Charcoal Toothpaste and Whitening Powder: What the Sources Say and Safety
Charcoal toothpaste and whitening powder checked against dental trials and lab studies: whitening is minor, many products lack fluoride, and enamel wear results are mixed.
Content last updated . This page has not been medically reviewed.
What is Charcoal Toothpaste and Whitening Powder good for?
What the body uses it for, and how strong the evidence is. A normal job in the body is not proof that extra supplements add benefit; each card says which.
Charcoal toothpaste and powder for whitening teeth: claim check
Preliminary or mixedIn a 2024 trial of 56 volunteers over 14 days, charcoal toothpaste and powder whitened about as much as regular fluoride toothpaste, and 10% carbamide peroxide whitened more. A 2023 review of mostly lab studies found a lower whitening effect than other options.
Supplements: Minor effect in the trial read; the authors said charcoal-based products should be discouraged. Results are for brushing, not swallowing, and the trial lasted 14 days.
Antibacterial and mouth-detox claims: claim check
Preliminary or mixedA 2017 literature review found online adverts for charcoal toothpastes made antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral and detoxification claims that were unsubstantiated, and that clinical and lab evidence was insufficient for safety and efficacy claims.
Supplements: No good evidence of benefit was found in the sources read. Proper evidence not found for germ-killing or breath effects.
Product variation and marketing claims
Preliminary or mixedA 2026 lab study found silica, carbonates, hydrogen peroxide and charcoal in particles of charcoal toothpastes, with different effects on enamel by product. Labels in the Brazilian survey included antiviral and 'oral immunity' claims.
Supplements: Read the label of the exact product; a dentist can advise.
Connected topics
Open a group to see how each topic connects and how strong the evidence is.
Body systems (1)
- Digestive SystemDocumented risk
Charcoal that is swallowed can cause nausea or vomiting, and should not be used with gut bleeding, perforation or blockage.
Body parts (1)
- GutDocumented risk
Same safety points as above; applies to swallowed charcoal rather than brushing.
Root causes (1)
- Medication Side EffectsDocumented risk
Swallowed activated charcoal can bind medicines; one small study saw a large drop in absorption of one medicine. Brushing amounts are not described.
Documented risks and interactions (5)
- Enamel and tooth wear from abrasive charcoal products. Lab studies disagree. Most studies in a 2023 review found charcoal toothpaste more abrasive; a lab test of 12 charcoal toothpastes found abrasivity within the range of other commercial toothpastes; another lab study found softer, rougher enamel after brushing. No long-term human data were read.
- Missing fluoride in many charcoal products. In a 2021 survey of 36 charcoal toothpastes and powders sold in Brazil, only 3 contained fluoride. A lab study found no detectable soluble fluoride in a charcoal powder, and a study of 12 charcoal toothpastes noted many lack fluoride. The ADA says a cavity-protection claim requires fluoride.
- Raw charcoal or soot brushed on teeth. In the 2017 review, none of 13 studies on brushing with raw charcoal or soot met the review's trial criteria; three of them reported harmful outcomes such as more caries or enamel abrasion.
- Binds medicines in the gut (swallowed charcoal). Activated charcoal reduces absorption of many swallowed substances. In 8 volunteers, it lowered the absorption of one medicine (cimetidine) by a median of about 92% when given 15 minutes later. The sources read do not say how much is swallowed during brushing.
- Swallowing charcoal and poisoning: what poison centers say. Poison Control describes activated charcoal as a hospital poison treatment; side effects include nausea, vomiting and breathing the powder or slurry into the lungs if very drowsy. It should not be used with bleeding, perforation or blockage of the gut. Call Poison Help (US 1-800-222-1222) after a worrying swallow.
The short answer: in a 2024 randomized trial, charcoal toothpaste and charcoal powder whitened teeth about as little as regular toothpaste, and the authors said such products should be discouraged. [7] Many charcoal products contain no fluoride, and lab studies on enamel wear give mixed results. [5][6][9] This page separates what sellers say, what laboratory studies found, and what human trials found. It is about brushing with charcoal. Swallowing charcoal is a different subject, covered in Activated charcoal and poisoning.
What charcoal toothpaste and whitening powder are
These are toothpastes or loose black powders that contain activated charcoal, a carbon material with many tiny pores that sticks other substances to its surface. [1] Sellers say it "lifts" stains and "detoxifies" the mouth. Poison Control notes that its benefit in toothpastes and skin products is questionable. [1]Products differ a lot. In a 2021 survey of 36 charcoal toothpastes and abrasive powders sold in Brazil, only 3 contained fluoride. [5] In a 2017 review, about one-third of the charcoal products checked also contained bentonite clay. [4] A 2026 lab study found silica, carbonates and hydrogen peroxide in the particles of some charcoal toothpastes, besides charcoal. [11] A "powder" can be a plain abrasive, while a "paste" may contain several other ingredients. Check the label of the exact product. Other charcoal types are covered on the coconut charcoal and bamboo charcoal pages.
