These whitening technologies are the most effective, according to a 2019 study that compared whitening toothpaste and technologies, including activated charcoal. Natural home remedies The marketing campaigns for these toothpastes are fashionable, trendy, and different to those for other toothpastes. This marketing has enjoyed considerable success, encouraging the introduction of related products, including ‘charcoal toothbrushes,’ which have charcoal incorporated into the bristles. As for those claims of “detoxifying” the mouth, while charcoal can lift away plaque and food particles that lead to bad breath, the effect won’t be much more dramatic than what you’d get with any other toothpaste. Unlike your liver and kidneys, the teeth and gums don’t perform a detoxifying function of the body, and since so-called toxins aren’t generally hanging out in your mouth anyway, there’s not much point in using your tooth-cleaning to purge them.

Cheng, for example, draws the contrast between fluoride and an often-used fluoride substitute, xylitol. Yes, she says, xylitol does have some antibacterial properties. But it still doesn’t have the cavity-fighting power of fluoride, which can help strengthen your teeth’s enamel if it has been weakened by tooth decay. Rodriguez says the key in choosing any toothpaste should always be how well the product cleans the surface of the tooth. He recommends looking for toothpaste that has grit and that foams when applied. While you may enjoy a natural toothpaste, you’ll also want to consult a doctor or dentist to see if the product will actually help your teeth. Juurlink DN. Activated charcoal for acute overdose: a reappraisal: Activated charcoal: a reappraisal. Br J Clin Pharmacol. 2016;81(3):482-487. doi: 10.1111/bcp.12793 In fact, the ADA’s only recommends toothpastes that include fluoride. A 2016 study reported that side effects can happen with unsupervised overingestion in a short period of time, but toxicity only occurred in very high concentrations.

XOC Cleansing Charcoal Toothpaste 100ml & Toothbrush

With charcoal toothpastes, it’s probably better to avoid the risk of using a product that is potentially too abrasive, Hewlett says. Greenwall L, Wilson N. Charcoal toothpastes: what we know so far. Clinical Pharmacist. 2017;9(8). doi:10.1211/PJ.2017.20203167 Unless you’re sensitive to fluoride or have another reason for avoiding it, you may want to talk with a dentist before ditching it completely.

Shanbhag VKL. Oil pulling for maintaining oral hygiene – a review. Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine. 2017;7(1):106-109. doi: 10.1016/j.jtcme.2016.05.004 Point to recent studies that show the damage that charcoal toothpaste can potentially cause to your teeth.

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A review in the British Dental Journalfrom early 2019 found that charcoal provides little protection against tooth decay, and there is limited scientific evidence to support the other health claims. In fact, adding powdered charcoal to toothpaste can actually make things worse. "When used too often in people with fillings, it can get into them and become difficult to get out," Dr. Joseph Greenwall-Cohen, co-author of the study from the University of Manchester Dental School, told the BBC. "Charcoal particles can also get caught up in the gums and irritate them."

I have concerns about the chronic exposure of the oral mucosa (tissue) to charcoal as the federal government has classified charcoal as a carcinogen. Another potential health concern we uncovered was that one-third of the 50 brands of charcoal toothpaste we investigated included bentonite clay, a mineral that may contain crystalline silica, another recognized carcinogen by the federal government. The popularity of charcoal toothpaste may be driven in part by the fact that many consumers are looking for personal care products, including toothpastes, with more natural ingredients. Li Y. Stain removal and whitening by baking soda dentifrice. The Journal of the American Dental Association. 2017;148(11):S20-S26. Doi: 10.1016/j.adaj.2017.09.006 Further, charcoal deactivates fluoride, which eliminates fluoride’s protection if a charcoal toothpaste does contain fluoride. Again, this could leave a patient at increased risk of decay.First, explain that there are no proven research studies that support the claims that charcoal toothpaste is beneficial to teeth.