Does Charcoal Toothpaste Really Work What Research Says

1. Does Charcoal Toothpaste Really Work? What Research Says

2. Any pharmacy aisle or scroll through social media will highlight the upsurge in “natural” oral care products. Charcoal toothpaste is one of the biggest trends and it’s being marketed as a natural way to whiten your teeth and remove stains. The charcoal toothpaste has quickly become an individual’s go-to product to achieve a whiter smile! At KAA Dental, your trusted Dentist in Bargoed we think it is vital not to get carried away by the marketing hype, but to assess thescience behind italso. So, does charcoal toothpaste actually work? Let’s summarise what the research has shown, and what dentists have noticed when it comes to their everyday practice. What the Research Really Says About Charcoal Toothpaste 1. Whitening results are disappointing A lot of people choose charcoal toothpaste to whiten their teeth, yet peer-reviewed research doesn’t show they are more effective than traditional whitening toothpaste. An article published in 2019 in the Journal of the American Dental Association (JADA) reviewed 659 studies and concluded there was no scientific basis that charcoal toothpaste whitens teeth more than ordinary fluoride toothpaste.

3. 2. Abrasiveness could result in long-term damage A significant concern noted in research is that charcoal toothpaste is highly abrasive. The texture of abrasiveness makes the teeth feel polished, smooth, and clean, but abrasive toothpaste will ultimately wear away enamel over time. Enamel does not regenerate: as the outer protective covering gets thinner, underlying yellow dentin becomes visible, ironically making teeth appear dark. 3. Many brands leave fluoride out Fluoride is one of the most significant active ingredients that toothpaste can have because it strengthens enamel and helps protect your teeth from cavities. Many charcoal products omit fluoride either to look “all-natural” or because they are marketed as cosmetic pastes instead of protective pastes (more on that below). This is a huge red flag. Even if charcoal toothpaste does make your teeth look cleaner temporarily, it is significantly increasing your risk of cavities and future dental problems without fluoride.

4. 4. Safety and claims are still unproven The British Dental Journal and other scientific reviews have concluded that most of the claims regarding charcoal toothpaste lack quality supporting evidence. Continuing until larger and well-studied clinical trials occur, dental professionals are cautious. What We Witness with KAA Dental as a Practice where we serve patients across south Wales, including as a dentist in Bargoed and dentist near Aberdare, and we see some similar trends with charcoal toothpaste among our patients. A short term gain but longer term problems. Although some patients see a small increase in brightness after a few uses, when used daily we usually see a rise in sensitivity, with thinning enamel, and at times faster wear on any restoratives. Durability of stains matters. Charcoal toothpaste may remove some surface stains from tea, coffee, or smoking. But it will not touch discoloration of deeper stains, including discolouration related to age. Medication, which darkened the tooth, will not respond to charcoal. In these cases, you would need professional whitening treatment.

5. Thank You For Your Attention