Are charcoal-activated dental products good for tooth discoloration?

Are charcoal-activated dental products good for tooth discoloration?

Some studies conclude that charcoal-activated toothpaste as a whitening option achieves the highest whitening outcome, and others state the opposite. It does pose a higher abrasive potential than other whitening toothpaste options.

It was discovered that charcoal has a high absorption ability and can extract fluoride from drinking water. This can cause a reduction in remineralization of the enamel, causing a high risk for caries. It was also found that charcoal-activated toothpaste is more abrasive than standard toothpaste. Charcoal also adheres to deposits on the teeth.1

Even though a whitening effect is given when using charcoal-activated dental products, it’s recommended to use whitening toothpastes, especially those containing charcoal, with caution. This is due to their abrasiveness to the enamel surface and an increased risk of causing dental issues.2

To recommend or not to recommend?

The stated benefits of using charcoal-containing products does not appear to match the outcomes. There needs to be more attention paid to the effects of charcoal-based products on tooth enamel. The supposed reward is not worth the risks. If a whitening toothpaste of any kind is used, it should not be used daily due to the abrasiveness.

As dental professionals, it’s our job to inform patients about the risks and benefits of various dental products. So, the next time your patients mention charcoal-based products or ask if you think they should use them for their discoloration, be sure to provide them with all the facts.

References

1. Altiparmakian ET, Aybala Oktay E, Karaoğlanoğlu S. Charcoal-containing toothpastes. Gulhane Med J. 2022;64(4). 295-300. doi.10.4274/gulhane.galenos.2021.43153   

2. Dionysopoulos D, Papageorgiou S, Malletzidou L, Gerasimidou O, Tolidis K. Effect of novel charcoal-containing whitening toothpaste and mouthwash on color change and surface morphology of enamel. J Conserv Dent. 2021;23(6):624. doi:10.4103/jcd.jcd_570_20   

3. Galouyak M, Ghajari M, Shamsaei M, Basandeh K. Abrasiveness and whitening effect of charcoal-containing whitening toothpastes in permanent teeth. Dent Res J. 2021;18(1):51. doi:10.4103/1735-3327.321862   

4. Koc Vural U, Bagdatli Z, Yilmaz AE, Yalçın Çakır F, Altundaşar E,Gurgan S. Effects of charcoal-based whitening toothpastes on human enamel in terms of color, surface roughness, and microhardness: an in vitro study. Clin oral investig. 2021;25(10):5977-5985. doi:10.1007/s00784-021-03903-x

5. Tomás DB, Pecci-Lloret MP, Guerrero-Gironés J. (2023). Effectiveness and abrasiveness of activated charcoal as a whitening agent: a systematic review of in vitro studies. Annals of Anatomy–Anatomischer Anzeiger. 2023;245(1):151998. doi:10.1016/j.aanat.2022.151998

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