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advice: the risks of charcoal toothpaste

the main use of activated charcoal is treatment for poisoning. is that something you want in your mouth?

by karen hawthorne
published oct 21, 2022
read time 3 minute read
join the conversation
read time 3 minute read
join the conversation
you may want to stick with regular toothpaste
it may be the trend in oral care, but using charcoal toothpaste can hurt your teeth. getty
dear asking for a friend, after giving in to all the hype about the whitening benefits of charcoal toothpaste, i tried it and not only did i not notice any improvements in the colour of my teeth, it also made my tongue burn. now i am wondering if regular toothpaste is a safer choice.
signed,
looking for white teeth in all the wrong places
dear looking for white teeth in all the wrong places,
it’s tempting to think that tapping into ancient wisdom of the egyptians and their medicinal compounds could benefit health products you use today. one trendy ingredient is activated charcoal, first used for purifying water and treating intestinal illnesses, but now found in skin cleansers, acne cream, shampoo and toothpaste.
a form of carbon made from coal, wood, or other substances, it becomes “activated” when it’s processed at high temperatures to make it more porous, resulting in a fine black powder. the powder acts like a magnet, attracting oil and dirt in skin products and bacteria, stains and plaque in oral care products.
but despite its seemingly multi-use capabilities, the main purpose of activated charcoal is the emergency treatment of certain types of poisoning.

activated charcoal is also poison control

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according to the mayo clinic, activated charcoal helps prevent poison from being absorbed from your stomach into your body. it’s available for the treatment of poisoning without a doctor’s prescription, but not recommended for use without advice from a doctor, poison control centre or hospital.
as for activated charcoal toothpaste, does it deliver on its claims of teeth whitening by removing stains and particles from your teeth?
when researchers in the department of restorative dentistry at the university of campinas in brazil evaluated the effects of brushing with activated charcoal powder combined with toothpaste on tooth enamel colour and surface, they found it was ineffective in terms of colour change and may alter the enamel surface.
“since activated charcoal is abrasive, it’s already rougher on your mouth than traditional toothpaste,” dr. melissa dent, a dentist at north bay family dentistry in north bay, ontario, explains. “some of us have the urge to scrub really hard with the toothbrush for a cleaner, whiter smile, however, this isn’t good for your teeth and gums since it wears down your enamel quicker and scrapes your soft gums. using an overly abrasive toothpaste can increase sensitivity.”
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she adds that experiencing a tongue burning sensation is entirely possible. in fact, there’s no scientific proof that activated charcoal in toothpaste has any special benefits or that it’s safe for your teeth.
“when it comes to staining, you have to be realistic,” says dent, whose clinic offers custom mouth trays that are used with a whitening solution for home treatments. “if you have dark or heavily stained teeth, any kind of toothpaste won’t do much, if anything, which is why you should check with your dentist if you want to brighten your smile because they’ll tell you what’s possible for your teeth and also recommend safer and effective treatments.”
there are other risks associated with charcoal toothpaste beyond abrasiveness that can wear down enamel and cause mouth sensitivity. charcoal particles can also get caught in dental work and under the gum line which can cause inflammation, and possibly lead to bleeding and gum disease.
dent is a proponent for fluoride in toothpaste, essential to help prevent cavities, and recommended by the ontario dental association. when plaque forms on your teeth and starts to eat away at your enamel, fluoride helps to replace minerals in the enamel that have eroded.
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“daily brushing with a fluoride toothpaste and flossing every day is the best thing you can do to keep your teeth healthy and looking good,” she says, adding that to make sure you’re not scrubbing too hard when brushing, lift your pinky finger up while you do it, which will reduce pressure.
“regular dental checkups are also important so your dentist can spot any problems before they become painful or expensive to treat,” says dent. “again, they can also tell you what’s realistic for your teeth as far as how white they can look since enamel thickness, skin tone and other factors play a role.”
is there something about health that you (or a friend, wink, wink) have always wondered about but are too embarrassed to ask? send a note to info@healthing.ca. we promise your ‘friend’s’ secret — and identity — is safe with us.
karen hawthorne is a toronto-based writer.
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karen hawthorne
karen hawthorne

karen hawthorne worked for six years as a digital editor for the national post, contributing articles on health, business, culture and travel for affiliated newspapers across canada. she now writes from her home office in toronto and takes breaks to bounce with her son on the backyard trampoline and walk bingo, her bull terrier.

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