Charcoal teeth whitening products

It's one of the most common concerns that we hear from our patients..."My teeth are too yellow/dark" and so not surprisingly teeth whitening is BIG on the personal care market. 

Over the years we've heard it all, lemons and bicarb to sticky strips off eBay(nice!) but one that pops up again and again is charcoal. There are a whole host of different products on the market, each making a more grandiose claim than the last. We've all seen countless social media posts of a toothy grin smothered in black paste, and boots alone offers fifteen different variations on its website. 

So, with big names like OralB and Colgate getting in on the craze, it must be legit, right? Here's the science...

Most of these products contain what's known as activated charcoal. Activated charcoal is charcoal that has been exposed to a special gas which causes it to develop large pores or spaces. The idea is that the activated charcoal can then absorb stains more effectively and soak up substances from the surface of the teeth. All the studies we could find seem to be unclear as to whether it is the absorption qualities of the charcoal that removes surface stains or simply that these products tend to be slightly abrasive in nature. Essentially, it could just be that the charcoal toothpastes act like an exfoliator for your teeth, scrubbing away stains and debris giving the effect of a whiter, brighter smile.

So far so good. Charcoal whitening products have little science to prove you can drastically change the colour of your smile but there is certainly evidence that they work to some extent. However, ironically, there is a darker side to charcoal whitening products...

We mentioned above how it is perhaps the abrasive quality of charcoal that has given it a great reputation as a whitening product. Some companies have capitalised on the fast and noticeable results of an abrasive product and added other abrasive constituents to boost the effect. Great right? Wrong! Using anything too abrasive on your teeth will wear down your enamel, causing permanent irreversible damage to the tooth's surface. This can cause sensitivity and leave you more susceptible to decay and cavities. 

And there's more! Wearing down your enamel can leave your teeth looking YELLOW -not what you want if you have purchased a whitening product. This is because the layer below the enamel, dentine, which is yellow in colour is now visible beneath the worn-down enamel.

So what do we recommend? Firstly, always talk to your dentist first. So many patients are too shy to ask about whitening as there are several myths about it being bad for your teeth (when performed by a dentist, it is completely safe). They think they will get a telling off just for asking - not at all! We understand how important your smile is to you and in turn how important confidence is to smiling. Who doesn't want a healthy white smile! Your dentist will have a number of options available to help you get to your desired shade, you just need to ask. Secondly, if you do buy a charcoal whitening toothpaste or product then please do your research first. Is it a reputable brand? Is it approved by UK governing bodies? 

Finally, use sparingly and definitely not daily. Once a month should be sufficient to maintain a bright smile.

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