Health · Fitness & Nutrition · 7 hrs ago
Medanta dentist warns against relying on charcoal and oil pulling for dental care
Medanta dentist Dr Ankur Rustagi addressed common dental-care myths in an interview about whitening and daily hygiene.
He says there is not enough evidence that charcoal toothpaste safely and effectively whitens teeth.
Frequent use may wear down enamel, which does not grow back, and can increase sensitivity.
Coconut oil pulling cannot replace brushing or flossing, despite limited research suggesting possible benefits for some oral-health measures.
Rustagi recommends brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and cleaning between teeth daily.
Homemade baking soda lacks fluoride, so he advises choosing toothpaste made for everyday use and consulting a dentist before trying products for stain removal.
Medanta dental surgeon Dr Ankur Rustagi says charcoal toothpaste is not proven to whiten teeth safely and effectively.
He warns that frequent use of some charcoal products may wear down enamel and increase tooth sensitivity.
Rustagi says oil pulling cannot replace brushing or flossing, and evidence for its oral-health benefits is limited.
He recommends brushing twice daily with fluoride toothpaste and cleaning between teeth daily.
- Who
- Dr Ankur Rustagi, associate director of oral and maxillofacial surgery and implants at Medanta Gurugram.
- What
- He says evidence for charcoal toothpaste and oil pulling is limited, and that oil pulling cannot replace brushing or flossing.
- When
- The article was published on October 14, 2026.
- Where
- Medanta Gurugram’s department of dental sciences.
- Why
- To address claims about dental-care trends and explain what the article says is supported by evidence.
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- Dentist
- Dr Ankur Rustagi
- Hospital
- Medanta Gurugram
- Charcoal toothpaste
- Insufficient scientific evidence that it safely and effectively whitens teeth
- Oil pulling
- Cannot replace brushing or flossing
- Brushing advice
- Twice daily for two minutes with fluoride toothpaste