Charcoal Teeth Whitening

As brushing with charcoal is a relatively new fad, very little research has been done on its efficacy as a whitening agent.  Some small-scale studies have been performed, with mixed results.  Some indicate that charcoal-based toothpaste has no negative impacts on oral health or even reduces the risk of cavities, while others suggest that charcoal in toothpaste causes enamel wear and increased risk of cavities.  Few so far have reported any whitening effects from charcoal toothpaste.³  The recent conclusion from a group of dental researchers is that charcoal can help with surface stains initially, but there are no long-term whitening benefits.⁴  In fact, regular use of charcoal may actually stain the teeth itself.^4,5

A major concern that dentists have about charcoal is its abrasive nature.  Though good for scraping plaque and superficial stains from the surfaces of teeth, gritty substances like charcoal can actually wear away enamel when used for prolonged periods.  Not only does this reduce your teeth’s protection from decay, it can also allow the charcoal itself to get embedded in the softer inner dentin.  If you routinely brush with charcoal for a few months or longer, you can end up with gray or yellowish teeth.^4,5 

Some toothpastes that are made with a finer charcoal powder may be less harsh on your enamel.  A piece of advice from dentists is to check the Relative Dentin Abrasively rating of a brand of toothpaste.  A score of 250 or less is considered safe for your teeth.⁶

If you do decide to try brushing your teeth with charcoal, do so carefully.  Once you have finished brushing, rinse your mouth out thoroughly with clean water.  Leaving charcoal in your mouth can turn your tongue gray or black.  Also, be careful to swallow as little as possible.  Charcoal is used to absorb toxins, but it also absorbs nutrients just as well.  Ingesting charcoal can reduce the amount of nutrition you can digest from your food.  It can also cause gastrointestinal upset, such as constipation, nausea, and diarrhea.⁷  Don’t use charcoal in lieu of fluoride toothpaste either: fluoride is essential for keeping your enamel strong and preventing cavities.