Charcoal is a multifaceted product that has been gaining a reputation in the beauty and health community. Charcoal is in many beauty products such as face masks, lotions, cosmetics, soaps, and even toothpaste.
“Activated” charcoal consists of fine particles of petroleum coke, olive pits, coconut shells, peat, sawdust, or bone char. It’s produced at very high temperatures which alter its structure, reducing the size and increasing the number of pores in order to expand the surface area of the charcoal (which makes the charcoal act as a magnet to gather all types of impurities).
For centuries, charcoal has had a reputation for the numerous health benefits it offers. Back in the 1800s, activated charcoal was once used as a product to reverse the actions of drug poisoning.
Charcoal offers certain benefits such as promoting kidney function, keeping cholesterol levels in check, and being used as an effective topical treatment for acne. Even though activated charcoal is considered safe in the previously mentioned instances, patients should know that the success of these treatments has been known to vary from person to person.
If you’ve been online lately, you might have found a photo of someone with a dazzling white smile advertising a brand of charcoal toothpaste. Seeing them brushing the black substance on their teeth might seem to be the opposite of cleaning one’s teeth, but once the toothpaste is washed away, their smile appears pearly white. After seeing the results, you may be left wondering if this is real or just the magic of advertising?
The fact is,
charcoal toothpaste has not been proven to be a safe and reliable way to whitening your teeth at home. This substance has been proven to cause more harm to your teeth than other whitening products. Additionally, it hasn’t been appointed the Seal of Acceptance from the ADA. The Journal of the American Dental Association came to the conclusion that there is “insufficient clinical and laboratory data to substantiate the safety and efficacy claims of charcoal and charcoal-based dentifrices.”
So, what are the downfalls of using charcoal-based toothpaste? Rough-in nature, charcoal-based toothpaste wear down the tooth enamel and cause increased tooth sensitivity and a higher chance of cavities. Enamel will not grow back once diminished, so it is vital to avoid using harsh products that can damage it.
For patients opting for in at-home teeth whitening, various other products are effective. Fluoride toothpaste, peroxide-based whitening products like Whitestrips, and in-office whitening treatments work.
Schedule an appointment with Dr. Sachs today for an
in-office whitening session to enhance those pearly whites!