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Charcoal Toothpaste

Jul 16 • 1 minute read

Most everyone is looking for a whiter, brighter smile.  There are many methods available—DIY, over-the-counter whitening strips, whitening toothpaste, and prescription whitening.  In general, some methods work better than others and results vary between individuals. 

In this blog, I wanted to touch upon charcoal toothpastes.  Charcoal has been added to many toothpastes with therapeutic claims to whiten teeth and reduce cavities.  Charcoal itself has renewed consumer interest because of its natural appeal as well as its broad uses in medicine for binding toxins.  However, studies reporting on brushing teeth with raw charcoal has not supported these claims in and in fact, have shown to have negative impact on enamel.  Charcoal may be too harsh, which may cause the enamel to thin out and the dentin, the yellow layer underneath enamel, to show through.  This might make your tooth look more yellow and make it more prone to decay.

There are really not enough studies to substantiate the safety and efficacy claims of charcoal and charcoal-based toothpastes.  The bottom line to keeping your teeth white: use whitening toothpaste with the American Dental Association (ADA) seal of approval.  Brush your teeth twice a day with a soft toothbrush, floss daily, abstain from smoking and any kind of tobacco use and keep up regular dental visits.  If you’re looking for an extra whitening boost, try Crest White Strips, available at any local drug store. 

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