da Silva D F, Figueiredo F S, Scaramucci T, Mailart M C, Torres C R G, Borges A B. Is the whitening effect of charcoal-based dentifrices related to their abrasive potential or the ability of charcoal to adsorb dyes? J Dent 2024; 140: 104794.

Dentifrices containing activated charcoal do not provide superior results to minimise tooth staining and should be used cautiously.

This study evaluated if tooth colour alteration of activated charcoal-based dentifrices might be attributed to the dye adsorption potential of charcoal (chemical action [C] slurry only) or the association of dye adsorption with abrasion (chemo-mechanical action [CM] slurry/toothbrushing). Surface roughness, gloss, and wear were also assessed. Bovine enamel/dentine specimens were randomly allocated into the treatment groups and test model (n = 15): deionised water (negative control [NC]); Colgate Maximum Anticaries Protection (conventional toothpaste - positive control [PC]); Colgate Luminous White Activated Charcoal (LW); Oral-B 3D White Therapy Charcoal (WT); Curaprox Black is White (BW); Dermavita Whitemax (activated charcoal powder [WP]). Specimens were exposed to the C or CM models, in 28-day staining-treatment cycling. Additional specimens were indented with a Knoop diamond. The CM-model produced lower colour change than C. PC, LW, WT, BW and WP showed similar colour results for both models, differing from NC. Enamel wear values were highest for the WP. Activated charcoal-based dentifrices can minimise tooth staining similarly to conventional toothpaste. The activated charcoal powder damaged the enamel surface, showing a higher deleterious effect on enamel roughness, gloss and wear.