The Best Charcoal Toothpaste

Buying Guide

Charcoal toothpaste has become a popular tool for teeth whitening in recent years. But there have been concerns about damage to tooth enamel. One study found only a few scratches to the enamel after 12 weeks of use, but you may want to proceed with caution.

The good news is, you don’t have to use charcoal toothpaste every day. It could be something you alternate with your regular toothpaste every few days or once a week. If you do opt for daily use, it’s important to look for a charcoal toothpaste with fluoride built in. There have not been enough studies to support claims that charcoal toothpaste is safe and effective, so the American Dental Association tells dental professionals to advise caution when using these products.

MORE: The Best Teeth Whitener

For that reason, toothpaste manufacturers have worked hard to create formulas that build in the benefits of charcoal while also lessening the damaging effects. There is something known as the Relative Dentin Abrasivity (RDA) scale that rates popular toothpaste brands based on their harshness. If you can find the RDA score for the charcoal toothpastes you’re considering, you can compare to that chart. An RDA below 100 is considered normal.

Charcoal toothpaste will look black while you’re brushing with it. The effect can be disconcerting at first, but it rinses away clean. Over time, you’ll get used to it. You can also find toothbrushes with charcoal bristles, but combining your charcoal toothpaste with charcoal bristles can up the abrasiveness.

Even if you’re only using your charcoal toothpaste as a weekly or occasional teeth-whitening solution, you’ll likely find that you want a pleasant experience. You can find charcoal toothpaste with mint flavoring that makes it taste and smell great. In some cases, that flavoring comes from natural ingredients if that’s important to you.

• When brushing with charcoal toothpaste, go gently. Brushing too aggressively can cause damage to your enamel.
• It’s best not to swallow charcoal toothpaste. Some will naturally be absorbed through your mouth’s membranes.
• Charcoal can reduce the absorption of drugs once it gets into your system. For that reason, you may not want to use charcoal toothpaste if you’re dependent on medications.
• Baking soda is a natural teeth whitener. If you’re looking for an alternative to charcoal toothpaste as an organic solution, consider baking soda. It’s less abrasive and doesn’t have the impact on medications that charcoal does.
• It’s important to check to ensure your charcoal toothpaste builds fluoride in. The American Dental Association recommends fluoride as effective in preventing cavities and tooth decay.
• Some charcoal toothpastes have an unpleasant taste. You can find some with flavorings that are designed to taste and smell great. If you’re concerned about chemicals, check to make sure artificial sweeteners aren’t used to create that flavoring, especially if the toothpaste bills itself as sugar-free.
• Look at the size of your charcoal toothpaste. If you only plan to use your toothpaste for weekly or monthly treatment, you’ll probably want to opt for a smaller format to avoid the tube drying out.
• Teeth can have crevices in addition to the cracks between each one. You might not notice charcoal debris being left behind after your brushing session, but that residue shouldn’t remain on your teeth for extended periods of time. Be sure to rinse your mouth thoroughly and check for leftover charcoal that could stain your teeth and negate any benefits you might be getting.
• If you’re regularly using charcoal toothpaste, be sure to check in with your dentist with each visit. Your dentist should be able to determine if the toothpaste is damaging the enamel.
• Teeth whitening is only part of good oral hygiene. You’ll also want to make sure you floss regularly. A tongue scraper can help cut down on mouth odors, as well.