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It can be. Charcoal toothpaste whitens by scrubbing, and that abrasion wears enamel away. As enamel thins, the yellower layer underneath shows through, so teeth can end up looking more yellow over time, the opposite of what you bought it for. A 2017 review of 50 charcoal products found no scientific support for their whitening claims.
More about professional teeth whitening in Riverview.
Answered by the team at Bright White Dental Hygiene Clinic in Riverview, NB, serving Moncton and Dieppe.
Full transcript of the video answer on whether charcoal toothpaste is bad for your teeth, given by Amber-Lee, IRDH, at Bright White Dental Hygiene Clinic in Riverview, NB, serving Moncton and Dieppe.
Question: Is Charcoal Toothpaste Bad for Your Teeth?
“Charcoal toothpaste does make your teeth whiter. Here's why that's bad news. It causes damage to the tooth enamel. It actually strips it away. Your teeth will actually look more yellow over time.”
Surface stain from coffee or tea sits on the enamel. A gritty paste scrubs that stain off, and some enamel goes with it. Enamel is partly see-through and the dentin under it is naturally yellow, so every layer lost lets more yellow show. That is the trade Amber-Lee is warning about.
In 2017 the Journal of the American Dental Association published a review of charcoal toothpastes. The authors looked at 50 products and found no scientific support for their claims of whitening, detox or killing bacteria. Only 8% of the products contained fluoride, the ingredient with the strongest evidence for preventing cavities.
Whitening gel works from the inside. The gel moves into the tooth and breaks down the stain there, so nothing is scrubbed off the surface. At Bright White the options are one-hour in-chair whitening at $350 plus tax, or custom take-home trays at $300 plus tax that you keep for years.
A cleaning first removes tartar and surface stain, so the gel reaches the tooth evenly.
Switch to a fluoride toothpaste. If your teeth have become sensitive, or look more yellow at the edges than they used to, mention it at your next cleaning so your hygienist can check for wear.
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Whitening options and transparent pricing — in-office $350 + tax, take-home trays $300 + tax.
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Book whitening with Amber-Lee's team in Riverview: one hour in the chair, or custom trays you keep.
