You’ve probably heard of using charcoal for teeth whitening. It’s the new wonder ingredient that everyone seems to be talking about! But you must be wondering, does it really work?
Does Charcoal Work For Teeth Whitening?
The short answer to this is yes, charcoal really does work for teeth whitening! However, it is activated charcoal, not just plain old charcoal, that is used either in DIY recipes or in teeth whitening products. Activated charcoal is a powder that is “activated” by being oxidized at a very high temperature. As a result, it becomes very porous. The activated charcoal’s pores bind with surface stains and plaques on your teeth, so when it is removed, it takes the stains and the plaques with it.
How To Use Charcoal For Teeth Whitening?
It is quick and easy to use charcoal for teeth whitening. You don’t need any extra ingredients, just activated charcoal and water. Once you’ve secured some activated charcoal powder, mix it with warm water to form a paste. Apply the paste directly onto your teeth. Don’t rub the mixture onto your teeth, rather, dab or tap it on. Leave the activated charcoal paste on your teeth for three to five minutes. This way, it has time to bind with any stains and plaques that might be present. When the time is up, thoroughly rinse your mouth out and brush your teeth with your usual toothpaste.
You can also use charcoal for teeth whitening by buying teeth whitening products that have charcoal as an active ingredient. This is a gentler way of using activated charcoal. Out of the many activated charcoal toothpaste available, I recommend the HiWhite Charcoal Toothpaste, which comes in three different flavors – black mint, coco mint, and licorice mint. If you can’t choose which flavor you want, they also have a Toothpaste Trio package available for sale! Aside from activated charcoal, HiWhite Charcoal toothpaste contains sodium fluoride, which helps prevent cavities and tooth decay and soothes teeth sensitivity.
The Dangers of Charcoal For Teeth Whitening
While there are many pros to using activated charcoal for teeth whitening, there are some cons as well. Research shows that because of its abrasive nature, activated charcoal may wear down tooth enamel, revealing the yellow dentin layer underneath. It may also cause tooth sensitivity. For those with veneers, bridges, crowns, and white fillings, be careful, as charcoal can stain rather than clean.
How Often Should You Brush Your Teeth With Charcoal?
Because of the dangers of using charcoal for teeth whitening, it is best to strictly follow any instructions indicated by the manufacturers of teeth whitening products that have charcoal as an active ingredient. If you’re going for the DIY route, dentists say that it is best to use activated charcoal once daily for 3 to 5 consecutive days, every 3 to 4 months. Activated charcoal is NOT meant to be a part of your daily oral hygiene routine.
How Long Does It Take For Charcoal To Whiten Teeth?
The timing of results may vary for a number of reasons. For example, it can depend on how often you use activated charcoal to whiten your teeth, and it can also depend on personal factors like genetics, lifestyle habits, and the type of stains on your teeth. Some people see results within the first week of use, however, most people will notice a brighter, whiter smile after a few months.
What Else Works For Teeth Whitening?
Instead of using charcoal, you can try teeth whitening products with other active ingredients. Better yet, you can visit a professional for teeth whitening services!
Teeth Whitening Products
There are many teeth whitening products available, but I recommend BrilliantSmileTM Sweden’s Oral Care Range. Brilliant Smile is a trusted Swedish Brand, and their products are the gold standard of teeth whitening. You can choose from their selection of toothpaste, mouthwashes, and premium teeth whitening kits here!
Teeth Whitening Salon
Visit a trusted teeth whitening salon like The Smile Bar! Book an appointment with them and experience the fastest, most effective, and safest teeth whitening system in the Philippines.
Unlike when using charcoal, when you go for a teeth whitening session at The Smile Bar, you don’t have to wait a long time for a brighter, whiter smile. The Smile Bar promises to turn your teeth anywhere between 2 to 9 shades lighter in as little as 20 minutes – with zero pain and no side effects! The Smile Bar uses hydrogen peroxide as an active ingredient at a perfect concentration where no abrasions are caused, but organic stains are still removed when activated by an LED Plasma Light.
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What Is The Safest And Most Effective Way To Whiten Teeth?
Out of all the teeth whitening options listed above, visiting a teeth whitening salon is the safest, most effective way to get whiter teeth. While you might have to spend more than you would compared to if you chose to use whitening charcoal, when you go to a teeth whitening salon, you are sure to have a high-quality and safe teeth whitening session.