Charcoal toothpaste is the most visible use of activated charcoal, and it is the 1 use where the evidence is actively negative. Here 2 dental reviews reached the same place.
It whitens less than alternatives and abrades more. Of 13 studies on brushing with raw charcoal, 0 met the inclusion criteria of a dental review.
Quick Answer: Is Activated Charcoal Good for Teeth?
No, and this is stronger than unproven. A 2023 systematic review of in vitro studies concluded charcoal toothpastes have a lower whitening effect than alternatives and can be considered less safe because of high abrasive potential. A 2017 dental review found 3 studies reporting harms including increased caries and enamel abrasion.
Key Takeaways
- A 2023 review of 11 in vitro studies found lower whitening than alternatives.
- Most of those 11 studies agreed the abrasive potential is higher.
- In a 2017 dental review, 13 raw-charcoal studies met 0 inclusion criteria.
- That review found 3 studies reporting harms including enamel abrasion.
- In that 2017 review, 1 in 3 charcoal dentifrices contained bentonite clay.
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What the 2023 Review Concluded
This is the most recent systematic look, and its conclusion is unusually direct for a review.
- Screened: 208 articles, with 11 meeting inclusion criteria.
- Risk of bias: Assessed as medium to high.
- Whitening: Varied, and often not the most whitening option.
- Abrasion: Most studies agreed the abrasive potential is higher.
The authors concluded charcoal toothpastes have a lower whitening effect than alternatives and can be considered less safe because of that abrasiveness.[1]Effectiveness and abrasiveness of activated charcoal as a whitening agent: A systematic review of in vitro studies — Annals of Anatomy (2023) View source These were in vitro studies, which is a real limitation and does not rescue the whitening claim. What charcoal is and is not is covered in the full activated charcoal guide.
What the Dental Association Review Found
An earlier review in a dental journal looked at the wider literature and at what was being advertised, and the second half is as revealing as the first.
| What was examined | Finding |
|---|---|
| Potentially eligible articles | 118 identified |
| Studies on brushing with raw charcoal or soot | 13, of which 0 met inclusion criteria |
| Studies reporting deleterious outcomes | 3, including increased caries and enamel abrasion |
| Studies suggesting caries reduction | 2, and nonspecific |
| Charcoal dentifrices containing bentonite clay | One-third of those reviewed |
The same review noted that internet advertising carried unsubstantiated therapeutic claims, including antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral and oral detoxification.[2]Charcoal and charcoal-based dentifrices: A literature review — The Journal of the American Dental Association (2017) View source
Why Abrasion Matters More Than It Sounds
Whitening claims are cosmetic. Abrasion is structural, and that asymmetry is the reason to take this seriously.
- Enamel does not regrow: Once worn, it stays worn.
- Thinner enamel: Exposes the yellower dentine underneath.
- The irony: Long-term abrasion can make teeth look more yellow.
- Sensitivity: A common consequence of enamel wear.
An abrasive that makes teeth look yellower over years while promising the opposite is the sharpest example of the pattern this whole cocoon is about, described in the detox claim page.
What Actually Whitens Teeth
The honest alternatives are unexciting and they work.
| Option | What it does |
|---|---|
| Professional whitening | Peroxide-based, supervised, most effective |
| Over-the-counter peroxide strips | Milder version of the same chemistry |
| Regular hygienist cleaning | Removes staining rather than bleaching |
| Reducing coffee, tea, red wine and tobacco | Prevents new staining |
| Charcoal toothpaste | Less whitening, more abrasion |
Swallowing charcoal and brushing with it are different questions. The swallowed version has its own cautions, and they are listed in what charcoal interacts with.
What We Sell and What We Do Not
We stock activated charcoal capsules and we do not sell charcoal toothpaste, which given the above is a deliberate decision rather than a gap.
- Capsules: 1000 mg, for occasional internal use.
- Not toothpaste: The dental evidence points the wrong way.
- Not a whitener: We make 0 whitening claims.
- Honest limits: Stated on every page of this cocoon.
Even for internal use the evidence is thinner than people assume, with 469 of the studies in the largest review, or 83%, rated Low or Very Low quality.[3]Systematic review on the use of activated charcoal for gastrointestinal decontamination following acute oral overdose — Clinical Toxicology (2021) View source If you want the capsule for the 1 reason it has evidence, a 1000 mg bottle is what that looks like.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is activated charcoal actually good for teeth? +
No. A 2023 review of 11 in vitro studies found lower whitening than alternatives and higher abrasive potential, concluding it is less safe.
Can charcoal remove yellow teeth? +
It can remove some surface staining by abrasion. Over 1 to 2 years that same abrasion thins enamel and exposes the yellower dentine underneath.
How long does it take to whiten teeth with activated charcoal? +
The 2023 review found it was often not the most whitening option at all, so the honest answer is that 1 clear timeline does not exist.
Does charcoal toothpaste damage enamel? +
Most of the studies in the 2023 review agreed the abrasive potential is higher than alternatives. Enamel does not regrow once it is worn.
Why was activated charcoal banned? +
It was not banned as a supplement. The reference is to restrictions on activated charcoal as a food colouring, which is 1 regulatory question about dye rather than about safety.
What did dentists actually find? +
In a 2017 review of 118 articles, 13 studies on brushing with raw charcoal met 0 inclusion criteria, and 3 studies reported harms including enamel abrasion.
Does charcoal toothpaste contain fluoride? +
Many do not, which is a second problem alongside abrasion. Check the label, since fluoride is the 1 ingredient with the strongest caries evidence.
Why is bentonite clay in charcoal toothpaste? +
As a thickener and mild abrasive. One-third of the charcoal dentifrices in the 2017 review contained it, which most buyers would not expect.
Does it kill bacteria in the mouth? +
Antibacterial claims were among the unsubstantiated advertising the 2017 review flagged. There are 0 controlled human trials supporting them.
What should I use instead? +
Professional whitening or peroxide strips for colour, and a fluoride toothpaste plus regular cleaning for the other 2 goals.
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