Does Activated Charcoal Teeth Whitening Work?

Activated charcoal is a fine-grained black powder made from a variety of natural substances, such as coconut shells, olive pits, slowly burned wood, and peat.

The powder becomes activated when oxidized under extreme heat. Activated charcoal is very porous and highly adsorbent. It also has a wide surface area.

Unlike absorbent substances, activated charcoal’s adsorbent nature allows it to bind to toxins and odors, rather than soaking (absorbing) them up.

Activated charcoal?shouldn’t be confused with the charcoal you use for barbecuing.

Although similar, activvated charcoal is manufactured to be a fuel and emits carbon dioxide when heated. It may have a carcinogenic effect on health. Activated charcoal, on the other hand, doesn’t contain these types of toxins.

Activated charcoal’s adsorbent nature has been referenced in medical literature for centuries. In the early 1800s, activated charcoal started to gain prominence as a treatment for accidental ingestion of poison.

Because it can stop certain types of poison from being absorbed from the gut into the bloodstream, it’s still used for this purpose today. It can also?counteractTrusted Source

?drug overdoses.

There’s some scientific evidence, and lots of anecdotal information, about activated charcoal’s other?benefits and uses. These include reducing underarm.

You can find activated charcoal in facial masks and shampoos. Because of its ability to bind to toxins, some people believe activated charcoal can whiten teeth, too.

Before you start brushing with this grainy black substance, here’s what you should know.

Charcoal teeth whitening

You can find an array of dental products containing activated charcoal on store shelves, from toothpastes to kits. Products containing this ingredient claim to remove coffee stains, wine stains, and?plaque.

But despite its popularity, there’s no scientific evidence backing up activated charcoal’s benefits for teeth.

Since there’s no data behind the claims that activated charcoal is safe or effective, products containing this ingredient aren’t eligible for the American Dental Association (ADA)?Seal of Acceptance.

According to the?ADA, activated charcoal’s abrasive texture might even harm rather than whiten teeth by wearing down tooth enamel.

Despite this lack of scientific evidence, some people still swear by activated charcoal’s ability to eliminate tooth stains and whiten teeth.