Charcoal toothpaste might actually be bad for your teeth, according to dentists

Though 96% claimed to whiten teeth, the review found that actually, the charcoal-based pastes or powders contain an insufficient amount of free radical bleaching agent for them to have any whitening or stain-removing effect.

Alongside these debunked claims, it was also found that charcoal toothpastes may even be harmful, due to possibly having chemicals that naturally occur in coal; crude oil and gasoline.

Dr Linda Greenwall, lead author of the study and member of the British Dental Bleaching Society, who conducted the research, says it’s important that the toothpaste you’re using contains calcium, fluoride and phosphate – because these are all needed to strengthen the enamel.

She said: ‘Not all charcoal toothpastes are the same and some could potentially be causing lasting damage to a person’s teeth.

‘Toothpastes should contain fluoride to have additional health benefits for the teeth.

The most worrying aspect about the marketing of charcoal pastes and powders appears to be a strong emphasis on the benefits which appeal to consumers, which have yet to be disproved.

‘This ‘scientifically claimed until proved wrong’ approach is favoured over substantiated, evidence-based promotion.’

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