Does Charcoal Toothpaste Work?

Charcoal toothpaste (also called "black toothpaste") is a popular trend marketed as a healthy way to keep teeth clean and white. The toothpaste is made from activated charcoal, which is made by heating charcoal with gas. The heating process opens up the pores of the charcoal, which allows it to trap chemicals.

Proponents of charcoal toothpaste claim that it acts as a magnet, pulling tartar, bacteria, and stains from your teeth. In fact, in the developed world, activated charcoal is the most commonly used poison control treatment. That's because activated charcoal binds to toxins in the gastrointestinal tract, preventing their absorption.

But, does activated charcoal toothpaste work, and is it safe for everyday use? This article explains charcoal toothpaste benefits, risks, and other natural teeth-whiting remedies to consider.

Activated Charcoal

Activated charcoal is the main ingredient in black toothpaste. In addition, charcoal toothpastes contain other ingredients. These often include things to stabilize, flavor, and sweeten the toothpaste. For example, Crest’s charcoal toothpaste has:

• Water
• Sorbitol
• Hydrated silica
• Disodium pyrophosphate
• Sodium lauryl sulfate
• Flavor
• Cellulose gum
• Sodium hydroxide
• Sodium saccharin
• Carbomer
• Charcoal powder
• Sucralose
• Polysorbate 80
• Mica
• Titanium dioxide

Is Charcoal Toothpaste Safe?

Research on the safety of charcoal toothpaste is limited and inconclusive. Therefore, more studies are needed to determine the safety of charcoal toothpaste.

However, some safety concerns exist. For example, charcoal may accumulate in cracks and gaps between teeth and stain around dental work. In addition, excessive brushing to remove black charcoal from your teeth may lead to teeth abrasion. Finally, some toothpastes may not contain fluoride, an essential ingredient in preventing tooth decay. Therefore, solely relying on charcoal toothpaste could lead to a greater likelihood of cavities.

Benefits

Proponents of charcoal toothpaste claim that it has cosmetic and health benefits. However, there is not sufficient evidence to support these claims.

One of the primary reasons people use charcoal toothpaste is because they believe it is a natural way to whiten their teeth. However, studies do not support this claim. For example, a 2021 study that examined the whitening effects of charcoal toothpaste compared to regular fluoride toothpaste found no difference in whitening.

While some claim charcoal toothpaste has antimicrobial effects, the evidence for this assertion is weak. 

An inadvertent potential benefit of charcoal toothpaste is that it may cause people to brush longer in an attempt to remove the black color from their teeth and mouth. The downside is that charcoal’s abrasiveness may harm tooth enamel when used for too long or too aggressively.

Risks

Safety concerns include the potential for charcoal toothpaste to be abrasive, lack fluoride, and lead to decay and enamel damage. In addition, some people should avoid activated charcoal. These include:

• People who are pregnant or breastfeeding
• People who take birth control
• People who take oral medication

While you should not swallow charcoal toothpaste, sometimes it happens accidentally. In addition, charcoal toothpaste may get absorbed through the mucus membranes in your mouth. Ingested activated charcoal can reduce the absorption of drugs and other chemicals, which is why you should be careful about it if you take medications.

Natural Teeth Whitening Remedies

In addition to charcoal toothpaste, there are other remedies that people rely on to naturally whiten their teeth at home. 

Oil Pulling

Proponents of oil pulling claim that swishing oil in your mouth for 20 minutes can help pull stains and bacteria from your teeth. There is some evidence that oil pulling may be beneficial for oral hygiene.

For example, a 2017 review concluded that the limited evidence shows promising benefits for oral hygiene. However, the authors caution that oil pulling does not replace standard dental care.

Baking Soda

People sometimes use baking soda as a scrub for teeth whitening. Limited evidence supports the use for this purpose. A 2017 review found that baking soda is safe and effective for stain removal and teeth whitening.

Summary

People use charcoal toothpaste to whiten teeth and remove bacteria. However, there is little evidence to support the purported claims. Since activated charcoal can prevent the absorption of some drugs, people taking medication and birth control should be careful when using charcoal toothpaste. In addition, activated charcoal is not recommended if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

A Word From Verywell

If you are considering charcoal toothpaste, be sure to read the ingredients. If possible, choose one with fluoride and consider limiting how frequently you use it to avoid wearing down your enamel.

Other options for natural teeth whitening include oil pulling and baking soda. However, the ADA recommends good dental hygiene habits as the best way to keep your teeth healthy and white.