Does Charcoal Toothpaste Actually Whiten Your Teeth?
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If you think the only place you’ll come across charcoal is at a barbecue, you’re a little bit behind the times. Activated charcoal, which is different to the BBQ stuff, is now a popular and integral part of many people’s beauty routine, with face masks, soap bars, cleansers and numerous other products utilizing this ancient and on-trend ingredient. It’s even used in emergency rooms for poisoning and sold over the counter as a digestive aid. However, one of the most exciting advances is its use in the best charcoal toothpaste.
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While the idea of using charcoal to brush your teeth may sound a little bit unusual, the chances are your prefered toothpaste brand does produce a charcoal-containing option — and for good reason. From promises which include removing stubborn surface stains to restoring your teeth’s natural whiteness, it’s easy to see why plenty of people are touting activated charcoal as a worthwhile toothpaste ingredient. So naturally (ahem), we decided it was time to dig in and give this new phenomenon a closer look.
Does Charcoal Toothpaste Work?
The charcoal used in the best charcoal toothpastes is different to the stuff you fill the grill with to cook weenies — BBQ charcoal is basically just burnt wood. On the other hand, activated charcoal is made up of small pieces of carbon with an exceptionally porous surface. And it’s these pores which make the best charcoal toothpaste mildly abrasive and so effective as they are able to absorb and sweep away problematic particles from the surface of your teeth. This includes plaque, tartar, leftover food and other potential stain-causing debris.
By including charcoal in their makeup, charcoal toothpaste offers a natural alternative which allows you to ditch other harmful whitening products. In addition, charcoal toothpaste gives you an easy way to combine cleaning and whitening your teeth into a single, all-encompassing process.
Do Dentists Recommend Charcoal Toothpaste?
The most common questions which accompany the best charcoal toothpastes include “does charcoal toothpaste damage enamel?” and “is it ok to use charcoal toothpaste everyday?” Perhaps the first thing to understand is that, like many other toothpastes, it is possible to overuse charcoal-containing toothpaste. Because of its mildly abrasive nature, too much brushing may damage the enamel on your teeth. But, in moderation, it’s possible that this abrasion is effective at removing surface stains from your teeth.
Additionally, as a lot of charcoal toothpastes do not include fluoride, they don’t offer the same enamel-strengthening and decay-fighting benefits as the best fluoride toothpastes. Ultimately, as the best charcoal toothpaste is designed to whiten your teeth over strengthening them, developing a regimen which uses a charcoal toothpaste alongside your usual fluoride-containing toothpaste may offer the most effective outcome.
In addition, it’s important to manage your expectations. It’s unlikely that a whitening toothpaste, such as the best charcoal toothpaste, is going to deliver the same results as quickly as some of the best teeth whitening products. Think of this as a more natural alternative to these harsher products, and look for results over time, not overnight.
Below you’ll find our top picks for the best charcoal-containing toothpastes to order online, in addition to a selection of alternative charcoal-containing powders and other products. Pick the product which will work for you and start your journey towards the whiter smile you’ve always wanted.
BEST OVERALL
1. Crest Charcoal 3D White Toothpaste
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With more than 16,000 five-star ratings from Amazon customers alongside the trusted Crest name, it’s easy to see why this Crest Charcoal 3D White Toothpaste sits top of the pile. The unique, black-and-white striped toothpaste contains fluoride and charcoal powder to remove surface stains, strengthen enamel and gently whiten teeth. Plus, the paste’s invigorating mint flavor delivers a cooling sensation to leave your mouth feeling and smelling fresh for the day or night ahead.
BEST ANTIPLAQUE
2. Himalaya Whitening Antiplaque Toothpaste
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This Himalaya Whitening Antiplaque Toothpaste brings powerful whitening and effective anti-plaque action to your daily brushing. After brushing, your mouth will feel fresher and your smile will be brighter. Its charcoal and black seed oil-containing formula is also free from gluten, SLS and fluoride. The vegan-friendly toothpaste also tastes pleasant in your mouth and produces a handy amount of foam during brushes to help ensure maximum coverage. Additionally, this popular paste is also available in bamboo or turmeric flavors.
MOST POPULAR
3. Colgate Charcoal Teeth Whitening Toothpaste
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This Colgate Charcoal Teeth Whitening Toothpaste is a tried-and-tested way to achieve a whiter smile. Given its backing of more than 7,000 five-star ratings from Amazon customers, you can be confident this whitening and freshening toothpaste will work for you, too. The toothpaste is safe for daily use and contains several micro-polishers which work to remove stains and impurities from your teeth. Its cooling mint flavor also ensures your mouth feels clean and smells fresh after every use. Furthermore, the enamel-safe formula includes fluoride which fights against cavities and strengthens teeth enamel.
