This week’s blog post is written by Honour Health’s dental therapist Caroline Short, who tells us her thoughts about charcoal toothpaste – the new trend you might have seen being promoted by celebrities across Instagram. Does it actually work?
Caroline says: “As more consumers seek natural alternatives to the products widely available on the high street, sales of charcoal-based toothpastes have rapidly emerged into the internet marketplace.
These products claim to brighten your smile using activated charcoal, which is rubbed against the teeth during brushing to remove surface stains. Like other ‘whitening’ toothpastes containing abrasive ingredients, long-term use of such products has been shown to increase the surface roughness of enamel and may lead to sensitivity.
Moreover, most charcoal-based toothpastes will not protect against dental decay and gum disease because they do not contain fluoride, the crucial ingredient in toothpaste, which helps to strengthen and protect your teeth and gums.
Currently there is not enough scientific research to substantiate the safety or effectiveness of many charcoal-based toothpastes, so I advise my patients to be cautious when using these products and instead recommend a non-whitening toothpaste containing fluoride for optimal oral health.
Professional whitening with a dentist is undoubtedly the safest and most effective option for those who wish to brighten the natural shade of their teeth.”
So if you see reviews and photos of charcoal toothpaste popping up all over Instagram, be wary – these products are unlikely to make your teeth much whiter and could worsen your teeth by weakening the enamel and increasing the risk of tooth decay.
If you’d like more information about how to safely whiten your teeth, book a free consultation at our Jesmond, Stanley or Ponteland practices. We offer at-home and in-surgery teeth whitening treatments, as well as our Airflow hygiene treatment, to reveal a brighter smile!