Brushing teeth with activated charcoal?

[mocha09]

My dd's grandmother told me that she brushed her teeth with activated charcoal about twice a week for 30 years. She has excellent teeth. (She has been into alternative health since before there was a name for it.) She said that it's especially good for the gums.

Anyway, I got some charcoal tablets from the health food store and tried it, and my teeth really did feel clean. But nobody I know has ever heard of doing this.

Anyone know anything about it? Am I doing something potentially damaging, or is it really good for teeth and gums?

[mocha09]

Bump. Smilemama, I see you're on line?

[Smilemomma]

Ha, you lured me in ... :

Although I can't state any studies to back this up, I would think that it would be quite abrasive. Sometimes I recommend a salt brushing to help with staining, but no more than once a week. Charcoal seems more abrasive than wet salt.

I would also think it would stain susceptible teeth or fillings. I know coffee, tea, dark juices, etc. will stain, so certainly something black would, right?

What would be the potential benefit? There are many safe and effective natural toothpastes available that would offer more, it seems.

Just an informed opinion ....

[mocha09]

Well, yeah, it seems kind of counter-intuitive to me, as well. I think she said that it absorbs the yucky stuff (or something) and whitens the teeth. I'd imagine it might be hard on the enamal?

Well, thank you for the advice. I think I'm going to hold off on the charcoal for now. I got a little caught up in her enthusiasm there for a while.

(her teeth really are very white, and she's been doing this for 30 years, though!)

Back to the tea tree oil for me!

THANK YOU SMILEMOMMA!