Have you recently walked into an “oral hygiene” isle of your local grocery or drug store, looking to buy toothpaste? If you have, chances are that you were presented with an overwhelming amount of options. These days you can find many different types of toothpastes; with different price points, different ingredients and flavors, all claiming to be better that their competition.
But not all toothpastes are created equal. In fact, some toothpastes can be potentially harmful for your teeth! Today, I want to talk to you about 3 different types of toothpastes that you should try to avoid.
1. Activated Charcoal Toothpaste
Activated charcoal is one of those trendy ingredients that has found its way into many beauty and healthcare products, from face masks to shampoos, to face washes, to even toothpaste! Charcoal toothpastes are heavily advertised as an all natural whitening option that also looks really cool. I mean, you’ve got to take that Instagram picture with your mouth full of grayish-charcoal foam!
But there are some serious concerns around charcoal toothpaste. To begin with, activated charcoal can be very abrasive, meaning that with continuous use, it can thin out and damage your enamel which can then lead to
- More staining – The charcoal wears down you enamel and creates micro scratches, making it a perfect surface for stains to cling to.
- Tooth sensitivity – As the enamel wears down, it will start to expose the yellow layer underneath (also known as the dentin layer). This will cause tooth sensitivity and give your teeth a yellow appearance.
- Increased risk for chipping your teeth – As the enamel wears down, your teeth become more fragile and more likely to chip.
Another issue with charcoal toothpaste is that the charcoal particles can get stuck underneath your gums, causing irritation, redness and (in severe cases) gum ulcerations. To add to all of these problems, charcoal toothpastes are usually fluoride-free. So you won’t even get the benefit of cavity protection from your toothpaste.
I want to emphasize that the enamel does not grow back and keeping that white enamel layer as healthy as possible is important for maintaining the health of your teeth. Activated charcoal toothpastes make many claims but there is not enough scientific data to back up the safety and efficacy of these claims. In other words, there is no strong evidence to suggest that charcoal toothpaste is safe to use for your teeth. In my opinion, charcoal pastes are more of a marketing gimmick and I highly advise against using them!
2. DIY / Homemade Toothpaste
DIY and homemade toothpastes have gained significant popularity over the past few years as more people are favoring natural healthcare products. While it’s true that with a homemade toothpaste you will be able to use all natural ingredients, it is very important to keep in mind that an all natural toothpaste does not mean that it is necessarily safe for your teeth.
The suggested ingredients for DIY toothpastes are usually acidic, like lemon juice; and/or abrasive like baking soda, salt and charcoal. With prolonged use, you will be putting the health of your enamel at risk and will be more likely to experience staining and tooth sensitivity.
3. Fluoride – Free Toothpaste
Fluoride is an important part of a complete cavity protection routine and everyone can benefit from it. Remember earlier, I talked to you about the importance of keeping your enamel healthy? Well, fluoride will help you with it. There is strong scientific evidence showing that fluoride can help with cavity protection and even help repair minor dental caries at their early stages. As an added bonus, fluoride can also help treat dental hypersensitivity.
I know that fluoride can sometimes be a controversial ingredient and I will make a dedicated post about fluoride and the health concerns around it. For now, I want to make it clear that I’m exclusively talking about topical fluoride in your toothpaste and for those who are able spit out the paste after use without swallowing (so not for young children and/or anyone with physical/mental disabilities that may accidentally swallow the toothpaste). Fluoride in your toothpaste is safe to use and is beneficial for you. In fact, the American Dental Association (ADA) seal of acceptance will only be given to toothpastes that contain fluoride. So when looking to buy toothpaste, please show your teeth some love and opt for a fluoridated toothpaste.
To recap:
The bristles of your toothbrush and your interdental cleaning aids (like floss and interdental brushes) are responsible for cleaning plaque off of your teeth. Your toothpaste helps deliver specific therapeutic agents (e.g. cavity protection and hypersensitivity treatment) but it is not mandatory for cleaning your teeth. So, if you are concerned about specific ingredients, you can just use water instead but remember to still brush your teeth twice a day!
If you choose to use toothpaste, look for those that have ADA Seal of Acceptance. I personally use and recommend Crest GUM Detoxify toothpaste. You can also find a list of all ADA approved toothpastes in the link below.
If you’re still not sure about what toothpaste to use, ask your dental hygienist and/or your dentist what the best option is for you.
Happy brushing!
Saba, RDH
References
Brooks, J. K., Bashirelahi, N., & Reynolds, M. A. (2017). Charcoal and charcoal-based dentifrices: a literature review. The Journal of the American Dental Association, 148(9), 661-670.
Hara, A. T., & Turssi, C. P. (2017). Baking soda as an abrasive in toothpastes: Mechanism of action and safety and effectiveness considerations. The Journal of the American Dental Association, 148(11), S27-S33.
Li, Y. (2017). Stain removal and whitening by baking soda dentifrice: a review of literature. The Journal of the American Dental Association, 148(11), S20-S26.
Oral Care. (n.d.). https://www.si.edu/spotlight/health-hygiene-and-beauty/oral-care
Pertiwi, U. I., Eriwati, Y. K., & Irawan, B. (2017, August). Surface changes of enamel after brushing with charcoal toothpaste. In Journal of Physics: Conference Series (Vol. 884, No. 1, p. 012002). IOP Publishing.
Wilkins’ Clinical Practice of the Dental Hygienist. (2020). (n.p.): Jones & Bartlett Learning.