Charcoal Toothpaste—Does it Really Work?

The internet has made more information about dentistry available to the average person than ever before. While that can be a great thing, there’s been an equal—if not greater—rise in misinformation surrounding the field as well.

As with anything else, a market emerges to cater to people’s desires. For example, some people have recently started talking about charcoal as a whitening solution, which has spawned charcoal-based toothpastes that claim to brighten smiles.

That said, it’s important to understand what you put in your body fully. Here’s what you should know about the efficacy of tooth whitening as a treatment.

Does Charcoal Actually Whiten Teeth?
Of course, if you search online you’re bound to find testimonials of people who say they’ve been helped by charcoal teeth whitening. And, of course, there are the claims of the companies that make them.

However, there is currently no substantial scientific evidence that charcoal is effective in whitening teeth. There currently aren’t any ADA approved charcoal products used for this purpose.

The Risks of Charcoal Whitening

In fact, according to the ADA, there are risks associated with charcoal procedure. The claims about charcoal whitening teeth come from the fact that it’s a very hard abrasive. It’s so hard, in fact, that it can actually scratch your teeth if you use it too much.

The concern is that if you try to whiten your teeth with charcoal, not only will you not see results, but you’ll also do harm to your teeth in the long run.

Effective Ways to Whiten Your Teeth

If you want teeth whitening, it’s easy to find solutions that are both safe and effective. For one, you could start by cutting out the things in your life that could stain your teeth, like coffee or smoking. You could also pick up a whitening toothpaste, one with an ADA Seal of Acceptance.

Finally, you could talk to your dentist about profession teeth whitening. With just one treatment, you can get a smile up to eight shades whiter than the one that you had before! Whatever path you take, just keep in mind the safety and health of your teeth. 

About Our Practice

At Real Dental, we want to be a dental practice that you can come to for any problem that you might have. Not only do we offer our patients a suite of different services for whatever issue they could have, but we also make the process of getting dental care as easy as possible. We offer evening and Saturday appointments for our patients, and have a team of experts on hand that will save you having to run all over town for specialized dental care.

If you have any questions about daily dental hygiene, we can be reached at our website or by phone at (817) 406-7239.