BEST MULTI-PIECE SET
4. Dental Expert Activated Charcoal Toothpaste
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The Dental Expert Activated Charcoal Toothpaste includes everything you need to give your mouth a complete cleaning treatment. The toothpaste and toothbrush take care of your teeth while the tongue cleaner lets you remove build-ups from the inside of your mouth and tongue. The coconut-oil toothpaste strengthens your enamel and freshens your breath with its minty flavor. It’s also 100% natural and made from bamboo charcoal and a number of other natural ingredients, meaning the toothpaste is free from artificial colorings and other harmful chemicals. In addition, this set has the backing of more than 11,500 five-star ratings from Amazon customers.
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5. Bite Mint Charcoal Toothpaste Bits
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Brushing your teeth with a tablet-shaped “bit?” We were onto these a couple of years ago, and we still love everything the Bite Mint Charcoal Toothpaste Bits have to offer. They’re easy to use: Just bite down, wet your toothbrush and the bit starts foaming up almost as soon as you begin brushing. We love the all-natural ingredients and the unique, eco-friendly glass bottles they are supplied in — a much more environmentally-friendly option when compared to the landfill-bound plastic tubes the majority of toothpaste comes in.
MOST SUSTAINABLE
6. Tom's of Maine Activated Charcoal Whitening Toothpaste
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Tom’s of Maine Charcoal Fluoride Free Toothpaste gently whitens teeth using a formula which is free from artificial colors, flavors, fragrances and preservatives. It’s safe for use on teeth enamel and for everyday use. It also comes in a peppermint flavor which tastes great and leaves your breath smelling fresh. In addition, Tom’s of Maine products are cruelty-free, strive to use only sustainable practices during production and donate a percentage from every sale to support human and environmental projects.
BEST BLACK TOOTHPASTE
7. Cali White Activated Charcoal Toothpaste
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An all-black mouth may look a little bit unsettling during your daily brushing, but the Cali White Activated Charcoal Toothpaste effectively restores your teeth’s naturally white appearance. The formula is made from seven cruelty-free and vegan-friendly ingredients to deliver a brushing experience which is kind on your teeth’s enamel. You’ll also find the antiseptic and remineralizing properties of the ingredients fight against bad breath and leave your mouth smelling minty fresh after every brushing.
PLANT-BASED PICK
8. Schmidt’s Activated Charcoal Toothpaste
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Schmidt’s Activated Charcoal Toothpaste doesn’t just whiten and gently polish your teeth, it freshens breath and tastes good while you brush. The vegan-friendly and cruelty-free formula includes a mixture of vitamins, botanical extracts, wondermint, activated charcoal and other plant-based ingredients. It’s also evidence for anyone who believes charcoal toothpaste is bougie and expensive, as a six-pack of this well-reviewed product can be yours for under $30.
PEPPERMINT PICK
9. PearlBar Natural Whitening Toothpaste
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The PearlBar Natural Whitening Toothpaste is a daily-use toothpaste which uses high-quality activated charcoal, bentonite clay, baking soda and coconut and tea-tree oils to deliver cleaner and noticeably whiter teeth. The USA-made toothpaste, which is ethically produced and clinically tested in LA, California, is also organic, vegan-friendly and free from peroxides. Plus, 10% of every sale of this enamel-strengthening toothpaste is donated to charity.
ECO-FRIENDLY PICK
10. Davids Natural Charcoal Toothpaste
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Davids Natural Charcoal Toothpaste is peppermint flavored and made from clean and safe ingredients. It’s produced by a California-based company who aim to put a smile on their customer’s faces, not just because charcoal toothpaste leaves your teeth white and plaque-free, but also because of the recyclable metal tube the paste comes in, eliminating the plastic waste associated with other competing brands. In addition, the peppermint flavor ensures beautifully fresh breath, while the absence of fluoride, SLS, sulfates and other harmful ingredients make it a great choice for kids, too.
