Activated Charcoal Teeth Whitening: Advice from a Dentist

 Activated charcoal is a controversial new protocol for teeth whitening. But there is more to the story than you’d imagine.
Activated charcoal has interesting properties that may make it effective for teeth whitening. However, there is more to the story than you may realize.

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!

It turns out there’s a bit more to the story behind activated charcoal and teeth whitening.

Even though it’s relatively new to the health and wellness space, activated charcoal has actually been used for quite some time.

But what we really want to know is – does it make yellow teeth turn white?

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

 

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 adsorbed 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 adsorbed by the human body; allowing it to carry toxins out of the body through excretions.

 

Medical Use of Activated Charcoal

Due to its unique properties, activated charcoal has many medicinal uses and healing properties.

One of the most valuable ways this material has benefited modern medicine is by preventing overdoses. Because activated charcoal has toxin-binding properties, it’s often used as an emergency poison treatment.

It can bind to a variety of over the counter and prescription drugs in order to reduce their effect. Studies show that activated charcoal can reduce drug absorption by up to 74 percent in adults.

Activated charcoal does have its limits though—in medical situations it is only used on a case-by-case basis.

 

Activated charcoal and other health benefits

Some medical professionals claim that activated charcoal may improve kidney function.

This is due to its toxin-binding qualities, and through reducing the number of waste products that the kidneys have to filter. This is especially beneficial for those suffering from kidney disease, a disease in which the kidneys can no longer properly filter waste products.

Also, if you are one of many people struggling with high cholesterol, activated charcoal has been shown to lower cholesterol. It’s able to bind cholesterol acids in the gut, limiting the amount that the body absorbs. One study conducted showed that cholesterol was lowered by 25 percent by taking activated charcoal each day for four weeks. Other studies also proved that activated charcoal prevents the absorption of “bad” cholesterol.

Activated charcoal has uses that span from medicine to natural beauty. It has become very popular to use activated charcoal in skin treatment. Applying it to the skin is said to purify the pores and treat acne.

 

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 adsorbing 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.

 

A Word of Caution: Is Activated Charcoal Too Abrasive?

I want to warn against using charcoal toothpaste that is too abrasive.

Since teeth do not regrow or replenish, using a substance that could potentially wear down the enamel may be detrimental. So it’s important to find a good charcoal toothpaste that isn’t too abrasive.

The whitening ability of charcoal exists in its porosity, while the trouble resides in its abrasiveness.

Relative Dentin Abrasivity (RDA) is a guide to measure abrasiveness for all FDA approved dental products and the FDA recommends a score of 200 or below.

Activated charcoal powder scores about a 70 to 90 on the RDA scale while most whitening toothpastes score between 100 to 200 RDA.

Always check the abrasiveness of activated charcoal toothpaste.

 

Use In Charcoal Toothpaste Moderation

Always consult with your dental professional before going ahead with any kind of teeth whitening procedure.

Abrasion of the teeth is when the enamel and dentin wear away over time due to abnormal process. When performing oral hygiene at home, avoid abrasion from applying too much force when brushing, using hard bristled toothbrushes and foreign substances.

Once the soften dentin in your teeth is exposed, abrasion happens at a faster rate and your oral health is more readily compromised. Protecting the tooth enamel helps maintain a healthy smile and lowers your risk for disease.

When it comes to activated charcoal for teeth whitening, discretion is advised. I have seen patients whose teeth suffered erosion due to the overuse of charcoal.

I also suggest you consider smearing the product on your teeth instead of brushing it on. This allows the product to effectively whiten the teeth without harming your enamel.

 

The Bottom Line

There is rational for using activated charcoal for teeth whitening – it may help adsorb discolorations in your tooth enamel. Activated charcoal has been anecdotally seen to whiten teeth, but use extreme care when brushing the substance onto your teeth.

WARNING: Although anyone can purchase activated charcoal powder, you should consult a dental professional before using it. The best way to keep your mouth happy and healthy is to continue regular dental appointments.

Natural dental remedies can be beneficial when used wisely. Share this article with a friend who would be interested to know that activated charcoal can whiten teeth!

Now we want to hear from you. Please leave your questions in the comments below.

For more information on Dr. Lin’s clinical protocol that highlights the steps parents can take to prevent dental problems in their children: Click here.

Want to know more? Dr Steven Lin’s book, The Dental Diet, is available to order today. An exploration of ancestral medicine, the human microbiome and epigenetics it’s a complete guide to the mouth-body connection. Take the journey and the 40-day delicious food program for life-changing oral and whole health.

Click below to order your copy now:

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Dr. Steven Lin is currently the Principal Dentist at Luminous Dentistry, a dental practice on the Central Coast of New South Wales, Australia, that strives to give individuals of all ages the best possible smile.

 

Resources:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1306980/pdf/westjmed00158-0063.pdf

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24036518

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15822758

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20061701

http://www.healthline.com/nutrition/activated-charcoal#section9

http://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2017/08/14/542830158/navigating-the-aisle-of-confusion-to-whiten-your-teeth

http://www.ada.org/en/member-center/oral-health-topics/toothpastes

https://www.dentalacademyofce.com/courses/1523/pdf/abrasionandimplications.pdf

25 Responses

  1. >Activated charcoal powder scores about a 70 to 90 on the RDA scale while most whitening toothpastes score between 100 to 200 RDA.

