Abstract
Purpose Recently, charcoal-based oral hygiene products, such as toothpastes, have gained popularity due to their whitening and antibacterial properties. However, there is limited data on charcoal-bristle electric toothbrushes. The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare the coffee stain removal efficacy and enamel surface roughness induced by charcoal and non-charcoal electric toothbrushes with and without toothpaste.
Methods Forty-eight prepared tooth enamel samples were divided into four groups: charcoal-electric toothbrush with toothpaste (group 1, n=12), non-charcoal electric toothbrush with toothpaste (group 2, n=12), charcoal-electric toothbrush without toothpaste (group 3, n=12), and non-charcoal electric toothbrush without toothpaste (group 4, n=12). Coffee stains were developed on the specimens, followed by a standardized brushing procedure. Various color parameters, ΔL* (whiteness), Δa* (redness), and Δb* (yellowness), were measured using a spectrophotometer. The ΔE* (color change) was calculated from the ΔL*, Δa*, and Δb* values. The enamel surface roughness (Ra) was evaluated using a 3D non-contact profilometer.
Results All groups showed significant whitening (ΔL*), and groups with toothpastes demonstrated the most significant change in ΔE* values, irrespective of the bristle type (p<0.05). Both the bristle types effectively removed the coffee stains when used without toothpaste (p>0.05). However, groups with toothpaste exhibited significantly rougher enamel surfaces (p<0.05).
Conclusion Both charcoal and non-charcoal electric toothbrushes effectively removed coffee stains. The toothpaste enhanced the whitening effect but increased enamel roughness. Charcoal-bristled electric toothbrushes did not outperform non-charcoal toothbrushes. Caution is warranted when using these products regularly due to potential surface alterations.
- Received November 14, 2025.
- Accepted January 25, 2026.
- Copyright © 2026 The American Dental Hygienists’ Association
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