Claims and what the sources found
| Claim or use | What the best source found | Evidence label | Route, product and who was studied |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whitens teeth | A 2024 single-blind randomized trial (56 volunteers, 14 days) found both a charcoal powder and a charcoal toothpaste whitened about as much as regular fluoride toothpaste. Carbamide peroxide whitened more. The authors said charcoal products should be discouraged. [7] A 2023 report with the same four groups of 14 found charcoal products changed how people felt about their smile less than carbamide peroxide did. [8] A 2023 systematic review of 11 mostly lab studies found charcoal toothpastes had a lower whitening effect than other options. [3] | Mixed; minor effect | Brushing with commercial charcoal products; adults in one small trial, plus extracted or bovine teeth in lab studies |
| Only removes surface stains, does not truly whiten | A 2024 lab study on stained cow teeth found no color change that differed between products, and concluded charcoal only removes stains on the surface. [9] | Lab only | Bovine enamel, one brushing cycle |
| Safe for enamel | The 2023 review found most studies agreed charcoal toothpaste is more abrasive. [3] A lab study of 12 charcoal toothpastes measured relative dentin abrasivity from 24 to 166 and relative enamel abrasivity from 0 to 14, not different from previously tested commercial toothpastes. [6] Another lab study found both charcoal products lowered enamel hardness and raised roughness. [9] A 2026 lab study found no significant roughness difference between groups, but mineral loss and deeper abrasion with some products. [11] | Mixed; lab only | Bovine or extracted teeth; no long-term human data read |
| Antibacterial, antiviral, "detoxifies" the mouth | A 2017 literature review found online ads made antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral and "detoxification" claims that were not backed up. It found clinical and lab evidence insufficient to support safety and efficacy claims. [4] | No good evidence of benefit | Review of products and studies |
| Fresher breath | Poison Control lists bad-breath claims as a marketing claim for charcoal products. [1] Proper evidence not found for charcoal toothpaste and breath in the sources we read. | Insufficient evidence | |
| Removes toxins from the body | NCCIH reports a 2015 review that found no compelling research that "detox" diets eliminate toxins. [2] Proper evidence not found that brushing with charcoal does anything for the body's toxins. | No good evidence of benefit | |
| Raw charcoal or soot brushed on teeth (homemade) | The 2017 review found none of 13 studies on brushing with raw charcoal or soot met its trial criteria. Three of them reported harmful outcomes such as more caries or enamel abrasion. [4] | Insufficient evidence; some harm reported | Raw charcoal and soot, older studies |
Limits: the one human whitening trial we read had 14 volunteers per group and lasted 14 days, so it says nothing about years of use. [7] The 2023 review rated its studies medium-high risk of bias. [3] Lab studies on cow or extracted teeth cannot show what happens in a mouth over time; their authors say so. [9] A 2021 review of the literature found 21 of 22 articles were lab studies, and the only clinical study was sponsored by a charcoal company and had no control group. [5]
Safety by group
- Enamel and teeth: Lab results are mixed (see the table), and we did not find long-term human trials of enamel wear. [3][6][9][11] The ADA says toothpastes with its Seal must have a relative dentin abrasivity of 250 or less, and also says this number should not be used to rank safety. [10] The ADA page we read does not mention charcoal. [10]
- Fluoride: A toothpaste needs fluoride to carry the ADA's cavity-protection claim. [10] Only 3 of 36 charcoal products in the Brazilian survey contained fluoride, [5] and one lab study found no detectable soluble fluoride in a charcoal powder, while the other products were above 1000 ppm. [9] A study of 12 charcoal toothpastes also noted that many lack fluoride. [6] Check the label.
- Dental work: The sources we read do not describe charcoal and crowns, fillings or braces. Ask a dentist.
- Swallowing and medicines: In small amounts from brushing, the sources we read do not say how much is swallowed or whether it matters. Activated charcoal swallowed in medical amounts can cut the absorption of medicines: in 8 volunteers, it lowered the absorption of one medicine (cimetidine) by a median of about 92% when given 15 minutes later. [12] That does not describe brushing. A pharmacist can answer questions about medicines. See Medication interactions.
