Charcoal and charcoal-based dentifrices: a literature review
Brooks JK, Bashirelahi N, Reynolds MA
Published in The Journal of the American Dental Association
Methodology
Literature review of published data on charcoal and charcoal-based dentifrices and powders marketed for whitening and oral health.
Key Findings
The authors found insufficient clinical and laboratory data to substantiate cosmetic or health claims for charcoal dentifrices, and identified concerns about enamel and dentine abrasivity, lack of fluoride in most products, and charcoal particles becoming embedded in gingival tissue.
Conclusions
Charcoal-based oral products are not supported by evidence and carry plausible abrasion and caries risks; clinicians should advise caution.
Limitations
Narrative literature review; the underlying studies are few, mostly laboratory-based, and heterogeneous.
Supplements Studied
Insufficient clinical and laboratory data exist to substantiate cosmetic or health claims for charcoal dentifrices, which also raise abrasion and caries concerns.
Study Details
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Disclosures
Funding
No external funding reported (University of Maryland authors).
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