If you’re like most of us, you probably guzzle down a few cups of coffee a day. Maybe for you it’s Coke, or red wine. What do all of these have in common? They stain your teeth.
We all want pearly whites, but professional tooth whitening kits just don’t cut it. Sure they work, but they take weeks, they’re expensive, and they’re just unpleasant to use. From disposable strips to molded teeth plates, no one has time to stick them in your mouth for an hour every night.
Well the natural beauty world may have the solution: activated charcoal.
How Does It Work?
No, you’re not sucking on a briquette from your grill. Activated charcoal is a substance that’s been used to absorb toxins for centuries. It’s still used as mild poison control today.
Now proponents are claiming it can do the same for your teeth. By either gargling or using it like toothpaste, activated charcoal can supposedly absorb the build up off your pearly whites.
Too Good To Be True?
A lot of dentists are saying we shouldn’t believe the hype. As of now, a lot of the evidence is anecdotal. However, dentists have a lot to gain from recommending against natural teeth whitening. That’s a major market for their practices, so anecdotal might hold a little bit more weight against biased opinions.
The good news is that it’s almost 100% safe. Since it’s used commonly in medicine, out bodies are perfectly capable of consuming a small amount. As long as you’re not drinking the paste, the only major side affect is going to be temporarily black teeth. It rinses off. Don’t worry.
Activated Charcoal vs Commercial White Strips
We already know why people are choosing activated charcoal over dentist administered whitening: money. The highest rated charcoal option on Amazon, goes for about $20, while the average Whitestrips go for $33.
One of the main reasons is time. Even the “express” strips from most whitestrips brands require at least an hour a day. They claim you can talk, eat, and drink during, but if you’ve ever used one, you know that’s a lie. Activated charcoal only takes about 2 minutes. You brush, you let it sit, you rinse, and you’re done.
The other advantage is the lack of chemicals. While strips are totally safe for your body, a lot of people don’t want bleach, peroxides, and whatever else might be in there eating away at their enamel and giving them sensitive teeth. Activated charcoal generally comes from very natural sources. While it is a manufactured substance, it’s safe and simple.
Lastly, activated charcoal just seems to work better. If you look through reviews of the whitestrips, you’ll see a lot of dissatisfied customers. Some even say it beat up their gums. With activated charcoal, the review section is filled with video testimonials and raving fans. Sure, it’s anecdotal, but if that many people have the same results, they’re doing something right.
A Word of Warning
Among the seemingly biased claims by dentists is one very serious one. Deactivated charcoal is not so safe to ingest. Since this is an all natural product, a lot of charcoal whitening products are unregulated. There’s no real way to be certain they sell you what they claim. Make sure you but from a popular, well regarded brand. Some that we recommend are Active Wow, Majestic Pure, and Dental Duty.
And remember: This isn’t a substitute for regular toothpaste or dental checkups. Don’t be nasty.