Premier Dental Care |337 Hancock StGallatinTN37066 | (615) 452-1292
Premier Dental Care
337 Hancock St
GallatinTN 37066
 (615) 452-1292
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The Charcoal Fad: Is It Effective and Safe?

The Charcoal Fad: Is It Effective and Safe?

Although it may seem like charcoal toothpaste is a fad, people have been using it for thousands of years. Ancient Romans used charcoal, tree bark, and other natural substances to try to keep their teeth clean long before the invention of toothpaste. In more modern times, a homemaker’s guide in England included a recipe to make charcoal toothpaste in the 19th century.

What are the Benefits of Charcoal Toothpaste and How Does It Work?

In addition to removing food particles, plaque and bacteria from the teeth, manufacturers of charcoal toothpaste claim that it whitens teeth, freshens breath and contains anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-viral properties as well.

Activated charcoal is a medical property that occurs by heating charcoal near the presence of natural gas. This gives it a porous texture. Once charcoal has undergone activation, it can trap and absorb toxic chemicals. This is the reason that medical professionals use it to treat an active poisoning. As toothpaste, activated charcoal traps and absorbs plaque and bacteria in the mouth.

Activated charcoal is a medical property that occurs by heating charcoal near the presence of natural gas. This gives it a porous texture. Once charcoal has undergone activation, it can trap and absorb toxic chemicals.

Are There Safety Concerns with Using Charcoal Toothpaste?

Activated charcoal is completely safe for most adults to use on a short-term basis. However, you should be aware that it can cause black, tarry stools or constipation if you use it for a long time. Some very rare, serious side effects of activated charcoal include blocking or slowing of the intestinal tract, dehydration, and vomit traveling to the lungs.

It’s important for pregnant women and those who are breastfeeding to exercise caution when using charcoal toothpaste. Your doctor or dentist is the best one to advise you on whether you should temporarily discontinue the practice.

Using Activated Charcoal to Whiten Your Teeth

You may have heard that rubbing charcoal against your teeth can help to whiten them. Before you proceed with this, we want to caution you not to scrub too hard as the natural abrasiveness of the mineral can damage the enamel of your teeth. You should avoid using charcoal if you currently have open abrasions, cuts or wounds inside of your mouth. To complete this procedure, you need to buy a charcoal tablet from a drugstore, grind it into a paste and then apply it to your teeth.

Professional teeth whitening often makes a better option than trying to whiten your teeth using charcoal. At Premier Dental Care, we offer an in-office procedure that takes just 30 to 60 minutes to complete. You could walk out of our office with dramatically whiter teeth than you had before the appointment. Although you may need several sessions for the best results, you will notice a difference after just one time.

Have questions or concerns about charcoal toothpaste? Contact us!

In-office teeth whitening is just one of the many services we offer at Premier Dental. Please contact us at 615-452-1292 to learn more about what we can do for you.