Charcoal in Toothpaste – Is it good or bad?

There were times when you heard the word charcoal, you thought of the old charcoal stoves on which your grandmothers used to cook food. But now, charcoal is present in everything from a face mask to a toothpaste.

If you want to know whether charcoal in toothpaste is a smart idea or it’s just another trend that will pass away with time then do read on.

What is Activated Charcoal and How it Works?

Before we move ahead with the details, you should know that charcoal in toothpaste is usually activated charcoal. It is a form of carbon which has been treated. After the treatment, the surface of the particles becomes porous. This surface helps the activated charcoal to attract unwelcome substances like bacteria, viruses, stains, tartar, etc.) in the mouth. These substances wash away with charcoal when you rinse your mouth.

The Good

• Using charcoal in toothpaste is a smart idea because it clings to and helps in washing away all the unwelcome substances we mentioned before.
• It also helps in attaining whiter teeth by helping in removing stains from foods like coffee, alcohol or even smoking.
• It can also detoxify your mouth by removing plaque and food particles that can harm your oral health.

The Bad

• Like everything else on the planet, people want to know the side effects of using charcoal in toothpaste. Well, there are a few,and you can find them here.
• Charcoal is more abrasive than many other toothpaste ingredients so there are genuine concerns whether it would damage enamel (a protective layer in your mouth).
• It is also a concern that charcoal can absorb all things, even medications and hence the people using it might not get the benefits of some medications they are dependent on.
• Many charcoal toothpastes have baking soda that can lead to or increase existing tooth sensitivity.

A simple solution for everyone who wants to know about charcoal in toothpaste would be to use charcoal-based toothpaste in smaller quantities and not expect too much from it. You can use it to remove surface stains,but it can’t be as effective as teeth whitening treatments done at a dentists’ office.

You should also know that if you rinse your mouth with charcoal-based toothpaste and not swallow it, it won’t get into your digestive tract and hence, won’t absorb any vital medications.

If you use charcoal-based toothpastes in limited quantities and under the supervision of a dentist, you will be able to avoid getting the enamel damaged or be a victim of tooth sensitivity. In case you don’t want to buy a charcoal-based toothpaste right away, you can try a toothbrush with charcoal-infused bristles every other day. They are a safer option and usually give the same results.