Black marks for ‘gimmicky’ charcoal toothpaste
IT is the toothpaste that’s all the rage among celebrities who credit it with keeping their smiles gleaming.
But charcoal toothpaste does not make your teeth any whiter – and it may even increase the risk of dental decay, experts have warned.
The product, available in high street chemists and backed by the likes of former X Factor judge Nicole Scherzinger, merely removes stains – much like regular brushing, researchers said.
And such toothpastes rarely contain fluoride, which is needed to prevent decay, the study published in the British Dental Journal found. It also claimed the charcoal may in fact limit the active fluoride from protecting teeth.
Experts from King’s College London and the University of Manchester said the products are reliant on ‘marketing gimmicks and folklore’. Study co- author Dr Joseph Greenwall-Cohen said: ‘The problem is that there are so many celebrity endorsements and social media posts about these products, but the claims made about them are unsupported by the evidence.’
Holland & Barrett and Boots are among the shops selling charcoal toothpastes and powders which do not contain fluoride.
Professor Damien Walmsley, of the British Dental Association, said: ‘Charcoal-based toothpastes offer no silver bullets for anyone seeking a perfect smile and come with real risks attached...
‘These abrasive formulations may be effective at removing surface stains, but prolonged use may also wear away tooth enamel... The vast majority of these toothpastes are fluoride-free so aren’t even offering the basics.’
A Boots spokesman said: ‘We thoroughly assess all of our dental care products,’ adding that its Pro Teeth Activated Charcoal Powder does not contain fluoride, but is marketed as a ‘whitening polish powder and not as a “toothpaste”.’
Holland & Barrett said customers tell them of finding ‘great health benefits’ from using ‘natural toothpastes including fluoride-free and charcoal with fluoride’.