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Home > Oral Care > DIY Activated Charcoal Toothpaste for Tooth Whitening

DIY Activated Charcoal Toothpaste for Tooth Whitening

December 7, 2022
4 min read
By Shiza Khan, M.Sc. – Clinical Nutrition & Dietetics | Dietitian/Nutritionist

In this article:

  • Activated Charcoal and Oral Health
  • How to Make Your Own Activated Charcoal Toothpaste
  • Precautions to Consider
  • Is This Toothpaste Harmful if Swallowed?
  • Final Word

Activated charcoal is a product obtained from burning natural materials, such as coconut husk, wooden branches, or coal, at very high temperatures and then treating them with oxygen to oxidize them. This process creates pores, making activated charcoal much more absorbent than regular charcoal.

diy activated charcoal toothpaste: benefits and how to prepare

Activated charcoal is used to treat poisoning through ingestion via the mouth. The World Health Organization recommends activated charcoal on its List of Essential Medicines due to its effectiveness as an antidote. (1)

It is also used to treat and manage severe to life-threatening intoxication or alcohol consumption. (1)

Activated Charcoal and Oral Health

One of the more common household uses of activated charcoal is for brushing teeth with its claims of teeth-whitening abilities. It is believed its porous texture can absorb debris and coloring agents from the tooth surface and whiten the teeth in the process. (2)

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However, toothpastes containing activated charcoal have been found to have less whitening ability than other kinds of toothpaste. Moreover, the activated charcoal powder is abrasive and can be harmful to the tooth enamel in the long run. (2)(3)

So why should you use activated charcoal as toothpaste?

Commercially available toothpastes containing activated charcoal have been found to have protective activities against gingivitis and caries. Furthermore, the abrasiveness of activated charcoal can remove surface stains from teeth. (4)

The good news is that you don’t have to spend a lot of money on activated charcoal toothpaste as you can simply make one at home with good-quality ingredients.

How to Make Your Own Activated Charcoal Toothpaste

how to prepare and use homemade activated charcoal toothpaste

Combine 1 tsp of activated charcoal powder, 1 tsp of baking soda, 1 tsp of coconut oil (add more if the consistency is too thick), and 1–2 drops of peppermint oil. You can scale this recipe and make a larger batch.

Baking soda is effective in cleaning the tooth of stains. Studies have also found toothpastes containing baking soda to be effective in reducing gum inflammation and plaque from teeth. (5)

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Coconut oil is used for a technique called oil pulling, where a tablespoon of oil is swished around in the mouth for 3–5 minutes. Coconut oil has antimicrobial activity against bacteria that can cause gum diseases and dental caries. It can also reduce mouth odors. (6)

Though brushing teeth does not have the same effect as oil pulling, the coconut oil is still moved around the mouth during brushing, thus still providing some beneficial effects.

Peppermint oil contains bioactive compounds such as menthol, which is useful in treating bad breath, is a potent antibacterial and antifungal, and can remove biofilms that may be causing drug resistance. (7)

Precautions to Consider

precautions to take prior using activated charcoal toothpaste
  • Since activated charcoal and baking soda are both abrasive, it is recommended that you do not use this toothpaste daily as it may damage the tooth enamel.
  • Make sure you use a soft-bristled brush and use gentle motions to reduce the abrasiveness.
  • If you have caps, crowns, or tooth fillers, consult your doctor before using this toothpaste.

Note: Please note that this article is only meant to educate and not endorse.

Is This Toothpaste Harmful if Swallowed?

The amount of homemade toothpaste you will use to brush is not going to be harmful since its ingredients are all natural. However, take care not to use more than a pea-sized amount to brush with.

Final Word

Making your own toothpaste can be cost effective and can also give you a sense of satisfaction knowing you are using good-quality natural ingredients.

Using the homemade activated charcoal toothpaste presented in this article may help remove surface stains to make your teeth clean and white.

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References
  1. Zellner T, Prasa D, Färber E, Hoffmann-Walbeck P, Genser D, Eyer F. The use of activated charcoal to treat intoxications. Deutsches Arzteblatt international. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6620762/. Published May 3, 2019.
  2. Ghajari MF, Shamsaei M, Basandeh K, Galouyak MS. Abrasiveness and whitening effect of charcoal-containing whitening toothpastes in permanent teeth. Dental research journal. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8404563/. Published July 19, 2021.
  3. J; TDBMP-LMPG-G. Effectiveness and abrasiveness of activated charcoal as a whitening agent: A systematic review of in vitro studies. Annals of anatomy = Anatomischer Anzeiger : official organ of the Anatomische Gesellschaft. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36183933/.
  4. Vaz VTP, Jubilato DP, Oliveira MRMde, et al. Whitening toothpaste containing activated charcoal, blue covarine, hydrogen peroxide or microbeads: Which one is the most effective? Journal of applied oral science: revista FOB. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6438662/.
  5. Ghassemi A; Hooper WJ; Vorwerk LM; Petrovicova E; Goyal CR; Qaqish K; Qaqish JG; Santos S; The effects of two baking-soda toothpastes in enhancing mechanical plaque removal and improving Gingival Health: A 6-month randomized clinical study. American journal of dentistry. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33017530/.
  6. Naseem M, Khiyani MF, Nauman H, Zafar MS, Shah AH, Khalil HS. Oil pulling and importance of traditional medicine in oral health maintenance. International journal of health sciences. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5654187/. Published 2017.
  7. Dagli N, Dagli R, Mahmoud RS, Baroudi K. Essential oils, their therapeutic properties, and implication in Dentistry: A Review. Journal of International Society of Preventive & Community Dentistry. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4606594/. Published 2015.
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