Is it safe to use activated charcoal on your teeth everyday?

The activated charcoal’s pores bind with rough parts on teeth, usually surface stains and plaque, making it easier to remove the yellowing substances. Once the charcoal has been given enough time to stick to your teeth, it can be removed and when it is, the mineral takes the plaque, food particles, and surface stains with it. This is how the activated charcoal succeeds in whitening teeth – by getting rid of surface stains in one fell swoop. However, because it latches onto grittiness found on the teeth, activated charcoal does not change the colour of teeth that are deeply stained or naturally yellowing. For this, more drastic whitening measures need to be taken such as professional bleaching.

Is it safe?
Activated charcoal is safe to ingest, however the abrasiveness of the mineral can damage the enamel of your teeth if it’s scrubbed against them. Be very careful to only lightly graze teeth when applying the activated charcoal to them so not scratching, chipping, or other damage occurs. Do not perform this procedure if you have any open wounds, cuts, or abrasions.

Always consult your dentist before trying a procedure like this as you may not see the results you expect due to your specific situation. If you do not have a dentist, or are looking for a new dental practice, you can find your perfect match using 123Dentist’s database of the best dental practices in the lower mainland.

So, how do you do it?
The first step in whitening your teeth with activated charcoal is to purchase the mineral from your local health food store or pharmacy. Generally, the mineral is sold in tablet form so the next step is to grind up 1-2 tablets, which is about 1-2 teaspoons worth, in a container. Once the charcoal is a fine dust, add just enough water to form a paste. The next step is to apply the paste directly onto your teeth, which do not necessarily have to be clean, making sure to only dab or tap the mixture onto teeth, rather than rubbing it on, to avoid damaging your teeth. Leave the activated charcoal paste on your teeth for three minutes to ensure that it has had enough time to bind with surface stains on your teeth, then thoroughly rinse your mouth out several times before brushing your teeth clean.

Charcoal Whitening: Does it work and is it safe?

You see it everywhere now – advertised on Facebook and Instagram, in the beauty aisle at Target and Walgreens. Activated charcoal can be found in pill form, facemasks, you name it. There are even charcoal teeth whitening products on the market. Reviews on social media urge consumers to join the trend. But does charcoal actually whiten teeth, and is it even safe?

First off, you may be asking, “What is charcoal exactly?” It has often been used for poison control and to prevent overdoses, due to its toxin-binding properties. Though commonly seen in the health and beauty world today, activated charcoal is a little different than the charcoal or coal from your outside grill. Activated charcoal is finely ground bits of coconut shells, coal, peat, bone char, even sawdust, and more. Then, it is heated, thus making it more porous.

Charcoal teeth whitening instructions
Open an activated charcoal capsule, and empty contents into a small bowl.
Take a wet toothbrush, and dip it into the activated charcoal powder.
Brush your teeth gently for 2 to 5 minutes.
Also, there are actual toothpastes with activated charcoal as an ingredient. If you decide to brush with those, follow the package directions or simply brush as you would with any other toothpaste. Make sure not to use activated charcoal toothpaste as a replacement for your regular toothpaste. It should just be a very occasional supplement if used at all.

Does charcoal teeth whitening work?
Activated charcoal, when brushed on your teeth, attracts dirt and tartar like a magnet. Then, when you rinse your mouth, your teeth look whiter because some of the stains have been removed. Does that mean your teeth made whiter? Not necessarily. This is because the charcoal is simply showing how white your teeth are without stains. It isn’t progressively whitening your teeth like at-home teeth trays or in office whitening treatments. If anything, it’s simply just cleaning the teeth.

Is activated charcoal teeth whitening safe?
There doesn’t seem to be enough studies and proven evidence to definitively state whether or not charcoal teeth whitening is safe. While the FDA has approved many activated charcoal products, the ADA has yet to give their seal of approval.

If taking the leap and trying charcoal teeth whitening, please be cautious. That being said, there are many professional teeth whitening services to choose, which are actually proven to be safe. Talk to your dentist about your options today!

Charcoal teeth whitening dangers
Though not stamped unsafe or safe, there are still potential dangers. If you are only using charcoal toothpaste when brushing your teeth, then you may have issues with the levels of fluoride for your teeth. Most regular toothpastes have enough fluoride in them to protect teeth from decay. Charcoal toothpastes do not.