- Swallowed in larger amounts, or a child who ate it: Call Poison Help (US 1-800-222-1222) or your local emergency number. [1] See Poisoning: urgent help and Child swallowed a supplement or natural product.
- Breathing: Poison Control describes breathing in charcoal powder or slurry into the lungs when a person is very drowsy. [1] That is about hospital treatment; the sources we read do not describe powder from a toothbrush.
- Contamination: The sources we read did not measure metals in charcoal toothpaste. Elsewhere, see Heavy metals in natural ingredients.
- Gums, pregnancy and breastfeeding, children: the sources we read do not describe these. "Not described" is not proof of safety. A dentist can advise.
How it is used and what to look for on a label
- Pastes are used like toothpaste; powders are wet on the brush. We give no amounts or schedules.
- Look for fluoride on the label, and for an ADA Seal if you want one. [10]
- Be wary of "detox", "antibacterial" and "whitens in days" claims. [4][5]
- Compare with an ordinary toothpaste and ask a dentist about stain removal. See also Activated charcoal: teeth whitening and detox claims.
Related pages
Frequently asked questions
Does charcoal toothpaste whiten teeth?
Only a little. In a 2024 trial of 56 volunteers, charcoal products whitened about like regular toothpaste, and carbamide peroxide did better. [7] A 2023 review found a lower whitening effect than other options. [3]
Is it bad for my enamel?
Lab results are mixed. Some studies found more roughness and softer enamel, [9] others found abrasiveness similar to regular toothpastes. [6] We found no long-term human trials. Many charcoal products also lack fluoride. [5][6]
Does it detox my mouth or body?
We found no good evidence. A 2017 review found the antibacterial and detox claims unsupported. [4] NCCIH reports no compelling research that "detox" diets remove toxins. [2]
Is it safe if I swallow some, or for children?
The sources we read do not say how much is swallowed during brushing. If someone swallows a lot of any charcoal product or is unwell, call Poison Help (US 1-800-222-1222). [1] The sources we read do not cover children's or pregnancy use of charcoal toothpaste, so ask a dentist.
Can charcoal affect my medicines?
Swallowed activated charcoal can reduce absorption of medicines; one small study saw large drops for one medicine. [12] Ask a pharmacist if you swallow charcoal products.
References
- Poison Control (America's Poison Centers). Activated charcoal: An effective treatment for poisonings. Page shows no date; sources cited on it were accessed 2026. Read 2026-10-24.
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NIH). “Detoxes” and “Cleanses”: What You Need To Know. Last updated March 2025. Read 2026-10-24.
- Tomás DBM, Pecci-Lloret MP, Guerrero-Gironés J. Effectiveness and abrasiveness of activated charcoal as a whitening agent: a systematic review of in vitro studies. Ann Anat. 2023. PubMed 36183933 (abstract read via Europe PMC). Read 2026-10-24.
- Brooks JK, Bashirelahi N, Reynolds MA. Charcoal and charcoal-based dentifrices: a literature review. J Am Dent Assoc. 2017. PubMed 28599961 (abstract read via Europe PMC). Read 2026-10-24.
- Bauler LD, Santos CSD, Lima GS, Moraes RR. Charcoal-based dentifrices and powders: analyses of product labels, Instagram engagement, and altmetrics. Braz Dent J. 2021. PubMed 34614064 (abstract read via Europe PMC). Read 2026-10-24.
- Relative dentin and enamel abrasivity of charcoal toothpastes. Int J Dent Hyg. 2023. PubMed 36303293 (abstract read via Europe PMC). Read 2026-10-24.
- Whitening efficacy of activated charcoal-based products: a single-blind randomized controlled clinical trial. J Dent. 2024. PubMed 38316199 (abstract read via Europe PMC). Read 2026-10-24.
- Dental aesthetic perception of patients submitted to activated charcoal-based bleaching agents: a randomized clinical trial. J Dent. 2023. PubMed 37852572 (abstract read via Europe PMC). Read 2026-10-24.
- Optical, mechanical, and chemical impact of brushing with activated charcoal toothpowder and toothpaste on dental enamel: an in vitro evaluation. Materials (Basel). 2024. Read 2026-10-24.
- American Dental Association. Toothpastes. Last updated February 11, 2026. Read 2026-10-24.
- Alvarenga MP, Soares LES. Elemental and morphological mapping of enamel surface to predict the potential impact of charcoal-based dentifrices. ACS Omega. 2026. PubMed 41970904 (abstract read via Europe PMC). Read 2026-10-24.
- Drug adsorption efficacy and palatability of a novel charcoal cookie formulation. Pharmacotherapy. 2010. PubMed 20795844 (abstract read via Europe PMC). Read 2026-10-24.