As we scroll through our social media feeds, we can see there are plenty of new wellness trends that use activated charcoal, like facial scrubs, masks, and deep conditioning treatments for healthier hair. But have you noticed the activated charcoal toothpaste? It’s hard to ignore those selfies with the goofy blackened mouth. But is this type of teeth whitening treatment safe to use? Here’s what you should know before trying activated charcoal toothpaste!
What is activated charcoal?
Charcoal is made of coal, wood, and other materials. When heated with a gas, it becomes active and porous - which means it’s able to absorb substances. It helps trap and get rid of unwanted toxins and chemicals in the body. It’s very well known as a detoxifying agent.
Health benefits of activated charcoal
The use of activated charcoal dates back several centuries as a remedy for numerous ailments. To this day, it is purported to possess many benefits (not all of them verified by science), including:
- Emergency poison control (due to its ability to bind to a variety of drugs and toxins)
- Kidney support (again binding to toxins in the body, thus reducing the kidney's filtration workload)
- Odor control
- Controlling cholesterol levels
- Treating bloating, gas, and diarrhea
- Filtering water
- Dermatological treatments
- Tooth whitening
Does activated charcoal teeth whitening work?
Activated charcoal does not work as a tooth-whitening agent — however, it can remove stains from tooth surfaces and fight bad breath. With long-term use, though, its abrasive qualities wear down the enamel (your teeth’s all-important protective outer shell). What that does is make your teeth more sensitive to hotter and cooler temperatures. Teeth with less enamel than normal can also appear more yellow. If you want a quick short-term fix for teeth stain removal, then activated charcoal is your answer. It is not to be confused with a professional teeth whitening option, or an ADA-approved dental fluoride treatment.
The best teeth whitening treatment
You’ll always get better results if you go to your dentist for cosmetic dentistry treatments. If you want a long-lasting, bright smile, then contact Dr. Kevin Mahoney and his team. They’ll give your smile a sparkle it never had before!