Every few years, it seems as though toothpastes containing charcoal, the carbon-based leftovers from burnt organic material like wood, make their rounds on social media. These toothpastes are purported to offer a host of benefits, from improving bad breath to whitening teeth. But does dental science back up these claims, or does charcoal toothpaste do more harm than good?

Let’s get the quick answer out of the way first: There are no known benefits to using charcoal toothpaste.  

In fact, using these products long-term can actually cause damage to your teeth, thanks to its highly abrasive nature. While it may be true that charcoal has the potential to help remove some surface stains from your teeth (though even that claim may be bogus, based on early research), it can also cause damage to your teeth’s protective enamel if used regularly.  

In addition to making teeth more susceptible to decay and cavities, this enamel erosion can reveal brown or yellow spotting as the tooth’s softer inner dentin is exposed. Particles from the charcoal can also get caught in the tiny grooves and micro-abrasions on the surface of your teeth, clinging to them and turning teeth an unsightly greyish colour.  

Beyond its abrasive qualities, charcoal toothpastes also frequently contain little to no fluoride, a naturally occurring mineral added to most toothpastes that serves to strengthen your enamel, in turn protecting against tooth decay and cavities.

As of now, neither the Canadian Dental Association nor the American Dental Association recommend the use of charcoal toothpaste, as its safety and efficacy are still hotly contested by most dental professionals. But even though charcoal toothpaste isn’t the magic stain-removing bullet some sellers make it out to be, there are still options to whiten your teeth while keeping them healthy and strong – all you need to do is book an appointment with us using the orange “Book Online” button to discuss either the in-office whitening treatments we offer, like Zoom! Whitening, or a number of convenient and safe at-home options.

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