By now you’ve probably become aware of the charcoal toothpaste craze. Yes, that charcoal, like you would grill with, except ground to a fine porous powder and used as a blackish toothpaste that is odorless, tasteless, and non-toxic. Social media is buzzing lately with videos of people using such toothpaste and supposedly experiencing whiter teeth. Manufacturers claim the charcoal has the ability to gently remove stains, while naturally creating fresh breath. The concept is not new. In fact it was used in ancient times along with tree bark as a method for cleaning teeth.
However, according to the American Dental Association, there is no evidence shows that charcoal toothpaste is safe or effective for teeth. On the contrary, it cautions consumers against using abrasive materials, like charcoal, in an effort to “scrub” teeth clean. These scrubs can actually wear down tooth enamel, which can cause sensitivity and also have a negative effect on tooth color, leading to an increase in the yellowing effect of teeth, as inner layers of the tooth come closer to the surface. Traditional toothpastes contain a gentler abrasive substance to clean away plaque and food debris while preventing undue wear to your teeth’s enamel surface.
Charcoal toothpaste also does not contain fluoride, which is in most toothpastes to help strengthen tooth enamel and prevent tooth decay.
When choosing a toothpaste, we recommend looking for the ADA Seal of Acceptance.
If you’re interested in a more effective safer way of whitening your teeth, Corson Dentistry offers a proven option that uses hydrogen peroxide to remove stains on the outer layers of enamel. This method has proven to be more powerful than whitening toothpaste, with near-immediate results.
For more information on Corson dentistry’s teeth whitening service, contact us today.
First Visit
Voted "America's top Dentist" by Consumer Research Council