As a coffee lover and a former smoker, I have been searching for natural ways to whiten my stained teeth. While most of the ones I tried were quite ineffective and often abrasive, I found out that activated charcoal is a safe, effective option.
The thought of using charcoal in your mouth may sound scary, however activated charcoal has been processed with oxygen and either zinc chloride or calcium chloride. When charcoal is purified through this process it becomes safe and is widely used in hospitals and medical facilities as a poison remedy.
The concept behind using activated charcoal to whiten teeth lies in the binding ability of charcoal. Activated charcoal attracts the tannins, a group of compounds that is found in stains (caused by coffee, herbal tea, foods, etc.). With dedicated use, you should be able to see results in only a few weeks. The advantages of using this method are the cost, how safe it is, and that it does not cause any enamel damage. However, for better and quicker results, you should also try to limit your coffee intake.
Things you need:
1 toothbrush
1 capsule of activated charcoal
Water (for rinsing your mouth)
1 cup to spit the charcoal
The process will likely get your sink dirty, so you may want to have cleansing supplies on hand.
How to:
1. Brush your teeth as usual.
2. Wet your toothbrush and rest it on a clean paper towel sheet, to prevent spilling the powder.
3. Open the charcoal capsule and pour some powder on the toothbrush.
4. Brush your teeth with the charcoal powder for a few minutes.
5. If you need to spit, you may want to do it in a cup, as charcoal can temporarily stain your sink.
6. Rinse your mouth thoroughly to get rid of all the black residue.
Charcoal Toothbrush
Another way to brush your teeth with activated charcoal is by using the Rikumo Binchotan Charcoal Toothbrush. Binchotan is known as the highest quality activated charcoal for its chemical-absorbing properties, and it is sourced in Japan. Using this toothbrush helps to remove plaque, preventing bad breath and deodorizing your mouth.
**Warning
I have safely used activated charcoal on my veneers, but you should consult your dentist before using this method if you have any crowns, veneers, etc. to make sure that the materials used for you are not going to be damaged by the activated charcoal.
Photo credits: Lilly Wallace