Dentists Explain If Toothpaste With Charcoal Actually Works

Advocates say charcoal toothpaste lifts stains and detoxes your mouth, but many dentists aren’t so quick to smile about it. In fact, a 2017 review in The Journal of the American Dental Association found that evidence supporting charcoal toothpaste’s whitening or oral-health benefits is limited and inconclusive.

“Charcoal toothpaste has become a huge fad online—especially on TikTok—with videos showing dramatic whitening results,” says Tyler Hales, D.D.S., a cosmetic dentist and founder of Hales Aesthetic in Orange County, CA. “While it might look effective, the truth is more complicated.”

So is this trendy black paste actually worth adding to your bathroom counter, or should you stick with traditional fluoride formulas? Here’s what Hales and other dentists have to say about whether toothpaste with charcoal really works, plus other whitening options to consider.

The dentists we spoke to agree that charcoal toothpaste gives teeth the appearance of being whiter in the short term. “Activated charcoal has long been used in medicine for its absorption properties,” Johannes Jacobs, D.D.S., founder of Jacobs & Associates Dental in Oakville, Ontario, says. And in toothpaste, it offers a natural way to lift minor stains. I’ve seen patients report that their teeth ‘feel cleaner’ or look a shade brighter after use.”

Nicole Khalife, D.D.S., owner of Lux Smiles NYC, agrees, noting that using charcoal toothpaste may “give the illusion of a brighter smile.” But ultimately, both agree that the effects are superficial. So whether or not toothpaste with charcoal actually “works” depends on what you’re hoping to get out of the experience.

Unfortunately, the list of benefits when it comes to charcoal toothpaste is pretty short. Namely, charcoal’s gritty texture helps polish away superficial stains—such as those from coffee, wine, or tobacco, notes Khalife—giving teeth a smoother feel and slightly brighter appearance right after brushing.

This alone may explain its popularity on TikTok and other visual platforms. Seeing an immediate difference in the before-and-after can hold a lot of sway. But it’s the longer-term effects that people need to understand.

Those same abrasive properties that might help do away with surface-level stains may cause bigger problems over time. Specifically, it may wear down enamel, which harms overall dental health in several ways.

“I’ve had patients—especially those who brush forcefully or use gritty charcoal pastes—present with increased sensitivity or even dull-looking teeth,” Khalife says, stressing that when “enamel wears away, it can’t be regenerated.”

A 2021 study backs this up. Researchers came to the conclusion that teeth brushed with charcoal toothpaste over a 12-week period not only appeared to have “no clinically acceptable whitening performances,” but also increased surface roughness on the tooth due to enamel abrasion.

Loss of enamel can impact the look of your teeth, but it can also cause additional issues down the line, such as gum recession and decay, warns Jacobs.

“I recall one patient, a man in his forties, who came in six months after switching to a charcoal paste,” he recalled. “He loved the look and feel initially, but began noticing cold sensitivity and some dark residue near a crown. We discovered slight erosion on several molars and needed to make some adjustments. The toothpaste itself wasn’t the only cause, but it likely didn’t help.”

An additional concern surrounding toothpaste with charcoal includes the possibility that charcoal particles get lodged in gums, cracks, or around the edges of crowns and veneers, says Khalife. The lack of fluoride in many charcoal toothpaste formulas is also a drawback, as low amounts of fluoride work to protect tooth enamel and prevent bacteria that cause cavities.

The idea of effective, safe, at-home teeth whitening remains alluring. There’s a reason stores tend to stock so many whitening strips and whitening toothpastes—consumers keep buying them, hoping they’ll do the trick.

But when it comes to toothpaste with charcoal, Hales says that “while the short-term results may look good on social media, the long-term effects [may] do more harm than good. If you’re looking for a safe, lasting way to brighten your smile, professional whitening or custom veneer design will always be the healthier, more predictable option.”

And if you really want the natural, surface-level stain-removing effects touted by proponents of charcoal toothpaste, give baking soda a try instead. Like charcoal, it’s an abrasive, but one that’s mild and considered safe, according to The Journal of the American Dental Association.

If you’ve already hopped on the charcoal toothpaste train or if you’re determined to give it a try, dentists say that the key is to proceed with caution. Jacobs suggests using a “gentle, well-formulated version that includes fluoride” no more than once or twice a week in conjunction with your regular toothpaste, while also stressing the importance of making regular dentist visits, so if it does cause any damage, it can be caught early on.

“Charcoal toothpaste is trendy, and it has a certain aesthetic allure,” Khalife admits. “But if your goal is a healthy, luminous smile, you’re better off combining professional cleanings, safe whitening treatments, and enamel-protective hygiene practices. Charcoal can be a part of the routine—but only with clear-eyed expectations and expert oversight.”