Some dentists worry about charcoal affecting the enamel and leading to tooth erosion. The abrasiveness of activated charcoal powder is still unknown. Further, teeth cannot heal themselves. Once erosion occurs, there is no turning back. And though there haven’t been studies to prove charcoal harms your teeth, the issue is that there has yet to be any formal testing to prove it won’t hurt your teeth.

Additionally, as previously mentioned, activated charcoal is like a magnet. So if it is ingested, it could also absorb the effectiveness of medication you may have taken. Be careful if deciding to orally use charcoal for any reason.

What’s the verdict on charcoal teeth whitening?
At the end of the day, charcoal whitening is not really whitening your teeth. It does seem to do a decent job at removing tougher stains from coffee, dark soda, and wine consumption.

Regardless, if you are looking for whiter teeth, ask your dentist what they would recommend as a whitening treatment. Otherwise, be cautious if deciding to try charcoal teeth whitening in any capacity. And remember – don’t throw away your regular toothpaste. You still need the protective properties from fluoride and similar ingredients not found in activated charcoal. If you have any questions, book an appointment today!

Activated Charcoal Teeth Whitening: Advice from a Dentist

Activated charcoal is a popular topic these days. It’s hard to be on social media and not see someone using it for teeth whitening purposes.
You can smear it on your face, wash your hair with it, and even brush your teeth with the black powder. I have to admit, I was quite shocked when I first saw activated charcoal being used for teeth whitening. My first reaction was there was no way this could be safe!

Let’s get to the bottom of what we know about activated charcoal and teeth whitening.

Is Activated Charcoal OK for Teeth Whitening?

In the past decade teeth whitening has become a global industry. From dental office bleaching treatments to DIY home remedies, the perfect white smile is well sought after.

Can activated charcoal safely whiten teeth? There’s no formal evidence that activated charcoal whitens teeth.

However, activated charcoal has been FDA approved for many health uses. The American Dental Association has not currently approved any activated charcoal products for dentistry.

Though, observations suggest that using activated charcoal on your teeth is effective in absorbing plaque and other compounds that stain teeth. Meaning, the chemical properties of activated charcoal is a natural teeth whitener. It doesn’t neutralize the toxins—it binds to them, resulting in whiter teeth.

What is Activated Charcoal Teeth Whitening?

Activated charcoal is an age-old material with various uses. However, it gained recognition at the end of the 20th century and has only grown in popularity since then for teeth whitening.

In 1834, an American physician used activated charcoal to save the life of a patient who accidentally ingested mercury chloride. Since then, many safe and effective uses of the substance have been discovered, including using it to brush your teeth.

But I’m not talking about the charcoal that’s commonly used on the barbeque—although they are both made from the same base materials.

Activated charcoal is a finely milled black powder made from coconut shells, bone char, olive pits, coal, sawdust, or other materials. The charcoal is processed with high heat, which “activates” it. This changes its internal structure, making it more porous than regular charcoal.

It’s also processed in this way to rid it of any additional substances that are harmful to humans. It has a chemical composition that makes it a useful substance in a variety of situations.

Here’s a basic chemistry lesson on activated charcoal.

Activated charcoal has a negative electrical charge, which attracts positively charged molecules. Toxins and gases have a positive charge, causing them to be absorbed by the charcoal.

You’ve probably heard of nasty free radicals and the damage they can cause in your body. Yep. Charcoal traps those too.

Since it also has a porous texture, this adds to its efficiency in trapping unwanted substances. The best part is that activated charcoal cannot be absorbed by the human body; allowing it to carry toxins out of the body through excretions.

Does Activated Charcoal Teeth Whitening Work?

You can find an array of dental products containing activated charcoal on store shelves, from toothpastes to kits. But despite its popularity, there’s no scientific evidence backing up activated charcoal’s benefits for teeth.

Since there’s no data behind the claims that activated charcoal is safe or effective, products containing this ingredient aren’t eligible for the American Dental Association (ADA) Seal of Acceptance.

According to the ADA, activated charcoal’s abrasive texture might even harm rather than whiten teeth by wearing down tooth enamel.