    So charcoal toothpaste is actually safer than the typical whitening toothpaste? Good to know.

  2. My sister loves to try new things and recently she’s wanted to learn more about charcoal teeth whitening. She especially likes that it’s said to be a pain-free way to remove discolorations from your teeth. Your advice to smear the product on the teeth instead of brushing it on will be a great way to safeguard her enamel as she looks into buying and trying a new product.

  3. I had no idea that it helps in improving or treating bad breath. My husband is sometimes having this kind of concern and I want to help him. I guess it’s because of smoking.

  4. Recently I really interested to try activated charcoal for teeth whitening and this article really help so much. Good article, gave us many knowledges, and advices too. Thank you for making this article.

  5. Occasionally, yes. Regularly, no. The main reason is that charcoal is connecting to everything, it does not know that one molecule is bad while another is good. It will take as much calcium and other mineral from your teeth as it will anything else. This is the reason we use activated charcoal only for emergency situation, it is able to absorb anything from your body and if this is a poison then the fact that it will absorb useful material too is irrelevant.
    If you use charcoal on daily basis it will eventually potentially destroy your enamel. Use it occasionally like in the morning but then in the evening follow it with some other regular product to add what was potentially destroyed.

  6. Whitening treatments purchased at the drugstore typically are available in one size and strength to suit all types associated with teeth. Unfortunately, with regards to dental work, each and every patient has various needs. The whitening trays and strips available at your local drugstore may provide great results on one patient’s the teeth while providing another with merely a partial whitening. This can lead to uneven results, along with some teeth showing up perfectly white, while some still show unsightly stains.

  7. Thank you so much for this article. Actually, this article is so attractive for us. Best toothpaste is very necessary to keep dental care and tooth cleaning. I think this article is better than another article.

  8. oda friut drinks orange juice anything sugar really and if having it alot can cause it… try drinking from a straw when you drink it lessen the pain because its not directly touching your teeth also use toothpaste for senstive teeth alot of brands make it

  9. I have been brushing with activated charcoal for about three months now. The first thing I noticed was that my gums no longer bleed. I started because of the whitening benefits which I can say I have noticed. Just went to the dentist this morning for my regular cleaning and I had a terrific appt! Hardly any tarter at all! I can’t wait to see what will accumulate in six months with regular use. I would recommend using activated charcoal to anyone and everyone. I think it’s keeping me healthy in these winter months too. Giving it two thumbs up!!

  10. Hi is it safe for the enamel to swish a 1/2 tsp of charcoal in 250ml of water around the mouth?
    I do this after brushing in the morning and then swallow it after swishing. Thanks

  11. Stay away from the professional teeth whitening procedures and from the whitening at home kits. They are using extremely toxic chemicals that can cause IRREVERSIBLE DAMAGE TO TOOTH ENAMEL and premature tooth decay.

  12. Does charcoal whitening work on external, intrinsic stain, or both?
    Thank you for the article; very informative.

  13. how often should one use the charcoal to whiten teeth? if it can be abrasive how much is too or too often much to use? and if I rub it on my teeth how long do I let it sit? thanks very much.

  14. Activated charcoal being a natural prouduct is a whole lot safer than regular toothpaste which has all kinds of toxic materials in it.
    AS the mouth especially under the tongue is the softest tissue, and is the simplest and quickest way for the body to absorb minute materials, why on earth would you put poisons and chemicals in your mouth in the first place? I used to, when I was ignorant on such things.

    In some old cultures natives used leaves from certain trees to clean their teeth, like they would use other kinds of leaves as toilet wipes. God has given us in the flora world a whole range of cleaning products which are useful and safe, and cheap.
    But money or more correctly the love of it, drives the western world and its tens of thousands of manufactured products have not made us westerners healthier but sicker. We may live longer but we have not eradicated sickness, but we produce a myriad of other kinds of diseases with our so called ‘evolutionary progress’.
    When healthy folk immigrate to the West from their poorer lands and adapt to our lifestyle, and become subject to our laws which require vaccines and so forth , often end up in the same unhealthy boat.

    Stick to natural as much as you can. You can even use ‘weeds’ like plantain, or dandelion, to rub your teeth with. Also chewing fibrous leaves as the above, or root vegies will aid in cleansing the teeth and mouth as well as the colon.

    1. Excellent! Don’t forget to add that cyanide occurs naturally in many of our foods that we eat, that hemlock is a plant found in nature, and that Co2 and CO are both gasses that occur naturally. We love all things from nature!

      Get your head out of your ass! Toothpaste has been tested and does not go on the market unless it is safe to use (that does not mean safe to consume in large amounts). You brush with it and then spit it out.

      People like you are dangerous and ill informed.

  15. The best part of activated charcoal is, it cannot be absorbed by the human body. This the best best material that helps in teeth whitening procedure. Thanks for sharing this article with us.

  16. I have to agree with the valid points you make in your article because I see things like you. Additionally, your content is interesting and really good reading material. Thank you for sharing your talent.

  17. I like your tip about absorbing discolorations in tooth enamel. That makes sense considering you don’t want to strip away your enamel. I’ll have to consider your tips so that I can take care of my teeth properly.

  18. Highly appreciate the article. Very informative and well written

    Just purchased some online before catching wind of its abrasivness and this helped me out a lot I figuring out what I have to do to use it safely.

    Thanks

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