Why Risk on Charcoal-Based Whitening Toothpaste?

Some trends do no good at all and some do more harm than good.

In this modern, internet, faddish world we are bombarded with these trends and fads.

And a fad that has been racing around the Internet recently, is that of charcoal for better health.

You can find charcoal in skin cream, detoxifying treatments, food, and now even in toothpaste.

People who use activated charcoal toothpaste argue that it is a natural way to whiten your teeth and keep your mouth free of potential toxins.

At Prevent Dental Suite, we are not so sure about this and recommend, to any patient considering charcoal toothpaste, that they learn the full pros and cons of the treatment.

If they do, we feel, they will decide that its downsides substantially outweigh any potential positive effects and that traditional treatment from Prevent Dental Suite is the far better way to go.

What is this activated charcoal thing?

Activated charcoal is another name for common charcoal that has been treated with gas, and it is made from petroleum, coal, peat, wood, and even coconut shells.

These materials are heated, along with gas, and the result is ‘activated’ charcoal, which is very porous charcoal.

This porosity means activated charcoal can trap chemicals – activated charcoal is a standard medical treatment for some kinds of poisoning.

The Real Effects of Charcoal Toothpaste

The first point is that it doesn’t work. A literature review in 2017 examined 118 articles and created a database of 50 charcoal toothpastes.

It discovered “insufficient scientific evidence to substantiate the cosmetic, health benefits (antibacterial, antifungal, or antiviral; reduced caries; tooth whitening; oral detoxification), or safety claims of marketed charcoal-based dentifrices.”

The myth behind charcoal-based tooth-whitener is that its absorbance means it can absorb stains, toxins, etc., and result in whiter teeth.

This myth of charcoal whitening is partly true but in a terrible way.

Charcoal is exceptionally absorbent, however scientists and dentists believe that, while charcoal might temporarily whiten teeth, it does so at the risk of the health of the tooth.

Charcoal whitening is little more than grinding off the top layer of tooth enamel, stains and all.

While this may temporarily whiten teeth, it also weakens them. Enamel protects the teeth, and as it abrades teeth become much more likely to crack, chip, break, or develop cavities.

The abrasion caused by charcoal can eventually cause even dingier teeth.

As enamel thins, the naturally yellow dentin below begins to show through, discolouring the teeth in a way that can no longer be remedied by safe, quick, and effective dental whitening.

This thinning can also lead to tooth sensitivity, and the charcoal itself can contribute to gum problems.

The study also found a real problem – many charcoal toothpastes lacked fluoride.

Only 8% of the charcoal toothpaste studied contained it. Fluoride remineralises teeth to strengthen them and prevent tooth decay.

Further, scientists speculate that the charcoal in it might cancel out the benefit of fluoride because its extreme absorptive ability might bind the fluoride.

In the end, if you have stained or discoloured teeth and want to make them brighter, you should turn to Prevent Dental Suite, not the Internet, for answers.

We can balance your needs, wants, and dental health to help you choose the best approach for your smile’s appearance and wellbeing.

Under our care, you’ll whiten your teeth both safely and efficiently, and with little muss or fuss, you’ll have a bright, healthy smile you’ll be eager to show off.

Safe, effective whitening at Prevent Dental Suite

The great news for people who are unhappy with the shade of their teeth is that Prevent Dental Suite offers whitening treatments that are quick, effective, proven safe over time, and not fads!

We offer both conventional and Zoom! Whitening, which can whiten your teeth in just about an hour, in the comfort of our office.

We also offer at-home whitening, which, after we provide customised tooth trays and gel, you do once daily, for about two weeks, in the comfort of your own home.

If you have teeth with permanent stains or stained teeth with additional cosmetic issues, we offer high-quality veneers to cover the problems and present an awesome smile to the world.

Finally, we can also take care of dark fillings that might show in your smile with our virtually undetectable white fillings.

Teeth whitening & Zoom! Whitening at Prevent Dental Suite
Veneers and white fillings at Prevent Dental Suite

High-Quality Dental Care at Prevent Dental Suite

Prevent Dental Suite are dedicated dental professionals providing gentle and patient-centred care to offer the best-quality dental service from the moment patients enter our office.

Dr Shilpa Gupta is the resident dentist at our Kallangur clinic and combines many years’ experience with personable service.

To learn more about our fantastic team, go to our team page.

Free Parking

Parking is simple and free – located at the rear of the building – access via Storey Road.

Kallangur dentist also serving local communities in Warner, Murrumba Downs, North Lakes, Petrie, Strathpine, Lillybrook, Griffin, Mango Hill, Lawnton, Deception Bay, Narangba, North Brisbane and Brisbane.