Years back, a reader from India informed me about a natural method to whiten teeth and it is the only approach I’ve used since that time. Her recommendation? Whiten teeth with charcoal!
Activated charcoal, which used to be used mainly as an antipoison treatment, has now become one of the most fashionable beauty ingredients. It’s added to everything from cleansing masks to toothpaste. We’ll work with dentists and experts to determine if black toothpaste is safe for whitening enamel and getting rid of red wine, tea and coffee stains quickly.
Activated charcoal is usually made from coconut shells, peat, oil or sawdust. This ingredient is known for its ability to absorb dirt and various odors. It is a kind of magnet that attracts toxins, so it is often used in water filtration systems and to treat food poisoning (as a sorbent). It will also work the same way when it comes to teeth, right?
An expert from a well-known cosmetics company cautions: toothpaste with charcoal feels similar to a scrub, only for the teeth. It has about the same effect on the tissues of the teeth and gums, and this contributes to enamel damage and the development of tooth decay. I do not recommend its use to those who suffer from hypersensitivity of the oral cavity.
Another disadvantage is the lack of fluoride in the toothpaste (almost all kinds of toothpastes with charcoal do not contain it). Fluoride strengthens enamel and protects teeth from cavities, which is important.
While too much fluoride can harm your teeth, toothpaste, even if you use it three or four times a day, is not the case. And for adults, the presence of this element in toothpaste is especially important to reduce any risks. People think that fluoride and fluoride compounds affect their immune system. But what they don’t think about is that it helps strengthen enamel, making teeth less susceptible to all kinds of influences, including acidic foods and drinks.
Back to black toothpaste, it tastes good, but it’s whitening. It only removes surface stains, and compared to other whitening toothpastes, charcoal toothpaste loses. At the same time, experts believe that reliable manufacturers use specially treated charcoal particles in toothpaste that do not damage enamel and are safe for gums.
Side Effects of Charcoal for Whitening Teeth
Charcoal has a porous structure, so that like a sponge it absorbs and helps to effectively remove particles of plaque from the surface of enamel, thereby enhancing the cleaning properties of the paste.
In toothpastes different types of charcoal can be used: bamboo, activated, charcoal, coconut charcoal and others. Their main difference in the adsorptive capacity (that is, the ability to absorb dirt). For example, activated charcoal has the maximum number of pores, respectively, it is the best at absorbing plaque. In second place on the adsorbing ability is bamboo charcoal, it is unique because it has a porous structure without additional processing, and in addition – has an antibacterial effect. Charcoal acts as a cleansing and polishing component.
On the Internet you can find tips on how to make your own tooth powder from ground activated charcoal. Dentists highly recommend not following such hand-made recipes, because this method can give the opposite effect: since the charcoal is not bound by the components of the paste (such as moisturizers), it can quickly clog the enamel pores, leading to the appearance of a gray shade of your smile. Also, brushing with pure charcoal can cause damage to enamel and increase tooth sensitivity, and fine charcoal particles can clog under the gum and cause inflammation.
Does Whitening Teeth with Activated Charcoal Works?
A well-known dentist from New York advises against using charcoal toothpaste daily. It is better to do it once a month because of the abrasiveness of the component, and it is not unreasonable to consult a dentist before using it. Another specialist in the field of dentistry and at all believes that the use of activated charcoal for teeth whitening can cause more harm than good:
No studies have been done that prove that using charcoal products for oral care is good for your teeth. If this kind of toothpaste is used too often or improperly, it can damage your enamel and cause tooth sensitivity and tooth decay.
If that’s not enough to be cautious about toothpaste with charcoal, it’s important to note that the American Dental Association (ADA) has not granted these toothpastes a certificate of quality. An article published in the ADA journal says there is “insufficient clinical and laboratory data to support the safety and efficacy requirements for the use of charcoal-based cleaners.” The paper also states that more research is needed to prove that charcoal is indeed safe for oral care. Does this mean that all toothpastes without the ADA seal are useless and should be avoided at all costs? Of course not.
