Charcoal is everywhere these days. You will find charcoal in dental products, beauty products and even foods, such as bread and smoothies.
Many charcoal products use marketing strategies that are attractive to consumers, using wholesome words such as ‘natural’, ‘eco-friendly’, ‘organic’ and ‘herbal’.
I regularly have patients or even family members and friends ask about charcoal dentifrices.
British Dental Journal (BDJ) May 2019:
1) Most charcoal toothpastes do not contain fluoride and of the ones that do, consumers may still remain at risk of decay due to the absorptive capacity of activated charcoal.
2) Many charcoal-based dentifrices make claims of low abrasiveness; to date, these claims have not been verified.
3) ‘Possible health risks exist’ considered to be related to the inclusion of carcinogenic hydrocarbons in charcoal and the use of bentonite clay.
4) Accumulation of charcoal particles in the gums of patients with gum disease can occur. This could result in grey/black discolouration of the tissues.
Should you be asking questions about these products is reason to be seeing a dentist.
