How Safe and Effective is Activated Charcoal for Teeth Whitening?

By now, you’ve probably heard about activated charcoal teeth whitening products, and you’ve likely even seen them when you go to buy toothpaste at the grocery store. It seems weird using this old product to give you a brighter, whiter smile, but everyone is wondering if it really does work. Luckily, our dentist near you can give you the breakdown.

The Activated Charcoal Craze

The moment that activated charcoal started trending on Twitter, we all started seeing it line the shelves of every beauty and health aisle at every store. You may have noticed that none of the packagings for these whitening products has a dentist-approved seal.

Activated charcoal is a spongy material that soaks up impurities, which is why it is most often used for water filtration and in hospitals to treat poisoning. Recently, it has popped up in the health and beauty industry in air purifiers and skin cleansing products.

With more and more people seeking teeth whitening in South Edmonton, charcoal teeth whitening products have been flying off the shelves. The popularity of these products has been enhanced by the endorsement of beauty bloggers and YouTubers. As a natural teeth whitener, it offers an organic option for those looking to avoid some of the harsh chemicals you find in other whitening products.

What Do Dentists Think?

Even though activated charcoal does have some whitening effects, dentists are hesitant to endorse it because of its abrasive nature. If you choose to use activated charcoal as a long-term substitute for other teeth whitening products, it can cause serious damage such as tooth decay and damage to your enamel.

Dentists have yet to give activated charcoal their seal of approval because of the lack of long-term studies. Without adequate knowledge of whether activated charcoal is effective or safe, it is best to visit your dental clinic in South Edmonton for information about professional teeth whitening near you before resorting to activated charcoal.

How Does Activated Charcoal Compare to Toothpaste?

You may have noticed that people have been choosing to use activated charcoal as an alternative to toothpaste. This is because many people believe that activated charcoal has detoxifying qualities. While activated charcoal can help remove plaque and food particles from your teeth, it does not have any detoxifying qualities that will benefit your oral health.

Toothpaste is just as effective as activated charcoal when it comes to removing bacteria and plaque from your teeth and gums. Furthermore, most whitening toothpastes are safer to use and don’t have the same abrasive effects as activated charcoal. While whitening toothpaste can whiten your teeth by a couple of shades, they won’t have as drastic an effect on your teeth as activated charcoal.

Speak to Your Dentist

When it comes to whitening your teeth, the best and safest way to go about it is to speak to your dentist about professional teeth whitening options and dentist-approved whitening products. When done right, teeth whitening can be very effective and safe, but teeth whitening can cause permanent damage to your teeth when approached in the wrong way. At Legacy Dental Clinic, we offer options for professional in-office and at-home teeth whitening to our patients so that they can enjoy the benefits of a brighter, more radiant smile. If you are interested in learning more about our options for teeth whitening, contact our clinic to book a consultation today!