Activated charcoal on teeth – a new popular whitening method. Is it effective?

Activated charcoal for teeth? It turns out that popular diarrhea pills are used by some as a teeth whitening agent. However, brushing with charcoal is not a completely safe method; it can be too invasive for the teeth and cause damage, increase their sensitivity and susceptibility to pain. This disadvantage is eliminated by the black active charcoal toothpastes, which, due to their special consistency and appropriate concentration of charcoal, are gentler on enamel and additionally contain a number of other beneficial ingredients. However, a good quality black toothpaste costs a little more than a pack of medicinal charcoal. So what to choose – an economical option, but risky for the enamel, or a specialist product from a higher price range – effective and safe?

Activated charcoal for teeth – a peculiar way of whitening. Where did this idea come from?

Applying activated charcoal to your teeth is a rather peculiar, controversial and sometimes opposed (especially by dentists) home method of whitening enamel. Some may ask, where does the idea of using crushed tablets or powder from inside charcoal capsules to whiten teeth come from? Well, the idea is related to the physical properties of activated charcoal. It has an irregular, porous structure and a very large internal surface, and therefore has an excellent ability to absorb other substances.

Activated carbon strongly absorbs any liquids, dust or gases it encounters. Because of this property it is widely used for filtration and purification in various industrial areas. In the case of teeth, activated carbon assimilates substances that are deposited on the enamel surface as a result of eating certain foods or using stimulants such as coffee or tobacco. Thus, it neutralizes the deposits and stains responsible for the yellowish or grayish hue of teeth.

Read also: Happy Smile – a quick fix for a missing tooth

Activated charcoal – healing properties

Although there is more and more talk about the beneficial effect of activated carbon on teeth, its health properties cannot be ignored. They have made it a well-known pharmacy remedy helping with digestive system ailments. Undoubtedly, each of us has dealt with medicinal charcoal, available in the form of hard tablets or capsules with powdered material inside.

First of all, it is worth mentioning the high efficiency of activated charcoal in fighting diarrhea. Due to the above mentioned large internal surface and high absorption capacity, coal binds, absorbs, and then removes from the body bacteria or harmful substances responsible for the occurrence of diarrhea, thus stopping its symptoms.

Apart from its anti-diarrheal and constipating properties, medicinal charcoal also exhibits properties protecting the alimentary tract mucosa against harmful agents. It can also be helpful in removing flatulence and indigestion. Activated charcoal is also an effective agent in fighting poisoning – both food poisoning and poisoning caused by medicines and some chemical substances. After entering the body, medicinal charcoal captures toxins, then absorbs them so that they are then excreted with it (in the feces) from the body.

The ability to eliminate poisons and microorganisms is also reflected in the external application of activated carbon. It helps, among others, with: wounds, animal bites and stings, allergic skin reactions, ulcers, cuts – in each of these cases it soothes inflammation and accelerates healing. Due to the excellent cleansing and neutralizing properties of harmful bacteria and fungi, active charcoal is also useful when we suffer from acne, ringworm, when we struggle with blackheads, seborrhea, dandruff.

Activated charcoal in cosmetics

This popular product, which we can get in any pharmacy for a few zlotys, can be a very good basis for homemade cosmetics. Our skin will certainly benefit from it, especially oily, combination and acne-prone complexion. Activated charcoal can also be used on hair and body. Here are some examples of homemade cosmetics with coal:

Charcoal mask for the face

Charcoal mask will thoroughly cleanse our complexion, help unblock pores, get rid of excess sebum and remove blackheads, reduce calloused epidermis, and in case we struggle with acne, it will neutralize bacteria and fungi, soothe inflammation, eliminate pimples.

The simplest activated charcoal mask can be prepared by combining 2 crushed charcoal tablets (or powdered contents of 2 capsules) with a bit of water. Mix until a thick paste is obtained, then apply to your face. Wash off in about 15 minutes.

Hair mask with active charcoal

Owners of oily hair and people struggling with seborrhea and dandruff will undoubtedly appreciate the benefits of a hair mask with medicinal charcoal. This homemade cosmetic will perfectly deal with microbes on the scalp, minimize the amount of sebum, cleanse your hair and skin thoroughly, smooth the hair and add volume to your hairstyle.

How to prepare a homemade charcoal hair mask? Combine a small bowl of light, non-greasy, silicone-free conditioner and 1 crushed activated charcoal tablet (or the contents of 1 capsule). Mix together and then apply the paste to your hair. Rinse after 15 minutes.