Despite this lack of scientific evidence, some people still swear by activated charcoal’s ability to eliminate tooth stains and whiten teeth.

Precautions for using activated charcoal on teeth
It’s important to protect your teeth by using products that won’t wear down enamel. Since overuse of activated charcoal products can lead to teeth erosion, use them cautiously.

Before using activated charcoal, consider checking in with your dentist to determine if it’s the right choice for you.

Is charcoal toothpaste good for you?

The truth is, activated charcoal might be doing you more harm than good. In fact, the Oral Health Foundation in the U.K. just issued a statement warning people that the whitening effects of activated charcoal may be overblown, and brushing with it may actually put your teeth at risk.

Activated charcoal is simply common charcoal—made from peat, coal, wood, coconut shell, or petroleum—that is heated along with a gas, which makes the charcoal more porous. This helps activated charcoal “trap” chemicals, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine. That’s one reason why it’s likely effective for its standard medical use, which is for treatment of poisoning.

Companies that make activated charcoal toothpaste also claim that the activated charcoal can remove toxins from the teeth and gums, which can lift stains from your teeth and leave you with a whiter smile.
​But according to the Oral Health Foundation's statement, these claims might not be accurate.

“Much of the time the celebrity has had professional tooth whitening and their white smiles are not a direct result of using the product,” he explained. A lot of the whitening claims are anecdotal, and even if you do notice an improvement, it’s likely not long-lasting since all it’s doing is removing surface stains.

But there might be a bigger issue at play here: if you’re only using charcoal toothpaste, you might be putting your teeth at risk.

One reason? Your toothpaste must contain high enough levels of fluoride to protect your teeth against decay, says Dr. Carter. Many of the activated charcoal toothpastes available now don’t contain enough fluoride to do so, he says.

The statement from the Oral Health Foundation isn't the first time researchers have raised concerns about activated charcoal.

And a review from the Journal of the American Dental Association published earlier this year concluded that dentists should “advise their patients to be cautious” when using these products due to “unproven claims of efficacy and safety.”

Bottom line: There’s just a lot that we don't know about activated charcoal right now, and there's not enough evidence to prove that it can whiten your smile while keeping your teeth healthy.

Is Charcoal Toothpaste Safe to Use?

For starters, there are concerns about the abrasiveness of charcoal, which some say could damage enamel if used regularly, as well as charcoal’s tendency to absorb all sorts of things it comes into contact with, including good things like medications.

Charcoal tooth treatments have found plenty of proponents who say that a regular coating of the stuff whitens their teeth and kills off bad breath-causing bacteria.

The reality, as it so often is, may be somewhere in the middle. “I recommend a charcoal toothpaste to remove surface stains but not to whiten teeth,” says cosmetic dentist Gregg Lituchy, adding, “It is difficult to actually whiten a tooth with any toothpaste, but those with charcoal do remove surface stains effectively.”

"It is difficult to actually whiten a tooth with any toothpaste, but those with charcoal do remove stains effectively."

As for those concerned about charcoal absorbing medications, the good news is that charcoal really only performs any significant degree of absorbtion when it comes into prolonged contact with medications in the digestive tract. Provided you’re rinsing out your charcoal tooth treatment rather than swallowing it, there’s very little chance of the activated charcoal on your teeth effecting your prescriptions.

If you’re looking to work charcoal into your whitening and breath-freshening routine, you best bet is to brush with a charcoal-based paste or sub in a toothbrush with charcoal-infused bristles every other day to strip away food and drink stains. Though there has been very little study on the abrasive effects of charcoal on teeth, most activated charcoal toothpastes feature abrasives like baking soda which can wear at teeth; especially those already prone to sensitivity. As a consequence, Lituchy advises erring on the side of caution and brushing the paste on very gently to avoid wearing down the surface enamel, which can make teeth more prone to staining in the long run.

Speaking of enamel, don’t go throwing out your regular toothpaste just yet. “Activated charcoal can be used as a supplement to brushing with regular toothpaste for people who are seeking a whiter smile, but it cannot be used in place of it,” says Lituchy. “Regular toothpaste gives us the fluoride we need to fight dental decay so it’s necessary to keep it as part of a daily regimen.”

