Activated Charcoal Toothpaste Benefits
Activated charcoal is a health and wellness fad that has been around for a while now. It’s most distinguishable characteristic is that products containing the ingredient turn completely black.
Black toothpaste certainly looks different than toothpaste we are used to. But it turns out that there are benefits to using activated charcoal toothpaste.
What is Activated Charcoal?
Activated charcoal is a fine, black powder than has been used since ancient times for various purposes. It is both flavorless and odorless, and today is often used to treat the effects of poisoning and medication overdose.
Aside from that, activated charcoal is also a key ingredient in many health and wellness products. It can be found in supplements, water filtration systems, skin cleansers, shampoo, toothpaste, and even food.
Not to be confused with charcoal briquettes used for barbecuing, activated charcoal is often made from wood or coconut shells treated with oxygen at very high temperatures. This process makes it more porous and expands it’s surface area.
When activated charcoal is taken, toxins in the body bind to it, helping the body to get rid of unwanted substances through a process called adsorption. The toxins then get trapped in the gut and eliminated, instead of being absorbed into the body.
Activated Charcoal Toothpaste Benefits
So why is activated charcoal used in toothpaste? It turns out that activated charcoal has 2 major benefits for the teeth and mouth as well.
- Remove surface stains and whiten teeth. Activated charcoal is mildly abrasive, which helps to remove stains when brushing. Also, it’s absorbent nature can also help to absorb stains on the teeth.
- Freshen breath. Activated charcoal attracts and absorbs food particles, plaque, and bacteria, helping to give you fresh breath.
Activated Charcoal Toothpaste Risks
Of course, using activated charcoal toothpaste has it’s risks as well, especially if not used as directed.
- Overuse of activated charcoal toothpaste can result in dental erosion, due to it’s abrasive nature. Therefore, it should not be used daily.
- Activated charcoal toothpaste usually does not contain fluoride. Fluoride toothpaste is recommended by dentists because it protects and strengthens tooth enamel.
- Overuse of charcoal toothpaste may actually cause stains. If charcoal particles build up in cracks and crevices of teeth, it can make the tooth have a grayish appearance.
Is Activated Charcoal Toothpaste Safe?
With those benefits and risks in mind, is activated charcoal toothpaste safe? Yes, it is safe to use, as activated charcoal is non-toxic and is not associated with any serious side effects. However, due to it’s abrasive nature and lack of fluoride, it is best not to use it daily. Instead, use charcoal toothpaste 2-3 times a week, and alternate with regular fluoridated toothpaste on the other days.
It’s also important to choose a high quality activated charcoal toothpaste, preferably one made in the USA with FDA approved ingredients. It is also recommended to choose a charcoal toothpaste that is made from coconut shells, rather than wood ash.
Recommended Activated Charcoal Toothpaste
- Formula contains activated coconut charcoal. This gentle purifier helps to polish and whiten teeth so you can get that sparkling smile without abrasive additives
- Targeted Oral Probiotics: Dental-Lac, made from L. paracasei supports the growth of beneficial bacteria in the oral microbiome.
- Formulated For Your Needs: Xylitol pulls double duty in this toothpaste. It targets the undesirable bacteria on your teeth and gums while leaving the good guys intact.
I personally like Hyperbiotics Charcoal Probiotic Toothpaste because it combines the benefits of activated charcoal and targeted oral probiotic supplements. It is also made in the USA under the strictest quality control, using activated coconut charcoal.
Benefits of Hyperbiotics Charcoal Probiotic Toothpaste include:
- Targeted Oral Probiotics. Dental-Lac (made from L. paracasei) supports the growth of beneficial bacteria in the oral microbiome and helps crowd out S. mutans, the main culprit behind bad breath and poor oral hygiene.
- Great-Tasting Protection for Teeth and Gums. Xylitol pulls double duty in this toothpaste: besides giving it a slightly sweet flavor, it targets the undesirable bacteria on your teeth and gums while leaving the good guys intact.
- Safe Enough to Eat. This toothpaste is free of glycerin, fluoride, SLS, foaming agents, harsh detergents, and artificial coloring. And it’s vegetarian, non-GMO, and free of lactose, gluten, yeast, soy, sugar, iron, and nuts.
Summary
Activated charcoal is made from wood or coconut shells treated with oxygen at very high temperatures. It becomes a powder that is used in many health and wellness products. The main activated charcoal toothpaste benefits are teeth whitening and breath freshening.