We ♥︎ honesty! We may earn a commission through affiliate links on this page at no extra cost to you.
Activated charcoal is swiftly becoming an essential ingredient in the cosmetic industry for making several products, such as shampoos, conditioners, toiletries, skin moisturizers, and makeup, etc. Due to its growing popularity, many dental care companies are now using it to make charcoal toothpaste. And now, there are hundreds of different charcoal toothpaste products available in drugstores and online. our perfectly optimized content goes here!
In this post, we’ll share the top benefits of charcoal toothpaste, the factors to consider when choosing one, and our top picks in the market.
What is Charcoal Toothpaste, and What Does it Do?
Charcoal found in toothpaste is different from the one you use in barbeques. It’s made of natural materials, such as coconut shells, bamboo, wood, and peat. Due to its abrasive and porous nature, it can effectively absorb and trap toxic chemicals. It is an effective stain removal agent that has been used for hundreds of years to combat bad breath, whiten your teeth, and help prevent surface stains, etc. The particles in charcoal toothpastes act as micro polishers and help remove surface stains from your teeth. It both works as a teeth whitener and helps keep oral hygiene, comes especially handy if you are a coffee drinker or consume red wine regularly.
Benefits of Charcoal Toothpastes
Apart from cleaning your teeth, charcoal toothpaste offers many other benefits, such as:
- Antiviral and antifungal properties
- Bacteria absorption to improve breath
- Long-term stain prevention
- A DIY, cost-effective solution that helps you avoid regular dentist appointments
- Different brands use unique flavoring agents to improve the taste
- Most charcoal toothpastes contain baking soda and bentonite clay, which improves their consistency
The Risks of Using Charcoal Toothpaste
Consumers need to remember that charcoal toothpaste is not a replacement for regular toothpaste. It is a supplement that should not be used regularly. Here are some of the potential risks and drawbacks:
- Activated charcoal is highly abrasive which means that it can potentially damage tooth enamel
- It may not be suitable to use if you have veneers, bridges, or fillings, it’s best to consult your dentist
- It only removes stains from the teeth’ surface
Did you know that charcoal have other benefits? You can find out more by reading our guide on the benefits of bamboo charcoal.
If you have no time to read, here’s the summary:
Ranking | Image | Product | Link |
---|---|---|---|
Best overall | Hello Oral Care Activated Charcoal Teeth Whitening Fluoride Free & SLS Free Toothpaste 2 Pack with BPA Free Toothbrush | Check Price | |
Best taste | Cali White Activated Charcoal & Organic Coconut Oil Teeth Whitening Toothpaste, Made in USA, Natural Teeth Whitener, Vegan, Fluoride-Free, Sulfate-Free, Organic, Black Tooth Paste, Pacific Mint (4oz) | Check Price | |
Smoothest | Jagat Activated Charcoal Mint Toothpaste | Fluoride Free & SLS Free Herbal Toothpaste | 100% Natural Teeth Whitening, No Artificial Colors, BPA Free, Gum Cure, Vegan - Pack of 3 (3.5oz X 3) | Check Price |
What to Look for in a Charcoal Toothpaste
Before you head online and buy the first product you find, here are few things you need to consider so you buy the best charcoal toothpaste in terms of ingredients, cost, and performance:
1. Color
Since activated charcoal is black, you don’t have a lot of options to choose from, in terms of color. Charcoal toothpaste is only available in grey or black, which means they can be messy due to their soiled appearance.
2. Fluoride Or No Fluoride
Fluoride strengthens the teeth’ enamel layer and protects it from several oral issues, such as decay or gingivitis, etc. However, most charcoal toothpaste products do not contain fluoride which is not necessarily a negative thing but can make a difference, especially when it comes to your brushing habits.
3. Abrasiveness
Look for products with a minimal amount of abrasiveness. While charcoal toothpaste, in general, does a decent cleaning and stain removal job, it can cause tooth erosion due to its rough, grinding texture.
4. Brand
You’ll find many world-renowned brands to choose from when shopping for charcoal toothpaste, such as Colgate, Crest, Close Up, and Sensodyne, etc. Whichever brand you choose, you need to ensure that they have a seal of approval from a credible dental organization. This indicates that the product is not only effective but also safe for consumption.
The Best Charcoal Toothpaste in the Market – Our Top 5 Picks
To save your time, money, and research effort, we have compiled a list of our top 5 picks of the best charcoal toothpaste using the factors above. Let’s check them out:
1. Cali White Activated Charcoal and Organic Coconut Oil Toothpaste
Check PriceThe Cali White Activated Charcoal and Organic Coconut Oil Toothpaste is making headlines in the vegan market with its natural, fluoride-free ingredients. Not only does it restore your teeth’s naturally white appearance, but it’s also suitable for people with sensitive teeth and gum pain due to many antiseptic ingredients and minerals, such as coconut oil and baking soda. Cali White also added just the right amount of peppermint oil that will leave your mouth smelling minty fresh for hours.
Pros
- Made with certified organic coconut and peppermint oil
- Zero peroxide sensitivity
- Fluoride-free
- Suitable for kids as well
Cons
- Takes two weeks before you see visible results
- Some users complained about toothaches upon regular use (I did not use it for a long time, so cannot confirm)
2. Hello Oral Care Charcoal Toothpaste
Check PriceHello Oral Care Charcoal Toothpaste is among the most recommended stain removel products for sensitive teeth. The black toothpaste might look a bit messy and dirty, but the results are amazing. Instead of conventional ingredients such as bone char and petroleum-based charcoal, it’s made from sustainable bamboo which naturally eliminates bad breath, while effectively polishing your teeth. The paste is also vegan , hasn’t been tested on animals, and is free of artificial flavors, parabens, and peroxide.
