Does Charcoal Toothpaste Work? An Expert Explains

Charcoal Toothpaste Can “Detox” Your Mouth—But Is It Safe?
The oral microbiome may not get as much attention as the skin’s or the gut’s, but it’s equally important to your overall health. As biologic dentist Gerry Curatola says, “Your mouth mirrors what is happening in your body.” And since charcoal has become as buzzy in the toothpaste world as probiotics have for gut health, we sought to answer once and for all: does charcoal toothpaste actually work?
Like the type of charcoal you’ll see in face masks, the activated ingredient is known for its absorbent, detoxifying nature. Many also swear by charcoal’s whitening powers, though its slightly abrasive texture may not be as good for your teeth in the long run—not to mention the state of a porcelain sink.
To get our many questions about the inky teeth trend, we tapped board-certified nurse practitioner and functional medicine expert Taylor Dukes.
Taylor Dukes is a functional medicine provider and board-certified family nurse practitioner whose passion is helping client feel, look and perform their best.
How does charcoal toothpaste promote oral health?
Charcoal toothpaste is made with activated charcoal. Activated charcoal is a form of carbon that’s been heated and processed. This heating process creates “pores” in the carbon. These pores are medically beneficial for absorbing toxins and other harmful substances from the body.
In the case of the oral cavity, charcoal-based toothpastes are effective for detoxifying the mouth and tissues as well as pulling surface stains out of the pores of the teeth.
Is it beneficial to use charcoal toothpaste every day?
You may have heard that it’s not good to brush with charcoal toothpaste daily. Is that true? Well, it depends…
If you’re using a high-quality charcoal toothpaste, you shouldn’t have to worry about contraindications of daily use. If you do find, however, that your gums become more sensitive or irritated, you can alternate your brushing between a high-quality charcoal toothpaste and a high-quality remineralizing toothpaste.
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Image by Michelle Nash
How long does it take for charcoal toothpaste to whiten teeth?
While some people will begin to see the whitening effects of charcoal toothpaste in as little as a week, most people begin to see whitening results from charcoal toothpaste within two to three weeks of use.
What are the cons of charcoal toothpaste?
Just like most products on the market, charcoal toothpaste varies vastly in its quality from brand to brand. In particular, charcoal can differ in grade, particle size, and source depending on which brand of charcoal toothpaste you use.
Inferior quality charcoal toothpaste may feel gritty or scratchy. Daily use of one of these lesser-quality charcoal toothpastes can be damaging to the teeth because of how highly abrasive they are. Over time, the abrasiveness may wear down tooth enamel.
For that reason, you’ll want to be sure the charcoal toothpaste you’re purchasing has had third party studies done to verify the safety of daily use of the toothpaste and/or holds USP certifications, making it pure and safe for everyday use.
On another note, charcoal is extremely dark and can easily stain whatever it contacts! You’ll need to rinse out your sink well after brushing with charcoal, and you’ll want to have care that you don’t spill, drip, or splash on clothing—or anything else!
Davids Natural Whitening Charcoal Toothpaste
Dukes’ pick for a high-quality, non-toxic charcoal paste.
$9.95
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Image by Michelle Nash
What is the best way to whiten teeth?
First, prevention is the best medicine. When talking about the oral microbiome, I cannot help but point out the benefits of eating a real, whole foods diet. Cutting out sugars and processed foods is perhaps the most impactful step you could possibly take for the health of your teeth and entire mouth.
Next, if you’re a coffee or tea drinker, it’s a good idea to brush immediately following your warm sip. Not only will it clear your oral cavity of the acidic residue left from the beverages, but it’ll keep stains from absorbing and setting in your teeth.
And yes, I do love brushing with a charcoal toothpaste for the purpose of whitening your teeth. But you want to be sure and go with a high-quality, non-toxic charcoal paste such as Davids.
Finally, if you’re looking for a real whitening boost, I recommend non-toxic products such as Lumineux teeth whitening strips versus the conventional ones on the market, which contain toxic chemicals.
Lumineux Teeth Whitening Strips
$44.99
As you can see, the quality and type of toothpaste you purchase are extremely important for your oral health. And your oral health is extremely important for your overall health. So get brushing!
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