How To Whiten Teeth at Home With Activated Charcoal, Learn more Harpersbazaar

Is Charcoal Whitening Powder Safe?

Activated charcoal is safe to ingest, however the abrasiveness of the mineral can damage the enamel of your teeth if it’s scrubbed against them. Be very careful to only lightly graze teeth when applying the activated charcoal to them so not scratching, chipping, or other damage occurs. Do not perform this procedure if you have any open wounds, cuts, or abrasions.

Always consult your dentist before trying a procedure like this as you may not see the results you expect due to your specific situation. If you do not have a dentist, or are looking for a new dental practice, you can find your perfect match using 123Dentist’s database of the best dental practices in the lower mainland.

How To Whiten Teeth at Home With Activated Charcoal, Learn more 123Dentist

Whiten Teeth Activated Charcoal: Instructions and Tips

1. Charcoal teeth whitening instructions
2. Coconut oil and activated charcoal teeth whitening
3. Charcoal teeth whitening reviews
4. Is it safe to brush your teeth with charcoal?
5. Does charcoal toothpaste really work?

Activated Charcoal Whiten Teeth can effectively remove surface stains on teeth, allowing them to take on a brighter, whiter appearance.

1. Charcoal teeth whitening instructions

• Wet your toothbrush well.
• Place toothbrush on top of a napkin, piece of toilet paper, or paper towel.
• Gently twist open your activated charcoal capsule.
• Carefully empty activated charcoal powder onto toothbrush
• Start brushing! It will be a little bit “powdery” at the beginning, but your saliva will soon take over and spread the powder everywhere. You could also add a small amount of toothpaste to your toothbrush and dip into the charcoal powder if you prefer.
• Gently brush for 3 to 5 minutes. Spit periodically into your cup, rather than sink. This will make clean up easier!
• Rinse your mouth well with water. Be sure to brush your tongue, too. (It will get black!)

Learn more Charcoal teeth whitening instructions

2. Coconut oil and activated charcoal teeth whitening

Activated charcoal takes out toxins as well as impurities from body. It offers mouth an excellent Detox, and whitens enamel without effect of bleaching agents.

• Take 2 tsp of Activated charcoal powder
• Mix it with 1 cup full Coconut oil
• Put 20 drops of Peppermint essential oil
• Mix well to make it soft
• Place it in mold of round shape. 2-3 spoon in every mold
• Place it in freezer for 15 mins
• Now take one tab in your mouth and keep chewing till it melts. Keep spreading as it lets all over teeth and tongue for 10 to 20 minutes.
• Spit well

How it work: The tabs work to completely detox the teeth and tongue to remove the stains specially caused due to tannins
Use these once weekly, Before brushing. Store the Charcoal and coconut tabs in cool dark place to avoid melting and for storing long.

Learn more Coconut oil and activated charcoal teeth whitening

3. Charcoal teeth whitening reviews

By Kahli Merriman: Even if you're lazy, it still helps!
I hate brushing my teeth and taking the time for oral hygiene care, hence why I needed a product to help me with that. These pictures are exactly a month apart and I only used the product about 3-5 times a week. I wasn't sure if it was actually helping but it is quite obvious from the photo that with even a small amount of usage, it does! I also love that the product is all natural and organic! I would highly recommend this product especially for the painless price.

By gerardo garcia: Gets Results but at a Cost
I might be the random customer this happened to but as soon as I received the package I opened the container slowly and POOF black dust shot up everywhere onto my furniture/face/everywhere from just a slow twist open. Product works great just be careful when you first receive and open because it can leave a mess that's hard to get out.

+> Source Review Amazon

4. Is it safe to brush your teeth with charcoal?

I have to admit, I was quite shocked when I first saw activated charcoal being used for teeth whitening. My first reaction was there was no way this could be safe!

In 1834, an American physician used activated charcoal to save the life of a patient who accidentally ingested mercury chloride. Since then, many safe and effective uses of the substance have been discovered, including using it to brush your teeth.

Can activated charcoal safely whiten teeth? There’s no formal evidence that activated charcoal whitens teeth.

However, activated charcoal has been FDA approved for many health uses. The American Dental Association has not currently approved any activated charcoal products for dentistry.

