Charcoal Toothpaste – Boon or Bane?

Health and beauty trends pop up on the web at an alarming speed, and it is never easy to determine which trends are safe, effective, or work.

This has been particularly true for teeth whitening, which has become a more popular treatment in the last few years – whitening solutions have also been offered on the web.

One of the latest trends on the Internet, in traditional media, and markets is using activated charcoal-based toothpaste to whiten and brighten teeth.

Sometimes, these products are even recommended to ‘de-toxify’ the mouth, gums, and teeth.

At Ria Family Dental, we have something to say about this trend: like most trends, it is not a good, long-lasting solution to discoloured teeth.

Fortunately, Ria Family Dental has safe and long-term answers to unattractive teeth, including teeth-whitening treatments and veneers!

Let’s take a closer look at charcoal-based tooth whitening.

Charcoal in toothpaste?

When many of us think about charcoal, we immediately think about an outside barbeque or art supplies. But there is a slightly different kind of charcoal that goes in food.

That is activated charcoal (created with heat and gas) and has some medicinal value.

For instance, it treats many types of poisoning due to its natural ability to absorb things.

Because activated charcoal has this absorptive quality, many new-age and trendy products have begun to use it, claiming health benefits.

These uses include skin care products, detoxing juices, and toothpaste. Charcoal has been used for toothpaste for centuries, including by the Romans (who also used crushed bones and oyster shells).

This is not due to absorption but to abrasion. And that is the first clue why charcoal toothpaste may not be an excellent idea.

Charcoal toothpaste may temporarily whiten teeth, but primarily, it is busy wearing the enamel off your teeth.

To begin with, scientific and dental research (in such publications as the Journal of the American Dental Association) hasn’t shown any evidence supporting the idea that charcoal has any advantages for whitening teeth.

The research suggests that if charcoal-based toothcare temporarily whitens teeth, it will eventually make them dingier, not whiter, and lead to other dental issues.

Charcoal “whitens” teeth by grinding away their enamel. While this may have a “whitening” effect, it is also very damaging.

As enamel abrades, it reveals the dentin beneath. Unfortunately, dentin is naturally yellow-coloured, so the only effect this has is to (possibly) remove surface stains that could safely be treated by Ria Family Dental while leaving you permanently discoloured.

With the top layer of enamel gone and the softer dentin exposed, your teeth are less protected and can become sensitive to even slight changes in temperature.

Abrasive materials like charcoal will likely do more harm than good, leaving permanent damage behind.

As a final insult, studies have shown that charcoal-based toothpaste is extremely unlikely to contain fluoride, with less than 10% of charcoal-based toothpaste containing it.

This is problematic because fluoride is an excellent tool for protecting your teeth. Fluoride protects against cavities and ‘remineralises’ enamel, making it an even better defence against decay and discolouration.

There is more. Charcoal may interfere with some oral medicines and cause gum damage due to its particulate and abrasive nature.

Finally, many users report using conventional toothpaste after brushing with charcoal toothpaste to remove charcoal residue between their teeth and gums.

What can you do about your discoloured teeth if this charcoal fad is ineffective and probably damaging? Your friends at Ria Family Dental have you covered with our professional tooth whitening and porcelain veneers!

Ria Family Dental answers

If you have discoloured teeth, consider professional teeth whitening.

At Ria Family Dental, we offer in-office teeth and home teeth whitening options so you can choose which is comfortable for you.

We discuss each option with you and help you determine what’s best. Our treatments are quick, safe, and effective, and they can whiten your teeth up to 8 shades!

If you have stains that cannot be whitened out or have stained teeth with additional cosmetic issues, our porcelain veneers may be the thing for you.

They slip over flawed existing teeth and give your smile that attractive Hollywood look!

Join the Ria Dental Family in Yeronga!

At Ria Family Dental, we provide comprehensive care addressing your short and long-term dental care needs.

We provide an honest, judgment-free environment where we practice convenient, comfortable, and conservative care designed to maximise your smile and oral health!

Our Teeth Whitening Promotions

The take-home kit consists of 3 tubes of zoom bleaching gel, upper and lower trays and a tube of tooth mousse for only $250

Call us on 0451 359 356 or use our online booking service here!

We are located at 451 Fairfield Rd in Yeronga.