Charcoal toothpaste whitening

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Dr. Golen completed her residency training at George Washington University Medical Center in 1995, and is an associate professor at Harvard Medical … See Full Bio

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Activated charcoal is a lightweight hydrocarbon substance made up of materials such as coconut shells or wood pulp. True teeth whitening products use peroxide held against the teeth for 10-60 minutes or more to intrinsically whiten teeth.

Charcoal Toothpaste for Bad Breath

Charcoal toothpaste freshens breath by adsorbing to some acidic compounds in the mouth that may cause halitosis.

Always use a soft-bristled toothbrush and gently brush your teeth in a circular motion for 2 minutes (don’t move your toothbrush in a straight line).

  • Other ingredients: Charcoal toothpaste does not always contain natural ingredients. There is anecdotal evidence that it may remove some plaque during toothbrushing, but it’s unlikely to remove more plaque than any other kind of toothpaste.

    Can you use charcoal toothpaste every day?

    You can use most kinds of charcoal toothpaste every day.

    This alone may explain its popularity on TikTok and other visual platforms. A hydroxyapatite or fluoride toothpaste will actively strengthen enamel to prevent the formation of cavities. There are times it seems to really deserve the praise, but what about when it comes to charcoal toothpaste?

    Meet the experts: Tyler Hales, D.D.S., a cosmetic dentist and founder of Hales Aesthetic in Orange County, CA; Johannes Jacobs, D.D.S., founder of Jacobs & Associates Dental in Oakville, Ontario; Nicole Khalife, D.D.S., owner of Lux Smiles NYC

    Advocates say charcoal toothpaste lifts stains and detoxes your mouth, but many dentists aren’t so quick to smile about it.

    However, these charcoal particles won’t detoxify your body or protect your teeth from tooth decay.

    Let’s take a look at the benefits of charcoal toothpaste, known side effects, and how to find the best brand.

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    What is activated charcoal? “But if your goal is a healthy, luminous smile, you’re better off combining professional cleanings, safe whitening treatments, and enamel-protective hygiene practices.

    • It may help remove surface stains, but the long-term use of this product is still unknown due to limited studies.

    However, it does not work in the same way as toothpastes designed to prevent cavities.

    There is no evidence that charcoal toothpaste has a detoxifying effect or will improve overall health. Most charcoal toothpastes are safe to use and contain natural ingredients found in many types of fluoride-free toothpaste. But is it safe?

    A. Charcoal toothpaste has recently become a trendy tooth-whitening choice, joining the ever-swelling ranks of whitening products lining store shelves.

    Specifically, it may wear down enamel, which harms overall dental health in several ways.

    “I’ve had patients—especially those who brush forcefully or use gritty charcoal pastes—present with increased sensitivity or even dull-looking teeth,” Khalife says, stressing that when “enamel wears away, it can’t be regenerated.”

    A 2021 study backs this up.

    But does toothpaste with charcoal work? But it’s the longer-term effects that people need to understand.

    Potential downsides of toothpaste with charcoal

    Those same abrasive properties that might help do away with surface-level stains may cause bigger problems over time.

    No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.

    “He loved the look and feel initially, but began noticing cold sensitivity and some dark residue near a crown. I graduated from the Dugoni School of Dentistry in San Francisco, CA in 1987 and am a member of the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine (AADSM), Academy of General Dentistry (Chicago, IL), American Academy for Oral Systemic Health (AAOSH), and Dental Board of California.

    By Toni Golen, MD, Editor in Chief, Harvard Women's Health Watch; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing; Contributor

    Q.My daughter-in-law is raving about charcoal-infused toothpaste she recently bought, saying it really helps whiten teeth.

    charcoal toothpaste whitening

    In fact, a 2017 review in The Journal of the American Dental Association found that evidence supporting charcoal toothpaste’s whitening or oral-health benefits is limited and inconclusive.

    “Charcoal toothpaste has become a huge fad online—especially on TikTok—with videos showing dramatic whitening results,” says Tyler Hales, D.D.S., a cosmetic dentist and founder of Hales Aesthetic in Orange County, CA.

    “While it might look effective, the truth is more complicated.”

    So is this trendy black paste actually worth adding to your bathroom counter, or should you stick with traditional fluoride formulas?