{"id":238,"date":"2019-06-08T18:20:01","date_gmt":"2019-06-08T18:20:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.drlmetzger.com\/blog\/?p=238"},"modified":"2019-07-08T18:20:08","modified_gmt":"2019-07-08T18:20:08","slug":"charcoal-teeth-whitening","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.drlmetzger.com\/blog\/charcoal-teeth-whitening\/","title":{"rendered":"Does Charcoal Teeth Whitening Actually Work?"},"content":{"rendered":"

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If you\u2019ve been on social media recently, odds are you\u2019ve come across a photo of someone with teeth that look like they\u2019re covered in some kind of black foam. It\u2019s not actually foam, but activated charcoal. People claim this new craze is better for your teeth than professional whitening treatments. Is that true? Let\u2019s look at whether charcoal is effective at teeth whitening, and how it compares to whitening treatments<\/a> from your dentist.<\/p>\n

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What is Charcoal Toothpaste?<\/h2>\n

The main ingredient in charcoal toothpaste is charcoal, but it\u2019s not exactly what you would find in the grill or an art studio. The component in toothpaste is what\u2019s referred to as \u201cactivated charcoal.\u201d<\/p>\n

Charcoal is activated by being exposed to a special gas that makes it develop large pores. These spaces make the charcoal more absorbent, allowing it to soak a variety of substances, including, some claim, surface stains on your teeth.<\/p>\n

Activated charcoal is not the only ingredient in these toothpastes. Some might contain flavoring. Some have fluoride as well, but others do not. Some even come in a different form besides toothpaste, such as powder or tablets.<\/p>\n

Can Charcoal Actually Whiten Your Teeth?<\/h2>\n

Studies have not been able to determine a direct relationship between charcoal and teeth whitening. More research is needed to prove a connection.<\/p>\n

Advocates of activated charcoal say that it can absorb surface stains. However, some research has suggested that the toothpaste simply scrubs the teeth\u2019s enamel and does not actually remove the stains. One option might be that charcoal has caused people to brush more, resulting in slightly whiter teeth. However, that treatment does not have nearly as many advantages as seeking a professional whitening treatment from your dentist.<\/p>\n

What Are the Benefits of Professional Teeth Whitening?<\/h2>\n

If you\u2019re interested in a brighter smile, the first thing you should do is talk to your dentist. Because the jury is still out on the benefits of activated charcoal whitening, your dentist will likely prescribe you a professional whitening treatment instead, since its results have been proven to work. Here are a few benefits of getting your teeth professionally whitened:<\/p>\n