Health

The science behind charcoal toothbrushes. Does charcoal toothbrush work?

Toothbrush with black charcoal toothpaste

Have you heard that in the past, people used to clean their teeth with charcoal?

It was the primary element that helped combat oral health issues when there wasn’t a discovery of the toothpaste or mouthwash to maintain oral hygiene. And, the same things are coming back. The craze for using a charcoal toothbrush has been increased for many reasons. Read on to understand what is a charcoal toothbrush and what effects charcoal produces.

Brushing with the right techniques keeps you away from the most common dental issues easily. Ideally, one should brush her teeth twice a day to keep the teeth in good shape. Besides, according to your teeth’ structure, you must make a wise decision in selecting the right toothbrush that can easily clean the teeth. There are several types of toothbrushes available in the market. From electric to criss-cross bristle, you can find many varieties like electric toothbrush vs manual toothbrush

However, as the charcoal toothbrush’s recent popularity is on the rise, you should understand what a charcoal toothbrush and its benefits or drawbacks are. 

What is charcoal toothbrush?

Just like a traditional toothbrush, a charcoal toothbrush has a similar shape and design. The only difference is that the bristles are infused with charcoal instead of nylon or synthetic bristles that thoroughly clean bacteria and debris in the mouth.

Some charcoal toothbrushes come with a plastic/rubber handle with the charcoal-infused bristles, while others come with a wooden handle. The wood is a natural option that is biodegradable, whereas the plastic is not. Hence, a bamboo charcoal toothbrush is preferred over the plastic charcoal toothbrush. 

What is the science behind the activated charcoal toothbrush?

The Charcoal toothbrush has activated charcoal that helps in maintaining good oral health. In general, activated charcoal is usually used for medical purposes to clean and detoxify the body and can be made from different natural sources such as coconut shells and oak branches. Charcoal works as an agent to reduce the growth of bacteria. Apart from the ordinary charcoal toothbrush, you may find other alternatives like charcoal toothpaste or powder that works similarly to the charcoal toothbrush. 

What are the benefits of using a charcoal toothbrush?

Here are the reasons that explain how charcoal toothbrush is beneficial:

Absorbs plaque

Charcoal has a natural porous formation; hence, it helps absorb bacteria and debris to efficiently clean the teeth and gums. The charcoal absorbs so that it reduces the chances of plaque. Besides, according to a study, a charcoal toothbrush is more effective in bacteria absorption compared to a traditional toothbrush that merely scrapes and sweeps the bacteria. 

Teeth whitening

Charcoal is known to be abrasive, which also aids in removing the stains from the teeth’ surface. Some of the drinks that you may consume on a regular basis like tea, coffee, red wine, and smoking are the leading causes of stained or yellow teeth. 

The activated charcoal in the brush’s bristles absorbs the tannins that cause stains. As it eliminates these through regular brushing, your teeth look whiter as the contaminants are removed. It helps in regaining the original color of your teeth naturally without bleaching or cosmetic dentistry required. 

Fresh breath

The carbon-absorbing traits that remove plaque and tannins can also remove the bacteria that cause bad breath. The use of a charcoal toothbrush here is not to mask or overpower the natural odor produced by your mouth, but it removes the bacteria that create the odor in your mouth. 

What are the drawbacks of charcoal toothbrushes?

There are advantages and disadvantages of using a charcoal toothbrush. As popularity is increasing, you should know the drawbacks of the charcoal infused toothbrush.

Abrasive in nature

Activated charcoal can aggravate the teeth by eroding their enamel. When the enamel (the outermost layer) on the teeth wears away, it’s gone forever. This can lead to sensitive teeth and discoloring. Because of this, Adatrow says that activated charcoal shouldn’t be used on a long-term basis. Also, it is suggested that charcoal toothbrushes should be avoided when you are prone to tooth decay. 

Might be messy to use

The black hue of activated charcoal can make a mess while you are brushing your teeth. If you are using a charcoal toothbrush instead of charcoal toothpaste or powder, it will reduce the mess comparatively. 

In addition, sometimes, depending on the dental condition, your family dentist does not recommend using charcoal to maintain good oral hygiene.

In a nutshell, whether to use a traditional toothbrush, charcoal infused toothbrush, or bamboo charcoal toothbrush is your personal decision. But, considering its advantages and disadvantages will help to finalize the decision. Whether you use a charcoal infused toothbrush or regular toothbrush, you should follow the right practices to maintain good oral health but don’t expect it to magically cure the dental issues with dental treatment plan in the absence of proper oral hygiene.

Author Bio:

Suchita has 6 years of experience in Healthcare Write-ups. She has been working as a senior content writer at TruCare Dentistry – a Family Dentistry in Roswell GA. Due to her passion, she has contributed significantly through her write-ups about multiple healthcare and education industries.

About Author

At TruCare Dentistry, Roswell, GA, we care about your needs and help you achieve your goal with a beautiful, healthy smile.

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