However, if your tooth discoloration is below the surface, you may not see a difference after using charcoal toothpaste. Additionally, the American Dental Association (ADA) has a few warnings about the stuff. Since charcoal toothpaste isn’t only porous but also pretty abrasive it can be damaging to teeth. Regularly brushing your teeth with a highly abrasive toothpaste can wear away tooth enamel and leave your teeth at risk for cavity-causing bacteria. A thinner enamel may also mean a duller discolored smile.

How To Whiten Teeth at Home With Activated Charcoal, Learn more Is it safe to brush your teeth with charcoal

5. Does charcoal toothpaste really work?

Charcoal toothpaste is made from something called activated charcoal, which is a treated form of carbon. The treating process makes the carbon porous. It’s these pores that are reasonable for the claim that charcoal toothpaste can whiten teeth. Essentially, it’s believed that these pores can pull stains, tartar, and bacteria away from teeth.

Charcoal toothpaste can effectively remove surface stains on teeth, allowing them to take on a brighter, whiter appearance.

How To Whiten Teeth at Home With Activated Charcoal, Learn more Does charcoal toothpaste really work?

Whiten Teeth With Hydrogen Peroxide

Whiten Teeth With Hydrogen Peroxide, once you see visible results and your teeth turn whiter, discontinue using hydrogen peroxide for a couple of weeks. It cannot be a part of your daily oral care regimen as continuous usage can cause more harm than good to your teeth.

1. How long does hydrogen peroxide to whiten teeth?
2. Can peroxide help whiten teeth?
3. Is hydrogen peroxide safe for teeth and gums?
4. How To Whiten Teeth With Hydrogen Peroxide
   
   • 4.1 Hydrogen Peroxide And Baking Soda
   • 4.2 Hydrogen Peroxide And Lemon Juice
   • 4.3 Hydrogen Peroxide And Salt

1. How long does hydrogen peroxide to whiten teeth?

Brush with a whitening toothpaste. Buy a product with at least 3.5% hydrogen peroxide, which is the standard amount.
Brush your teeth twice a day with the toothpaste. It can take four to six weeks to notice results.
Consider using another peroxide product in addition to a toothpaste to get deeper stains and have better results. (1)

2. Can peroxide help whiten teeth?

To start, Hydrogen Peroxide is a bleaching agent, and can absolutely help in whitening teeth. In fact, many over-the-counter tooth whitening products have a good amount of Hydrogen Peroxide — sometimes as much as 10 percent (just to give you a point of reference, the brown bottles you buy are typically 3 percent.) (1)

The main benefit of using hydrogen peroxide for teeth stain removal is that it is effective and does not cost you much.

+ It is a chemical lightening agent that removes the build-up from the teeth and whitens them.
+ It possesses antimicrobial properties that can benefit those afflicted with oral ailments like plaque, gingivitis, and bleeding gums
+ It can counter bad breath by eliminating the odor-causing bacteria from the mouth. (1)

3. Is hydrogen peroxide safe for teeth and gums?

“Using peroxide diluted appropriately can certainly help maintain gum tissue health and can slowly whiten teeth,” says New York cosmetic dentist Jason Kasarsky, DDS. It kills bacteria and even has the power to help heal mouth sores and disinfect your toothbrush. But the key thing to remember is that you have to use it properly and dilute it to a safe percentage.

“There are no bad effects that can occur if you dilute it appropriately,” says Dr. Kasarsky. If it’s not diluted properly, you can create tooth sensitivity and blanche your gums, although the negative effects typically don’t last very long. As for the rumor that rinsing with hydrogen peroxide can cause cancer, that’s a myth as it’s not a known carcinogen. (1)

4. How To Whiten Teeth With Hydrogen Peroxide (1)

4.1 Teeth Whitening With Baking Soda And Hydrogen Peroxide

The coarseness of the baking soda helps to breakdown the yellow stains on the teeth. It basically acts as an abrasive agent. It also has teeth whitening properties

+ Add enough 3% hydrogen peroxide solution solution to 1 teaspoon baking soda to get a paste of medium consistency.
+ Transfer this paste onto your toothbrush and brush your teeth with it.
+ Use this DIY teeth whitening toothpaste twice a week.

