Ask a Dentist

Q: Can activated charcoal whiten my teeth?

A bamboo toothbrush sits beside a jar of activated charcoal toothpaste.

Brushing your teeth with activated charcoal is one of the latest trends in beauty, but why? Many people believe it can dramatically whiten your teeth.

While dental hygiene products are constantly being improved, brushing your teeth with activated charcoal seems to be more of a trend rather than a teeth whitening miracle. (We enjoyed this article from Bustle about a woman who brushed her teeth with activated charcoal for one week and did not see the instant results many YouTubers claimed to experience).

Activated charcoal is successful at removing surface stains; however, it does not change the colour of teeth that are deeply stained or naturally yellowing. For this, more effective whitening measures need to be taken such as professional bleaching.

One concern we have with replacing traditional toothpaste with activated charcoal is that you remove fluoride from your routine. Fluoride is important because it strengthens your enamel and protects your teeth from plaque that causes cavities, gum disease and other issues.

If you are interested in other options to whiten your teeth, ask us about Philips Zoom! Whitening. Our St. Vital and Garden City locations both offer the service that is proven to whiten your teeth by up to eight shades in one 60-90 minute session. We can also offer you advice on recommended at-home whitening systems.

Give us a call or book your next appointment at our St. Vital or Garden City dental clinics today to learn more about Philips Zoom! Whitening.

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