Effect of two types of charcoal toothpaste on the enamel surface roughness of permanent teeth

Charcoal in the composition of some kinds of toothpaste has created concerns regarding abrasiveness and subsequent complications. Considering the popularity of charcoal toothpaste, and the manufacturers’ claims that no porosity is caused by activated carbon, this study aimed to compare the effects of two charcoal kinds of toothpaste and three conventional tubes of toothpaste on enamel surface roughness of permanent primary teeth.

This in vitro experimental study evaluated 75 teeth mounted in acrylic resin. Teeth were divided into five groups (n = 15). The primary surface roughness of teeth was measured by a profilometer. The teeth were then subjected to wear test in a V8 cross‑brushing machine with Bencer and RP charcoal toothpaste, Crest 7, Colgate Optic White, and Bencer fresh mint toothpaste. After rinsing and drying specimens, their secondary surface roughness was measured. The mean changes in the roughness profile of specimens were analyzed by a one‑sample Kolmogorov–Smirnov test at a 0.05 significance level.

There was no significant difference in the mean surface roughness of specimens before and after the wear test (P > 0.05). The difference in the mean wear of five types of toothpaste was not significant either (P = 0.597). The mean changes in surface roughness were 0.0685 μm for Bencer charcoal, −0.0620 μm for RP charcoal, 0.0765 μm for Crest 7, 0.1137 μm for Colgate Optic White, and 0.1052 μm for Bencer fresh mint toothpaste.

Numerous kinds of toothpaste investigated in this study did not reveal any difference in terms of wear index; however, more studies are needed to evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of these types of toothpaste.