Charcoal is currently one of the biggest trends in the world of wellness and cosmetics. It Is become a trendy ingredient in commercial face masks and scrubs, and some people also swear by it for whitening their teeth.
There are many charcoal toothpaste products available online and in most drugstores today. It Is highly absorbent and used medically to absorb and remove toxins. But does it really work for teeth whitening?
There is no evidence, though, that it has any effect on stains below a tooths enamel, or that it has a natural whitening effect.
In order to whiten teeth, a product needs to work on stains on the surface, as well as intrinsic stains, which are those below the enamel.
While activated charcoal does have some proven benefits, there is not enough scientific evidence to include teeth whitening as one of them.
Charcoal toothpaste is too abrasive for everyday use. Using a material that is too abrasive on your teeth can wear down your enamel. This may make your teeth look more yellow by exposing the dentin, a calcified yellow tissue. It can also make your teeth more sensitive.
Most charcoal toothpaste brands do not contain fluoride. Fluoride helps keep your tooth enamel strong, which helps to protect your teeth against cavities and decay. There is some evidence linking charcoal toothpaste to increased tooth decay.
It may cause staining on some teeth. Charcoal particles could accumulate in the cracks and crevices of older teeth.
Charcoals effect on dental restorations is not known. It is not yet known how charcoal affects the materials used to make veneers, bridges, crowns, and white fillings. Particles of charcoal could build up between them, leaving a black or gray outline.