Why are we saying NO to Activated Charcoal?

In this new world of ours, we are inundated with thousands of ways to do the thing we never knew how to. It’s no longer about how we do it but what we choose to do it with.Choosing a car? Deciding on a makeup look? Purchasing a new television? Your options are endless.

Teeth whitening has quickly become a staple in beauty routines across the globe and our social platforms have flooded us with countless variations to the practice. With activated charcoal standing out on shelves and online, why are we saying no? 

Activated Charcoal is a finely grained black powder derived from coal, coconut shells and even peat, that once placed under extreme heat becomes activated. So how is a black powder promising a gleaming white smile? It’s been said that the ability of activated charcoal to bind and trap toxins works to lift stains off the teeth and therefore whitening your smile. The downside is the stains on your teeth are not toxins making it an unsuccessful way to whiten your teeth. 

Furthermore, the structure of activated charcoal is such that it is abrasive enough to wear down tooth structure known as enamel. This is the outer most part of the tooth itself. Once worn down, you will have less structure of the whitest part of your tooth and will begin to expose the more yellow layer that lies underneath known as dentine. This sounds like the complete opposite of the outcome we are trying to achieve.  Exposing the layer underneath can lead to further complications like sensitivity.

There is currently insufficient evidence to conclude that activated charcoal is a successful method to teeth whitening. The current evidence suggests that the use of activated charcoal may be doing more harm than good and for now activated charcoal is a no for us.