeth cleaning).
Does charcoal toothpaste have risks?
In addition to charcoal's ability to wear down enamel over time, which increases cavity and sensitivity risk, charcoal toothpaste may get into your gums and cause irritation, according to Hoss.
He also warned against regularly using a toothbrush with charcoal bristles.
"Charcoal bristles in toothbrushes can be too abrasive for regular use, increasing the risk of enamel damage and sensitivity," Hoss said. "Given these concerns, I do not recommend using charcoal toothpaste or toothbrushes."
Safest ways to whiten your teeth
If you want whiter teeth but want to be safe about it, you can inquire about whitening procedures (typically gel or bleaching) at your dentist's office; you may be able to do some of it at home.
If you can't spring for in-office treatment or want to keep it simple, you do have options. According to the American Dental Association, most whitening toothpastes on the market "rely on abrasives" to whiten teeth, though the degree to which they're abrasive varies. The ADA also points to the fact that whitening toothpastes, in general, are not as effective as teeth whitening strips.
The ADA gives its "seal of acceptance" on certain products that meet safety and effectiveness standards, so this is a factor to consider when shopping around for a whitening product, whether it be strips or toothpaste. One ADA-accepted home whitening product is Crest 3D Whitestrips Glamorous White strips. One ADA-stamped whitening toothpaste includes Tom's of Maine Simply White toothpaste. When shopping around, you can look for ADA approval and at the ingredients in the paste.
Hoss recommended looking for toothpaste with the ingredient nano-hydroxyapatite, a form of hydroxyapatite. The latter is naturally found in our teeth. (Hoss' company SuperMouth sells products that contain nano-hydroxyapatite.) The restoring effect of hydroxyapatite may assist with whitening by creating a "smoother, more reflective surface," Hoss said. For whitening, he also added that people could use baking soda, which is a mild abrasive.
It's also important to note that whitening toothpaste does not necessarily bleach or whiten teeth; rather, it removes surface stains. So even a nonwhitening, regular toothpaste can help keep teeth white by helping maintain the enamel. To reduce the likelihood of stains forming in the first place, rinse out your mouth with water after drinking or eating something that may stain your teeth over time, such as coffee and wine.