The Story Behind Activated Charcoal Toothpaste And If It Actually Works

If you have scrolled through Pinterest or Instagram lately, chances are you have stumbled upon the hot new trend of the beauty world: charcoal. From face masks to toothpastes, it seems like every beauty product on the market is finding a way to go black. If you aren’t so sure about trying out the trend, however, keep reading for the real story behind activated charcoal toothpaste and if it actually works.

What is activated charcoal?

Activated charcoal is not the stuff you use to light your barbecue, but it isn’t all that off base. Charcoal will only become activated once high temperatures – along with either a gas or activating agent – are applied. This causes the charcoal’s surface area to expand, making it extremely porous. Basically, activated charcoal will attract unwanted materials like a magnet. (For the full science-y breakdown, check out what dental hygienists Patti DiGangi and Just Zack Bendit have to say here.)

What is activated charcoal toothpaste?

The idea of activated charcoal toothpaste is that if used as directed, it will whiten your teeth. Since activated charcoal is known for its cleaning properties, some swear by this toothpaste.

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Is it safe?

To make a long story short: it depends. Not all activated charcoal toothpastes are created equal. Some brands have extra fillers that could be unsafe, and some may be downright too rough on your teeth. Think twice before giving activated charcoal toothpastes a try, since they could actually wear down some of your enamel. (Which you definitely don’t want.)

Does it work?

Whether or not this toothpaste works is still up for debate. Some people absolutely swear by it, but they may just be brushing extra hard to get those results. While activated charcoal sounds like a dream in theory, not everyone gets results, so definitely do your research on which brand you would like to try.

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Should you use it?

If you are going to try out activated charcoal toothpaste, try to get one that has fluoride in it, as well. And definitely only use it as a supplement to your daily brushing routine – not your full-time toothpaste – since its only intended use is to whiten your teeth. Here are two we like:

Have you tried out an activated charcoal toothpaste? Tell us in the comments below!

featured image source: weheartit.com

*This is a sponsored post. All opinions are my own.