What are the alternatives for teeth whitening?
The dentist advises his patients who want to make their teeth a couple of shades whiter to use a regular toothpaste with fluoride, such as Crest Cavity Protection Regular Paste (link to Amazon), which is developed by the world-famous company Procter & Gamble.
Dentists said that peroxide-based products (such as the same strips for home whitening) are effective, safe and do not hit the wallet. However, the best way to deal with severely yellowed teeth is to have your teeth professionally whitened at a dental clinic.
Q&A
How I Used Charcoal to Whiten Teeth
Dip a clean, wet tooth brush into the powdered charcoal (or discard a capsule of charcoal on the tooth brush). Lean over the container of charcoal and rapidly put the charcoal covered tooth brush in the mouth (this is to safeguard your sink). Brush in little, mild circles for 2 minutes, spit thoroughly and wash actually well.
Your mouth will feel incredibly tidy … your sink, not a lot! Use as typically as needed. Readers have actually likewise reported blending the charcoal with water and swishing with it for two minutes.
Where to Get Activated Charcoal
Most natural health stores carry activated charcoal in loose powder or capsule kind and it is also offered online. I keep both the powdered and capsuled forms on hand in case it is required for poisoning and I keep the powder in a small glass jar for tooth brushing. Make sure that the charcoal is from wood or coconut sources and not petroleum-based.
It is also crucial to keep in mind the distinction in between food/supplement grade triggered charcoal and other kinds of charcoal. I hope it goes without saying, however I’ll say it to be safe:.
Do not use any other kind of charcoal besides triggered charcoal in your mouth or internally. Do not use leftover charcoal from a BARBEQUE grill or charcoal briquettes. Do not use charcoal pencils or any other type of charcoal.
Charcoal Whitening FAQs
I’ve received a few of the exact same questions about this procedure numerous times so I’ve asked buddies who are dentists and done additional research to attempt to answer them:.
- Does it Stain Crowns/Veneers/Fillings?
I don’t have any of these in a visible place to be able to share any firsthand experience. Readers have reported attempting this technique of teeth whitening without a problem on these types of surface areas, however I ‘d definitely advise consulting your dental professional prior to utilizing this or anything else if you have any of these.
- Does Charcoal Pull Calcium From the Teeth?
Another concern that I’ve received frequently. As constantly, consult a dental professional if you have concerns about your teeth and prior to utilizing any compound to bleach them. From the research I discovered, charcoal binds primarily to natural substances and not minerals so there need to not be an issue of it pulling calcium from the teeth.
- Is Charcoal Too Abrasive for Teeth?
This is one concern that some dental specialists have expressed about whitening teeth with charcoal and it is a valid concern. I was unable to find any research that assessed how abrasive charcoal was to the surface of the teeth. A suggestion from my friend who is a dentist is to use the charcoal without brushing or scrubbing.
She suggested that anyone anxious about charcoal being abrasive or anybody with delicate teeth could accomplish the very same thing by simply dabbing charcoal onto the surface area of the teeth with a finger or cotton swab and letting it rest on the surface area of the teeth for two minutes before swishing with water and rinsing.
This would enable the charcoal to come in contact with the surface area of the tooth long enough to get rid of surface spots without the brushing or scrubbing action that might be too abrasive.
- What Kind of Stains Does Charcoal Work On?
My dentist buddy likewise recommended me that triggered charcoal will only deal with surface stains that it is able to bind to, specifically those from beverages like coffee and tea. This is due to the fact that it develops its absorbent properties which enable it to pull these stains from the teeth. It will not generally deal with teeth that have actually yellowed from antibiotics or other internal issues.
After using the activated charcoal for a few months and swishing with diluted routine 3% hydrogen peroxide when I keep in mind (at the recommendation of a dentist) I am truly happy with how white my teeth have become!