Dental News - Dentists discourage the use of charcoal toothpaste

Dental Tribune International

Wed. 22. May 2019

save

LONDON/MANCHESTER, UK: From face masks to burger buns, charcoal, the latest health trend, can be found in all kinds of products. This also applies to oral hygiene products: black toothpastes with charcoal are advertised as being able to remove stains and whiten teeth. However, in a recent study, a group of British dentists advised against the use of charcoal toothpaste, arguing that it could actually have negative effects on oral health.

The dentists studied 50 different kinds of charcoal toothpaste and found only 8 per cent of them contained fluoride, which indicated that they offered very limited protection from dental caries. As many as 96 per cent of the products claimed to have tooth whitening properties; however, they did not contain enough free radical bleaching agent for this purpose. Furthermore, charcoal-based materials are often abrasive, which could damage the enamel and the gingivae.

The popularity of charcoal toothpastes is believed to be increasing in many countries across the world, including the UK, the US, Japan, India, Thailand, Lithuania, Australia, Hong Kong, China, South Korea and Switzerland, where charcoal-based toothpastes have been reported to be produced. It is understood that many patients ask members of their dental team for advice on the use and benefits of charcoal toothpastes and powders, and that the advice given is often empirical. Therefore, dentists should make sure to inform their patients about the current trend and advise them to use other toothpastes.

“When used too often in people with fillings, it can get into them and become difficult to get out,” said co-author Dr Joseph Greenwall-Cohen from the University of Manchester Dental School in conversation with the BBC. “Charcoal particles can also get caught up in the gums and irritate them.”

Prof. Damien Walmsley, the British Dental Association’s scientific adviser, told the BBC: “Charcoal-based toothpastes offer no silver bullets for anyone seeking a perfect smile, and come with real risks attached.” He added, “So don’t believe the hype. Anyone concerned about staining or discoloured teeth that can’t be shifted by a change in diet, or improvements to their oral hygiene, should see their dentist.”

The study, titled “Charcoal-containing dentifrices”, was published online on 10 May 2019 in the British Dental Journal.

To post a reply please login or register

Benefits and safety of charcoal dentifrices investigated

BALTIMORE, U.S.: With promises of whiter and cleaner teeth, charcoal-based oral hygiene products have enjoyed a boost in popularity in recent times, with ...

Study finds US kids use more toothpaste than recommended

ATLANTA, U.S.: When it comes to oral health, creating good habits in children can have lasting positive impacts later in life, however as with most things, ...

The indispensable use of CBCT in the posterior mandible

The submandibular fossa (SF) is an important anatomic landmark of the mandible, where the submandibular gland resides. During dental practise, particular ...

The rationale and use of electronic apex locators

Electronic apex locators (EALs) are my best friend when performing a root canal. Of all the devices I use in practice, my RootZX-mini (Fig. 1) is the most ...

Radicular transplantation—The use of dental roots in the treatment of bone insufficiency

Treating bone insufficiency is a familiar challenge for all implant practitioners. Such insufficiency can compromise the placement of an implant, its ...

Norwegian and Finnish dentists’ current use and knowledge of stainless steel crowns

OSLO, Norway/HELSINKI, Finland: Stainless steel crowns are recommended for restorative treatment in young patients with teeth severely affected by caries, ...

The use of inexpensive 3D printers to provide in-office solutions for immediate temporary restorations on implants

The use of 3D printers is rapidly gaining interest across the world. 3D printing is threatening to replace traditional subtractive CAD/CAM methods in ...

Use of 3D technology in the diagnosis and treatment of endodontic disease

In recent years, the technology associated with endodontic therapy has undergone a veritable revolution. For years, intraoral radiographs were used as the ...

Rising treatment costs in New Zealand causing mass avoidance of the dentist’s chair

WELLINGTON, New Zealand: The findings from a national survey of dental fees in 2023 has highlighted a concerning trend in the accessibility of dental care ...