BEST FOR SENSITIVE TEETH
11. Hello Oral Care Whitening Toothpaste
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The people at Hello ensure the ingredients that go into Hello Oral Care Whitening Toothpaste are only of the highest quality. The charcoal in the paste comes from a sustainable bamboo source before being mixed with coconut oil to create the popular paste which naturally polishes your teeth and helps to remove plaque. You’ll also find the fresh mint flavor gives this toothpaste a pleasant taste. The paste is also free from peroxide, sweeteners, artificial flavors, parabens and other potentially harmful ingredients. Users also love that the USA-made toothpaste is vegan friendly and not tested on animals.
BEST FLUORIDE-FREE
12. Burt’s Bees Toothpaste Charcoal Fluoride-Free Toothpaste
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The Burt’s Bees Toothpaste Charcoal Toothpaste freshens breath, removes surface stains and deep cleans around your teeth. The fluoride-free formula works to bring back your teeth’s natural whiteness, while the included peppermint flavor cools and freshens the inside of your mouth and your breath. Burt’s Bees toothpaste is also made without SLS, parabens, sweeteners and plastic microbeads and comes supplied in recyclable packaging. Plus, if peppermint isn’t your jam, this toothpaste is available in a hemp seed oil mint flavor.
The Best Charcoal Powders for Teeth Whitening
In addition to the best charcoal toothpaste listed above, there are a number of other effective charcoal-based teeth whitening products worth considering. For instance, a charcoal powder for teeth whitening can allow you to harness the whitening power of charcoal without the requirement of giving up your regular, and sometimes more effective, fluoride toothpaste. Furthermore, charcoal whitening powder rarely leaves your gums feeling painful like many of the competing teeth whitening products.
BEST POWDER
1. Black Pearl Activated Charcoal Toothpaste
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The Black Pearl Activated Charcoal Toothpaste is an all-natural and organic product which uses activated coconut charcoal, peppermint essence, baking soda and California bentonite clay to provide an effective whitening treatment which can even make a difference after a single use. This USA-made, natural and non-toxic product is safe for use on enamel and comes in an easy to apply powder form. It helps to whiten, brighten and return your teeth to their natural color while also working to remove a wide range of stains, such as wine and coffee. Furthermore, the activated charcoal deodorizes your mouth to leave you with ultra-fresh breath. For the best results, use the powder three to four times a week alongside your existing toothpaste.
BEST FLAVORED POWDER
2. Active Coconut Charcoal Vanilla-Flavored Powder
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If you want to try a charcoal powder but want to avoid minty flavors, give this Active Coconut Charcoal Vanilla-Flavored Powder a try. It is made from the highest quality ingredients, including bentonite and organic coconut charcoal, and comes with the backing of more than 17,000 five-star ratings. Thanks to these ingredients, the USA-made powder is able to rebuild enamel, whiten teeth and remove stains. Handily, using the powder is simple, only requiring brushing and rinsing, just like a normal charcoal toothpaste.
BEST ORGANIC POWDER
3. Lagunamoon Activated Charcoal Teeth Whitening Powder
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If you’re looking for a way to breathe life back into your smile and remove stubborn stains at the same time, give this Lagunamoon Activated Charcoal Teeth Whitening Powder a try. The activated charcoal in the powder works to reduce and remove all kinds of stains, including ones left by coffee, tea, wine and cigarettes. The 100% organic powder also boasts mild abrasive properties, meaning it’s safe for use on enamel and leaves your teeth polished and whiter than before. Additionally, this popular powder comes with a sustainably-sourced bamboo toothbrush.
BEST GEL
4. Niusmile Teeth Whitening Kit
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This Niusmile Teeth Whitening Kit uses the power of charcoal and LED light to whiten your teeth. By exposing your teeth to a 10-minute treatment every day, you can whiten teeth by up to eight shades for a truly noticeable difference. This dentist-recommended kit includes a mint-flavored, teeth-whitening gel and Niusmile’s multi-patented 5X LED light to jumpstart the teeth whitening process. The teeth-whitening gel contains a powerful formula which includes activated charcoal, natural baking soda and organic coconut oil that won’t harm enamel but will noticeably whiten teeth.
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5. Smartlifeco Dental Floss Charcoal Thread Picks
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These Smartlifeco Dental Floss Charcoal Thread Picks are another option if you’re looking to introduce charcoal into your teeth-cleaning routine without sacrificing your existing toothpaste. Each biodegradable pick has a pointed handle made from straw wheat and a thread made from charcoal. This thread is ideal for removing food from in between your teeth and whitening them in the process. Furthermore, these eco-friendly toothpicks come in sustainable packaging and are both vegan-friendly and plastic-free.
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