# Have you tried charcoal toothpaste? Charcoal toothbrushes? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 23, 2021, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-tried-charcoal-toothpaste-charcoal-toothbrushes/938472 "2021-03-23T03:03:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2021, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-tried-charcoal-toothpaste-charcoal-toothbrushes/938472/1 "2021-03-23T03:03:59Z")
Maybe it’s just trendy but I’ve recently switched to using charcoal toothpaste and I love it. Last week I bought charcoal toothbrushes and definitely like them as well. What’s been your experience? ---
**Author:** ![blabbermeister](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e9a140/32.png) [@blabbermeister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blabbermeister)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2021, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-tried-charcoal-toothpaste-charcoal-toothbrushes/938472/2 "2021-03-23T03:52:24Z")
Tell us why you like it! I’ve never heard of it. ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2021, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-tried-charcoal-toothpaste-charcoal-toothbrushes/938472/3 "2021-03-23T03:54:17Z")
My two kids still living at home use it, and I have to occasionally yell at them about the mess. I thought it was just a trendy thing though, what do you like about it? I think one of my kids said something about it being very good at whitening. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2021, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-tried-charcoal-toothpaste-charcoal-toothbrushes/938472/4 "2021-03-23T04:08:16Z")
Pretty much that. It seems to be good at whitening and doesn’t have the awful taste that most whitening toothpastes have. I definitely feel clean after using it as well, almost at just left the dentist clean level. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2021, 10:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-tried-charcoal-toothpaste-charcoal-toothbrushes/938472/5 "2021-03-23T10:44:35Z")
What do dentists think of them? Do they damage tooth enamel? ---
**Author:** ![Brayne\_Ded](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Brayne\_Ded](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brayne_Ded)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2021, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-tried-charcoal-toothpaste-charcoal-toothbrushes/938472/6 "2021-03-23T14:14:19Z")
I used a tube of charcoal toothpaste a year or two ago. It cost more, it seemed to have a good cleaning effect, but there was nothing dramatic. I have never seen charcoal toothbrushes. Years ago I sometimes used something called Pearl Drops, which seemed to be more abrasive and gave results more like a dental cleaning. I assume that it should only be occasionally, though, as I suspect that it abrades the enamel. In the search for dental excellence I have also used so-called enamel repair toothpastes (hard to tell if they work) and special toothpaste for electric toothbrushes. Both seemed OK, but again, you don’t see much difference. The most effective thing I have found is a tooth powder called Vicco, which was recommended by my dentist. It seems to get the film off your teeth better than anything else, and it is not abrasive. I have not bothered with any whitening product, although my teeth could use one, as the home-use ones are not very effective from what I have heard. ---
**Author:** ![Jasmine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jasmine/32/2964_2.png) [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2021, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-tried-charcoal-toothpaste-charcoal-toothbrushes/938472/7 "2021-03-23T14:24:08Z")
> [@Maserschmidt](#): > > … what do you like about it? 🤢 ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2021, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-tried-charcoal-toothpaste-charcoal-toothbrushes/938472/8 "2021-03-23T15:24:57Z")
Charcoal turns my teeth black- just for a very short time. A good rinse gets rid of it. However, I need to point out that the quest for white teeth is damaging to them. Teeth arent supposed to be white, more of a pale ivory. Now sure if your teeth are stained, then try something if you want to. > **[How Come My Teeth Are Not White When I Brush Them Every Day? | Triangle...](https://triangledentistry.com/how-come-my-teeth-are-not-white-when-i-brush-them-every-day/)** > > Frustrated that your teeth are not white even though you brush them everyday? It's a common misperception that teeth are mean to be white. ---
**Author:** ![blabbermeister](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e9a140/32.png) [@blabbermeister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blabbermeister)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2021, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-tried-charcoal-toothpaste-charcoal-toothbrushes/938472/9 "2021-03-23T16:01:55Z")
I think white teeth look ridiculous. Pink or blue or lavender would make just as much sense. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2021, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-tried-charcoal-toothpaste-charcoal-toothbrushes/938472/10 "2021-03-23T16:31:10Z")
Yep. Especially those blindingly white teeth. Mind you deeply stained teeth look bad also. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2021, 10:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-tried-charcoal-toothpaste-charcoal-toothbrushes/938472/11 "2021-03-24T10:20:14Z")
I’ve tried charcoal toothpaste. It’s fine, although it may stain your sink. However, I drink way too much tea to have any hope of ever having unstained teeth again. ---
**Author:** ![Happytree](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happytree/32/3555_2.png) [@Happytree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happytree)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2021, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-tried-charcoal-toothpaste-charcoal-toothbrushes/938472/12 "2021-03-27T23:58:50Z")
Please read the label on your charcoal toothpaste! Mine says it should only be used a few times a week. The stuff i have is quite gritty. If the stuff you’re using is like mine, it’s too harsh for daily use. I haven’t tried the charcoal with an electric toothbrush yet! I bet it will really feel dentist-clean. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2021, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-tried-charcoal-toothpaste-charcoal-toothbrushes/938472/13 "2021-03-27T23:59:39Z")
> [@Happytree](#): > > Please read the label on your charcoal toothpaste! Mine says it should only be used a few times a week. The stuff i have is quite gritty. If the stuff you’re using is like mine, it’s too harsh for daily use. Excellent point and great advice! ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2021, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-tried-charcoal-toothpaste-charcoal-toothbrushes/938472/14 "2021-03-28T00:11:21Z")
…and, now that you mention it, I do appear to have a toothbrush with plastic bristles “infused with activated charcoal.” They look black. I have not noticed any noticeable extra grit. ---
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2021, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-tried-charcoal-toothpaste-charcoal-toothbrushes/938472/15 "2021-03-28T03:37:26Z")
I’ve tried charcoal soaps and charcoal deodorants and noticed nothing different. ---
**Author:** ![mordecaiB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mordecaib/32/7725_2.png) [@mordecaiB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mordecaiB)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2021, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-tried-charcoal-toothpaste-charcoal-toothbrushes/938472/16 "2021-03-30T20:49:00Z")
I just skipped the charcoal and went straight to using a Dremel with a grinding stone. Not only are my teeth white but they come to very sharp points! ---
**Author:** ![jtur88](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e9c0ed/32.png) [@jtur88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jtur88)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2021, 10:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-tried-charcoal-toothpaste-charcoal-toothbrushes/938472/17 "2021-03-31T10:15:17Z")
My DDS told me to use anti-tartar, and when I moved to Philippines four years ago, the only box that said tartar control on it was charcoal, so I bought it. No difference I can detect. In the third world, you can’t get those 12-oz 79c tubes of Ultra-brite that WalMart puts on the bottom shelf.