Alternatives to charcoal toothpaste you need to know about

What do you notice first when you meet someone new? Their smile or their eyes? A pearly white smile leaves a good lasting first impression, and the best part is that it is easy to achieve without any abrasive whitening strips.

Some commercial toothpaste can be harsh on the mouth - and even though a few years ago, there was a huge movement around activated charcoal products - they can be quite abrasive too.

Although charcoal-based dental products were once all the rage, "charcoal-based toothpaste, which claims to whiten teeth, is a 'marketing gimmick' which could increase the risk of tooth decay and staining" says a review in the British Dental Journal.

Due to Love Island in 2018, Pro Teeth Whitening Co, known for their activated charcoal whitening powder saw sales soar by 30 per cent. And Rapid White wasn't the only charcoal-based toothpaste company that felt the Love Island effect either.

James Finley, Sales Director at Pro Teeth Whitening Co, commented: "Reality TV programmes like Love Island are a great advertisement for us as all the cast have a great set of white teeth."

One Oral Health Foundation survey revealed that "whiter teeth is considered more than twice as desirable as having healthy gums".

Prevention is always better than cure and the best way to maintain natural tooth whiteness is by following a robust oral hygiene regimen. Research has found that 2-in-3 (66%) of adults in the UK have visible plaque. What's more, there are over 8,300 cases of mouth cancer each year.

Google Trends has recently shown an increase by 3,000 per cent on searches for "why does my tooth hurt when I bite down". With three million Brits suffering from regular oral pain, a good place to start for good oral health is what toothpaste to use.

We spoke to PÄRLA, an eco-friendly and sustainable toothpaste brand that has launched a dehydrated toothpaste tablet in a reusable glass jar, to find out what to look for in a good toothpaste and their top tips on preventing tooth decay.

What ingredients to look for in a good toothpaste:

"You want to look for key ingredients to prevent tooth decay. The key ingredient is fluoride which all dentists recommend. The key is in the dose, not too much or too little," the dentists behind PÄRLA explain.

"You want to be looking for a toothpaste that contains Vitamin E and Vitamin b12 which is a fantastic way to transport these vitamins effectively and efficiently. The portal through the thin epithelium ensures we are getting our daily dose most efficiently."

Tips for ways to prevent tooth decay:

PÄRLA dental experts also shared some of their top tips.

Reduce your intake of sugary foods:

"Sugary snacks have an impact on your teeth and contain many different kinds of sugar every day, including table sugar (sucrose) and corn sweeteners (fructose). When you put sugar in your mouth, the bacteria in the plaque gobble up the sweet stuff and turn it into acids. These acids are powerful enough to dissolve the hard enamel that covers your teeth. That's how cavities get started. If you don't eat much sugar, the bacteria can't produce as much of the acid that eats away enamel."

Lower your alcohol consumption:

"Drinks like beer, liquor and soft drinks have high sugar content and high acidity, which break down the enamel that protects your teeth which can lead to long term tooth decay, cavities and long term tooth decay."

Go electric:

"Swap out your manual toothbrush for an electric one, electric toothbrushes can remove up to 70 per cent more plaque than manual brushes alone, PÄRLA are a fan of the Philips Sonicare."

A healthy oral routine is key:

"Ensure you’re brushing twice a day before bed and in the morning, and flossing several times a week helps. Flossing helps remove some of the stainings between the teeth, instantly making them look whiter. We also recommend Waterpik Water air flosser to help lift stains."

With that in mind let's take a look at some of the best charcoal toothpaste alternatives formulated with natural ingredients that will leave you with a dazzling white and healthy smile.

SHOP: The best alternatives to charcoal toothpaste

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The PÄRLA Toothpaste Tabs come in a glass jar with an aluminium lid, designed to reuse over and over again

A promising review: "I've tried many other brands of toothpaste tablets (Denttabs, Georganics, Lush etc), but I didn't like how chalky and they felt in my mouth, and some tasted foul. I nearly gave up looking for a plastic-free alternative, but my friend recommended PÄRLA to me."

"These toothpaste tablets are hands down, the only brand you need to try. The tablets are super creamy, foams up well (not as much as normal toothpaste as there is no SLS) and my teeth feel super clean afterwards. I'm so glad I've found tablets that work for my family and me, as well as saving the environment."

According to Atomy, propolis is the dark brown coloured, and sticky resin liquid produced by bees that is used to protect and seal the entrance of beehives from bacteria and germs. It does precisely the same for teeth and can also help them maintain their natural whiteness by reducing bacteria in the mouth.

The human use of propolis dates back to about 300 B.C. One study has shown that propolis in toothpaste significantly improved oral health and prevented dental plaque formation, which is considered the leading cause of most oral diseases.

Green Tea is a powerful antioxidant, which helps to clean and rinse off the bacteria from your mouth. It will also help you get rid of toxins in your body, giving the mouth a cleansed feeling.

Tried and tested by Ellen Kinsey, Commercial Content Writer for Closer Online: "Never underestimate the power of bees, from bee pollen to manuka honey, we can harvest the power of bees for our own health. Did you know, Ah Muzen Cab, the Maya god of bees and honey is one of the most important gods in Mayan culture in Mexico? Propolis is known to help with tooth sensitivities and is a fantastic alternative to charcoal toothpaste. The toothpaste tastes quite sweet and leaves my mouth feeling fresh and clean. I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a new toothpaste alternative."

CoQ10 is a substance naturally found in every cell in the body, but our bodies produce it more slowly as we age. Plus, aloe vera is effective in controlling bacteria that causes cavities and kill harmful microorganisms due to compounds called anthraquinones, which are anti-inflammatory. Win-win.

Review: "Very good quality toothpaste. Easy to brush on and taste is subtle and refreshing. I have bought this product several times and I am always happy with it."

Review: "I have a very sensitive mouth and lips and normal toothpaste make my mouth so sore - this product is gentle and effective. Makes your teeth feel clean lovely taste to it without some of the unnatural ingredients"

Coconut oil has been used for centuries as an effective oral hygiene practice. It works by deeply cleansing and effectively removing contaminants.

Recent research suggests that when swishing coconut oil in your mouth for 10 to 20 minutes may reduce harmful bacteria in the mouth, prevent gingivitis and tooth decay, and get rid of bad breath.

Promising review: "The best natural toothpaste I've tried, somehow commercial toothpaste strip the linings of my mouth, after suffering for years and many visits to the doctor and dentist, I searched online to discover I wasn't the only one with the same problem and changing to a natural toothpaste solved the problem. I have been using Dr Organic for years alternating between the different varieties and haven't looked back."

The anti-bacterial properties of tea tree paired with regular brushing can help to protect against plaque, tartar, discolouration, cavities and bad breath. This natural toothpaste is purifying, whitening and contains an anti-cavity benefit. So you can be sure to have a healthy, bright smile.

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Can activated charcoal damage the enamel on my teeth?

Enamel doesn't repair itself, so wearing down tooth enamel will have a lasting effect. It would be best to find charcoal toothpaste that isn't too abrasive.

It's important to remember you if you do use charcoal toothpaste, that to use it once or twice a week alongside your normal toothpaste, as it can wear down teeth enamel. Do NOT attempt to make this at home. It’s not the same as the charcoal from your BBQ - this can be toxic.