Activated Charcoal for Teeth Whitening: What’s the Deal?

People want to look good and few things are more attractive than a lovely smile of white pearly teeth. So more and more people see the value of having nice white teeth. Among several teeth whitening applications and products,  people have increasingly utilised activated charcoal for teeth whitening purposes, be it in toothpaste or toothbrush with charcoal-incorporated bristles.

These oral healthcare products have been featured  as fashionable, high-end and trendy compared to other conventional products. The question now is does activated charcoal really work for teeth whitening?

What is activated charcoal?

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Charcoal, when activated and combined with certain agents, possesses a high absorptive capacity. Thus, the World Health Organisation has listed activated charcoal as one of the treatments for poisoning and overdoses. In recent years, activated charcoal has been one of the biggest trends for many different purposes in the world of wellness and cosmetics including dental. For instance, uses in commercial face masks, scrubs, toothpaste, toothbrushes, lowering cholesterol levels and weight loss.

What do we know so far?

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Historically, charcoal was one of the several materials for cleaning teeth. This is especially evident in rural areas in certain countries where regular toothpaste is  not easily accessible. Activated charcoal in toothpaste whilst mildly abrasive, also absorbs surface stains on the teeth. No scientific studies have shown the use of charcoal toothpaste on intrinsic whitening of the teeth (whitening from the inner layers of teeth).

Therefore, there is lack of evidence to prove the effectiveness of charcoal toothpastes in tooth whitening, oral hygiene and also claims of antibacterial and bad-breath controlling effects.

Is charcoal toothpaste safe to use?

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To date, studies have recommended the public to remain cautious when using charcoal toothpastes due to its unproven claims and safety. Below are several possible risks of oral health products incorporating charcoal:

• Charcoal toothpaste may be too abrasive for daily use
  • The material may wear the tooth enamel, thus exposing the inner layer of tooth causing teeth sensitivity
• Certain charcoal toothpastes do not contain fluoride
  • Fluoride in toothpaste is important to help prevent tooth decay. There has been evidence linking higher risk of tooth decay to charcoal toothpaste
• May result in negative aesthetic effects
  • Particles of charcoal may accumulate or trap in crevices or cracks in teeth or restorations. Therefore, resulting in grey or black discolouration around teeth or restoration margins.

Conclusion

Charcoal-based oral health products may help to remove surface stains, but the effect of long-term use is still unknown. So you must be aware and carefully consider the contents before purchasing the product. There are still other safe and effective options for teeth whitening. Speak to your dentist for the best option available.

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Tags

• activated charcoal
• dental health
• Oral Health
• teeth whitening