Charcoal Toothpaste for Teeth Whitening: Does It Work and Is It Safe?

Activated charcoal in toothpaste may help remove surface stains on your teeth. Charcoal is mildly abrasive and is also able to absorb surface stains to some degree.

There is no evidence, though, that it has any effect on stains below a tooth's enamel, or that it has a natural whitening effect.

In order to whiten teeth, a product needs to work on stains on the surface, as well as intrinsic stains, which are those below the enamel.

While activated charcoal does have some proven benefits, there isn't enough scientific evidence to include teeth whitening as one of them.

More research is needed on the long-term effects of charcoal toothpaste. A 2017 review warns that dentists should advise their patients to be cautious when using charcoal-based toothpastes due to its unproven claims and safety.

Here's what we do know about charcoal toothpaste so far:

• Charcoal toothpaste is too abrasive for everyday use. Using a material that's too abrasive on your teeth can wear down your enamel. This may make your teeth look more yellow by exposing the dentin, a calcified yellow tissue. It can also make your teeth more sensitive.
• Most charcoal toothpaste brands don't contain fluoride. Fluoride helps keep your tooth enamel strong, which helps to protect your teeth against cavities and decay. There is some evidence linking charcoal toothpaste to increased tooth decay.
• It may cause staining on some teeth. Charcoal particles could accumulate in the cracks and crevices of older teeth.
• Charcoal's effect on dental restorations isn't known. It's not yet known how charcoal affects the materials used to make veneers, bridges, crowns, and white fillings. Particles of charcoal could build up between them, leaving a black or gray outline.

To date, the only known benefits of charcoal toothpaste are:

• It may help remove surface stains on the teeth.
• It may improve bad breath.
• It may help prevent staining when used occasionally after a professional cleaning.

The cons of using charcoal toothpaste include:

• It's abrasive and may wear down tooth enamel and make teeth appear yellow.
• It doesn't remove stains below the enamel.
• Everyday use could cause tooth sensitivity.
• Most brands don't contain fluoride, which helps prevent cavities and tooth decay.
• It could stain older teeth and dental restorations, like veneers, bridges, crowns, and white fillings.
• Its long-term effects and safety are still not known.

You have plenty of safe and effective options if you're looking to whiten your teeth. Many options are over-the-counter (OTC) whitening products endorsed by the American Dental Association (ADA).

Professional whitening products are also available through dentists.

Your options include:

• whitening toothpastes
• whitening strips
• in-office whitening
• dentist supervised at-home whitening

When looking for teeth whitening products, look for ones that have the ADA seal of approval, and ones that contain blue covarine, hydrogen peroxide, and microbeads.

These whitening technologies are the most effective, according to a 2019 study that compared whitening toothpastes and technologies, including activated charcoal.

Shop for whitening toothpastes and whitening strips online.

Although these options may not be as effective as some commercial teeth whitening products, they're more natural and are easy to do. Talk to your dentist first to find out if these options are right for you:

• hydrogen peroxide
• baking soda
• apple cider vinegar

Regular brushing, including brushing after meals and drinking beverages known to stain teeth — like coffee, tea, and red wine — can help you maintain a whiter smile.

Although charcoal toothpaste is getting a lot of attention and press, it's not more effective than other toothpastes and at-home whitening products on the market.

It may help remove surface stains, but the long-term use of this product is still unknown due to limited studies. Speak to your dentist about the best whitening option for you.