4.2 Hydrogen Peroxide And Lemon Juice For Teeth Whitening

Lemon juice is a natural bleaching agent that can remove the yellow stains from your teeth and whiten them

+ To 1 teaspoon baking soda, add a few drops of lemon juice and hydrogen peroxide.
+ Mix everything well and apply this paste on your teeth.
+ Leave it on for a minute or two.
+ Rinse your mouth thoroughly with water.
+ Do this once or twice a week.

4.3 Hydrogen Peroxide And Salt For Teeth Whitening

Just like the baking soda, the graininess of the salt helps to dislodge the yellow stained layer on your teeth and restore them to their natural white selves.

+ Mix the two ingredients 2 tablespoons hydrogen peroxide and 1 tablespoon salt rub this paste against your teeth with either a toothbrush or your fingertip.
+ Rub gently for 1-2 minutes and then rinse your mouth.
+ Repeat this twice a week.

Does baking soda and toothpaste make your teeth white?

1. How to make baking soda toothpaste
2. Charcoal and baking soda toothpaste
3. Can I put baking soda on my toothpaste?
4. Is baking soda toothpaste better?

One study found that toothpastes containing baking soda were significantly more effective at removing yellow stains from teeth than standard toothpastes without baking soda. The higher the concentration of baking soda, the greater the effect. A review of five studies found that toothpastes containing baking soda removed plaque from teeth more effectively than non-baking soda toothpastes.

1. Homemade whitening toothpaste with baking soda

Brushing with a paste made with baking soda and water can reduce bacteria in your mouth and buff away surface stains.
Does baking soda and toothpaste make your teeth white?
By Moony214
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 5 minutes
Servings: 1-2 servings

Ingredients: You need

• 1 teaspoon of baking soda
• 2 teaspoons of water

Instructions:

1. Mix 1 teaspoon of baking soda with 2 teaspoons of water
2. Mix with the baking soda until blended
3. Dip your toothbrush into mixture and brush teeth
4. Let baking soda mixture sit on teeth for 3 minutes and rinse. You can do this a few times per week.

Whitening teeth with baking soda and toothpaste at Healthline

2. Charcoal and baking soda toothpaste

Charcoal toothpaste is made from something called activated charcoal, which is a treated form of carbon. The treating process makes the carbon porous. It’s these pores that are reasonable for the claim that charcoal toothpaste can whiten teeth. Essentially, it’s believed that these pores can pull stains, tartar, and bacteria away from teeth.

Charcoal toothpaste can effectively remove surface stains on teeth, allowing them to take on a brighter, whiter appearance.

Whitening teeth with Charcoal and baking soda toothpaste

3. Can I put baking soda on my toothpaste?

You can mix a little baking soda and fluoride toothpaste. Squeeze your regular toothpaste onto your toothbrush, then sprinkle a pinch of baking soda on top. Brush your teeth as you normally would for 2 minutes with soft, circular motions. Then spit and, if you need to rinse away white residue, swish your mouth with a little water.
As with a baking soda and water paste, brush with baking soda and toothpaste in moderation. Try it every other day for 1 to 2 weeks at first, then brush with baking soda once or twice a week at most.

Whitening teeth with baking soda on my toothpaste

4. Is baking soda toothpaste better?

Answer: Baking Soda, sodium bicarbonate, is one of the least abrasive and most effective tooth cleaners on the market today. Date from various clinical and lab studies show that a toothpaste containing baking soda neutralizes acids and odors, removes plaque and deep tooth stain more readily than other leading toothpastes, and leaves your mouth fresh and feeling very clean. Baking soda is a soft mineral that is very soluble in waster, and therefore not very abrasive. In fact it is less abrasive than most other toothpaste cleaning agents that are sold. One can use baking soda to brush their teeth without buying the toothpaste that contains baking soda. It would be more cost effective to do so, however the toothpaste version would be easier to use ( no time wasted dissolving and mixing the powder in water), and it would, most likely, taste better. If you were to use the baking soda version, since it doesn’t contain fluoride, it would be advisable to use an after brushing fluoride rinse to help prevent cavities.

Whitening teeth with baking soda toothpaste