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= Charcoal Toothpaste = Charcoal Toothpaste is derived from activated charcoal which is black in colour. The charcoal is formed into a paste which has a soft consistency like that of baking soda. Charcoal toothpaste helps to absorb dirt in the teeth and detox the mouth of impurities. This trend in toothpaste has grown in the oral healthcare industry and its increase is seen on the shelves of many pharmacies. It has now become a popular alternative to regular teeth whitening toothpaste in the beauty industry.

Ancient Rome
The earliest uses of charcoal was documented in 25 BC- 50 AD by Aulus Cornelius Celsus, a Roman encyclopaedist and historian of medicine. Ancient Romans in high society maintained their dental hygiene by ensuring they had a regular teeth brushing routine. They would use miswak sticks also called twigs as brushes while using unusual powdered mixtures of either mouse brain, donkey teeth, ashes head of hare, or burnt eggshells. In order to add flavour to these ingredients, they used a combination of powdered charcoal, bark and sodium bicarbonate (baking soda). Historian Aulus had noted that this helped to keep ancient Romans teeth white and to prevent cavities.

19th Century
The absorption of charcoal also called activated charcoal in the body was first seen in clinical trials in the early 1800s. Medical investigators, Tovery, Bertrand, Hort and Garrod performed clinical tests of charcoal indigestion to determine if it could treat human and animal poisoning. In 1831,Tovrey, a French chemist performed a demonstration of this in front of the French Academy of Medicine and ingested a fatal amount of strychnine in combination with charcoal. The outcome left him unharmed of any illness due to the fact that he had consumed small doses of charcoal. A few years later, in 1834, American doctor, Hort had saved one of his patients from a lethal ingestion of mercury bichloride by giving him charcoal to intake. Activated charcoal had been continuously improved and tested for its absorption abilities through the next 150 years ongoing.

Present Day
The popularity of charcoal is now seen more than ever in beauty products like face washes, shampoos, soaps, and have even seen it incorporated in desserts like charcoal ice cream.

Creation Process
The main composition of charcoal toothpaste is made from activated charcoal which is created with a combination of carbon-burning materials, such as wood pulp, low amounts of ash, coconut shells, coal, rye starch, and lignite.

In order for regular charcoal to be used for anecdotal and medical purposes, it is heated with the presence of gas. This process then transforms standard charcoal into activated charcoal which is has high absorptive properties that allows it to be safe for digestive ingestion and cleanses at the surface level. The microscopic charcoal in toothpaste allows it to easily absorb dirt in teeth and toxins.

Ingredients
Although, the main ingredient found in charcoal toothpaste is activate charcoal, many contain flavouring agents just like regular fluoride toothpaste to make it have a better taste. In a review by the Journal of the American Dental Association (JADA), it was found that charcoal toothpaste contained bentonite clay which is seen as a detoxifying ingredient and nettle, a stimulant plant found in Asia.

Benefits
In the dental industry, it is a natural alternative to teeth whitening than the typical toothpastes that contain fluoride. Charcoal toothpaste helps to balance your oral ph level, prevent cavities, remineralize teeth and improve bad breath in people that suffer from halitosis. Also, due to its rough consistency, it helps to limit the build-up of plaque on the teeth.

It is a healthier way to remove extrinsic stains on the teeth caused through the discolouration of coffee, red wine and deep coloured berries and other consumption of dark foods. Brushing with charcoal toothpaste detoxifies your mouth by the charcoal binding to acid properties which also helps speed the process of excretion of impurities from the body.

The use of charcoal toothpaste helps to maintain a healthy and balanced body because it provides this stability by helping to prevent damage and ensuring your immune system is functioning at a good rate. Scientific studies have also shown that it can also help to preclude bad cholesterol.

Side Effects
The particles of charcoal are star shaped which can be very abrasive on the teeth. When charcoal toothpaste is overused the rough texture can erode the tooth enamel and cause permanent damage. Also, because it is black, the particles can accumulate in the gaps and crevices of dental restorations such as veneers and fillings which would cost money to fix or replace.

Brands of Charcoal Toothpaste
There are many dental care brands that have incorporated charcoal in their products. A list of some brands include:


 * Colgate Total Charcoal Deep clean- Infused with low amounts of charcoal so more gentle on the teeth
 * Hello Charcoal- Made from sustainable bamboo
 * Terra & Co Brilliant Black Set- Free from chemicals like fluoride and peroxide. Vegan and gluten- free.

Homemade Charcoal Toothpaste Recipe
The ingredients found in charcoal toothpaste are readily accessible, which makes it easy to make your own from home. Many recipes have been created online for followers of this dental health trend. One recipe found on a beauty website included:

Ingredients
1 Capsule of activated charcoal

2 Tablespoons of filtered water

1-2 Drops of essential oil (i.e. peppermint oil)

2 Tablespoons baking soda

2 Tablespoon coconut oil

Instructions

Place coconut oil in a sauce pan or in a boiler to melt but place on low heat. After the coconut is melted, pour into a small bowl and combine the activated charcoal, essential oils and baking soda. Mix until it is a smooth consistency. Pour the blend into a plastic container or jar and then store it in a cool dry place.

Directions

This charcoal toothpaste recipe suggests that it should be used at least 1-2 times per week.

Research
There has been healthcare research that suggest that the charcoal toothpaste teeth whitening effect is superficial because it does not last long. It works to remove stains on the surface of teeth temporary and does not have the ability to keep it bright for longer periods of time as a regular fluoride toothpaste would. Medical investigators from the Oral Health Foundation found that toothpastes must contain at least 1350 to 1,500 amounts per million (ppm) of fluoride in order to effectively clean and prevent tooth decay. Toothpastes that contained activated charcoal fell extremely short of this standard amount which would not prevent tooth decay in users but instead increase it. This research also informs users of to speak to a certified dentist before using activated charcoal toothpaste.