Activated charcoal toothpaste has become a huge trend in wellness and teeth whitening over the past few years. Made popular by a wealth of videos across social media withmodels and vloggers displaying a dark black smile and attesting to the positive, natural results. But, like most things you put on your teeth, it’s always important to first consult your dentist to make sure you’re not creating any long term damage. Here we look into thepros and cons of activated charcoal toothpaste, and things to consider before giving it a go.
Pro’s of activated charcoal toothpaste
Activated charcoal has a great reputation in the medical world as a tool to remove nasty toxins from the body. It is commonly used in water filtration systems to remove any impurities from the water, and also in the treatment of food poisoning. This is why activated charcoal toothpaste is positioned as a teeth whitening tool, as the theory is that it will remove impurities from your teeth, including stains and the build-up of bacteria.
Activated charcoal is made from a range of natural ingredients, which can include coconut shells, bone char, sawdust, olive pits and coal. For this reason, it is a more natural alternative when compared to other teeth whitening options that usually contain chemicals and peroxide.
Cons of activated charcoal toothpaste
One of the major cons associated with activated charcoal toothpaste, is that this form of whitening is too new to be proven. Unfortunately there are no current clinical studies that confirm the benefits of charcoal on your teeth, which leads most dentists to be sceptical.
Charcoal is quite coarse, and if used regularly on your teeth, could cause long term damage and gum recession. The abrasion of brushing with charcoal can lead to erosion of the enamel on your teeth.
What to consider before trying our activated charcoal
If you’ve weighed up the pros and cons and still want to give it a go, the best option is to first visit your dentist. Every person’s teeth are different, and if you already have thin or eroded enamel, using activated charcoal could be damaging in the immediate short term.Your dentists will take a thorough look at your teeth and recommend the best whitening option for you specifically.
One thing we do know for sure, is that activated charcoal should not be used daily. If you decide to give it a go, we’d recommend only using it once per month maximum. When you’re brushing make sure the charcoal has been ground down very finely, and brush very gently to avoid extra abrasion on your teeth.
If you’d like to discuss teeth whitening options, and using activated charcoal toothpaste,book in your next dental appointment at www.myaffordabledentists.com.au
