The rise of homeopathic and DIY solutions isn’t all bad. It’s good to be resourceful and health conscious. However, social media is probably too fast for its own good. One of the latest trends in homebrew teeth whitening solutions, charcoal, has several misconceptions that simply need to be put on blast. Keep reading to find out whether you need to dump out your toothpaste.
Charcoal vs. Activated Charcoal
Technically, the charcoal floating around Facebook and TikTok is activated charcoal. Hopefully you haven’t confused it with backyard grill fuel! Though activated charcoal is also made from things like coconut shells, olive pits, and wood, it goes through an extra heating step to become “activated”. Noteworthy characteristics of activated charcoal include:
- A fine but grainy texture
- Porosity that makes it very absorbent
- Capable of staining certain surfaces
You also don’t have to worry about activated charcoal being toxic or carcinogenic. On the contrary, it’s sometimes used to absorb poison from the bloodstream and reverse drug overdoses. The problem is with using it as a teeth whitener.
Abrasive Textures Harm Your Enamel
Dental enamel is pretty tough – one of the toughest substances in the human body, in fact. But like many organic materials, it can erode if consistently exposed to rough textures. When your enamel is thin, you’re more likely to experience excessive dental sensitivity and are at increased risk for teeth-eating conditions like tooth decay.
Remember how activated charcoal is made from hard-shelled materials and has a grainy feel to it? Yeah, it’s abrasive. Activated charcoal might whiten your teeth, but at the cost of your oral health.
Does Activated Charcoal Actually Whiten Teeth?
That’s the rub. Whether activated charcoal effectively whitens your teeth in the first place is highly debated – although perhaps it shouldn’t be. You see, there is no research connecting activated charcoal to dental stain removal. In fact, activated charcoal is known to stain most surfaces, including porcelain! That’s hard to do, by the way, because porcelain is non-porous. Keep activated charcoal well away from your sinks, porcelain restorations, and natural teeth!
The Final Nail in Activated Charcoal’s Coffin: No Approval
Since there’s no research suggesting that activated charcoal whitens teeth, and since studies are showing that it actually harms your enamel, neither the ADA nor FDA approve of activated charcoal’s use as a dental whitening agent. That’s about as objective as it gets!
Tried and True Professional Teeth Whitening
When all is said and done, activated charcoal is more likely to weaken your teeth and make them appear dull. Most over-the-counter teeth whitening products also fall into this camp.
If you truly want to remove dental stains, the most effective and safe option is to contact your dentist. Whether you choose an in-office treatment or take-home kit, your dentist will use gentle, professional-grade whitening agents. You could see a huge difference in as little as an hour!
About the Author
Dr. Lauri Barge was deeply impacted by her own experiences as a dental patient and knows that achieving a beautiful smile isn’t just about aesthetics. It’s about health and wellness, too! She’d be more than happy to remove your stubborn dental stains so that you can go about your day with renewed confidence. You can call her office at 972-539-3800 or explore her website for more information.