Pros
- Free of alcohol, artificial flavors, dyes, microbeads, and gluten
- Certified Cruelty-free and vegan product
- Safe for everyday use
- Long-lasting minty breath
Cons
- Many users found the tube too small for its price tag
- Results take longer to take effect than advertised
3. Jagat 100% Natural Activated Charcoal Mint Toothpaste – Vegan
Check PriceIf you’re looking for a vegan charcoal agent with great flavor, look no further than the Jagat 100% Natural Activated Charcoal Mint Toothpaste. Essential ayurvedic ingredients include herbs like miswak, lavang, menthool, akarkara, etc, which all combine to give it a delicious, minty taste. The product is also free of artificial ingredients, such as fluoride, sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS), artificial colors and preservatives.
I found that it was relatively smooth for a charcoal toothpaste, if you are not used to charcoal, this one is what I recommend for ‘beginners’.
Pros
- Effectively kills harmful bacteria to offer superior gum protection
- Great for smokers and coffee drinkers
- Long-lasting fresh breath
- Fluoride-free
Cons
- The flavor is intensive, some find it too much
- Screw cap lid, makes it invonvenient
4. Dr Sheffield Certified All Natural Activated Charcoal Toothpaste
Check PriceThe Dr Sheffield Certified Activated Charcoal Toothpaste is a lesser known product, not reviewed by many people. I found the cleaning effect really powerful. The question is how abrasive the product is, which I could not really find out. This is why I would not recommend daily use. It’s still effective if you use it once a week or so.
The taste is OK, minty nothing special. The product is SLS and fluoride free, claimed to be all natural, so I believe this is a safe, toxin-free choice. Note that, all product pictures show 2 tubes, but you only get one.
Ohh… one more thing. It was especially hard to squeeze out the paste from the tube, so not for weak fingers…
Pros
- Strong cleaning effect
- Free of fluoride and artificial ingredients
Cons
- Hard to squeeze out of the tube
- May be a abrasive
5. My Magic Mud Activated Charcoal Toothpaste
Check PriceFor people with highly sensitive gums, we recommend the My Magic Mud Activated Charcoal toothpaste. This highly effective product contains bentonite clay, which rapidly absorbs stains and toxins. The combination of peppermint and coconut gives it a naturally appealing flavor.
This product very effective against morning breath for some reason and your mouth feels super clean. The texture is very runny, no foaming whatsoever. This means that you have to try to keep your mouth shut otherwise the bathroom will be a complete mess (do not experiment with giving it to children).
Pros
- Clinically tested and ADA-certified product
- Free of gluten, fluoride, sulfate, and peroxide
- Effectively reduces plaque buildup
- Certified cruelty-free and vegan
- Effective against morning breath
Cons
- Not suitable for children
- I found the texture too runny
There are plenty of other potentially toxic products in your bathroom, if you want to find out how to get rid of them, check out this article: Detox your bathroom in 7 simple steps
Frequently Asked Questions
The following are some frequently asked questions about charcoal toothpaste:
1. When to use charcoal toothpaste?
Charcoal toothpaste is too abrasive so it should only be used as a supplement to whiten teeth but not as regular toothpaste. Ideally, you should use it to brush your teeth no more than two or three times a week.
2. Can charcoal toothpaste damage tooth enamel?
Charcoal toothpaste has a rough and grinding texture, which can potentially damage tooth enamel on regular use. Since it doesn’t fight tooth decay like fluoride toothpaste, it can promote erosion and stains.
3. Are all charcoal toothpaste non-toxic?
No, not all charcoal toothpaste are non-toxic and contain harmful compounds, such as naphthalene, silicon dioxide, parabens, and petroleum coke. Hence, you should always opt for brands that do not use these ingredients.
4. What are the drawbacks of using charcoal toothpaste?
The main drawback of using charcoal toothpaste is its abrasive texture, which can wear down the enamel layer.
5. Does charcoal toothpaste whiten teeth?
Yes and no, charcoal toothpaste is advertised specifically to be whitening agents, however they remove stains – to a considerable degree – from the teeth’ surface only. If you use it regularly (not necessarily daily), consuming tea, coffee and other ‘colorants’ will not have a significant negative impact on your teeth’ color. [1]
6. Are there any side effects of charcoal toothpaste?
The main side effects of using charcoal toothpaste include damage to the enamel and increased sensitivity, so you need to be careful.
Final Verdict
Charcoal toothpaste is getting a lot of attention worldwide due to its effective cleaning potential. While all the products in our list are effective and recommended, we believe that the Hello Oral Care Charcoal Toothpaste stands out from the rest due to its minimal abrasiveness. In the second place, we pick the My Magic Mud Activated Charcoal toothpaste for regular smokers, caffeine consumers, and people with sensitive gums.
However, before you switch to any at-home dental products on the market, we recommend you speak to your dentist first.
Editor and researcher at Detox & Prosper. With years of experience creating a healthy home for my family, I now help others eliminate toxins from theirs! Read my story here.
Leave a Reply