Review Finds No Evidence Activated Charcoal Toothpastes Clean, Whiten Teeth More Effectively.

Shape Magazine (12/15, Shortsleeve) reported on the debate over “activated charcoal toothpaste,” which claims to bind “to roughness on the enamel of the teeth, absorbing any stains or dirt – and whitening teeth as a result, explains Valerie Martins, D.M.D., a periodontist at Martins Dental Partners in Beverly, MA.” However, “a meta-analysis of research (scientists looked at 118 studies on the topic) published in The Journal of the American Dental Association (JADA) found no conclusive evidence that these products work as they say they do on both the whitening and cleaning fronts.” Additionally, Martins cautions, “If you use it too frequently, it can strip the enamel off of your teeth, which not only makes your teeth more sensitive, but more susceptible to tooth decay.” Shape continued, “Martins notes that the JADA article also looked into whether or not the activated charcoal toothpaste studied (50 of them, to be exact) contained fluoride, a mineral in toothpaste that helps prevent tooth decay.” The study found that “only one did.”

The Oral Health Topics on ADA.org provides additional information for dental professionals on toothpastes. To see a complete list of all products that have received the ADA Seal of Acceptance, including fluoride toothpastes, visit ADA.org/Seal.