Homemade body scrub with activated charcoal

An express way to deeply cleanse and improve the condition of your skin? Homemade active carbon scrub, which can be prepared from 3 simple ingredients. Thanks to the scrub you will get rid of impurities and toxins from your skin and remove dead skin cells. Our skin will regain its smoothness, vitality, even colour and a radiant, healthy look.

A simple recipe for active carbon scrub: pour 2 tablespoons of olive oil into a bowl, add 2 tablespoons of sugar and a few powdered active carbon tablets, mix. Massage selected body parts with scrub, rinse.

Activated charcoal for teeth

Dreaming of a snow-white smile and at the same time wanting to avoid expensive dental treatments, we often reach for various home methods of teeth whitening. One of the most popular recently is the use of home toothpaste based on activated charcoal. This is a method which has as many supporters as opponents. Some are satisfied with the effects and highlight such advantages as: thorough cleaning of teeth, removal of deposits, brightening of enamel, revealing the natural shade of teeth. Others, on the other hand, see a whole range of drawbacks that come with treating enamel with this medication.

The most commonly mentioned disadvantages of whitening with activated charcoal are: damage to enamel, loss of the natural protective barrier of the teeth and an increase in their sensitivity, increased toothache after eating hot and cold foods and drinks, problems with thorough rinsing out of the charcoal, a large amount of black stains from the charcoal (on clothes, on the skin, within the bathroom). It is worth adding that the more intensive and the more frequent scrubbing of teeth with coal, the greater the likelihood of destruction of enamel, as well as an increase in tooth sensitivity and increased susceptibility to cavities.

Read also: Teeth whitening at home

How to whiten your teeth with charcoal?

If, despite many disadvantages of this method, you decide to whiten your teeth with charcoal in tablets or capsules, you should be careful. First of all remember not to brush too intensively (rather very gently), not for too long (about 2 minutes) and not too often – preferably once every few days. Instead of gentle brushing, you can also use an even less invasive method – apply the pap to the enamel, do not brush, wait a few minutes and rinse the mouth.

Whitening teeth with charcoal and coconut oil

How to make a homemade coal paste? You can add a bit of plain water to crushed coal tablets and brush your teeth with this paste, but a better solution is to use coconut oil in place of water. It will improve the consistency of the paste, make it more delicate, and additionally strengthen the barrier against bacteria and freshen the breath.

Mix 1 crushed charcoal tablet or the contents of one capsule with 1 teaspoon of coconut oil. Apply the paste on your teeth for a few minutes, rinse your mouth.

Activated charcoal or whitening toothpaste with charcoal?

Activated charcoal applied on enamel may lead to its weakening, erosion and damage, on the other hand, it may contribute to the elimination of stains and deposits caused by coffee, tea, juices, cigarettes, and affect the brightening of teeth.

For those who don’t want to risk it, but at the same time would like to try carbon as a whitening agent, a better option is black toothpaste. There are more and more products of this type on the market, with Whitify Carbon being one of the highest rated. Its advantage is a great selection of active ingredients and their optimal concentration – carbon combined with these elements proves to be an effective way to white teeth.

Also check out the system for whitening teeth at home: Whitify

Black Charcoal Toothpaste – opinions

People who have switched from activated charcoal to activated charcoal toothpaste generally find the latter method to be much better, less invasive, more convenient. Black toothpastes are also highly rated by people who have already tried many of the standard whitening toothpastes available on the market – according to them, a good quality black charcoal toothpaste far surpasses their effectiveness. New users with little experience with whitening products also appreciate the benefits of charcoal toothpastes.

How long after using the black active charcoal toothpaste can we expect the results in the form of whitening of enamel and reduction of stains? In most cases, the results appear relatively quickly – after the first application of toothpaste you can clearly see the whitening of teeth, with each subsequent application the effects are more and more visible. However, the final effect is affected by several factors, including the severity of dental plaque and the quality of black toothpaste used.

The most frequently cited advantages of black toothpastes are:

• effective removal of dental plaque;
• elimination of discolouration;
• change in the shade of teeth – from yellowish or greyish to white;
• clear enamel brightening;
• Effect of shiny, polished enamel;
• pleasant effect of thoroughly cleaned teeth;
• safety of use;
• good price in relation to expensive whitening treatments in dental offices;
• lack of side effects such as deterioration of the enamel, increased tooth sensitivity;
• fast effects – teeth whiter with each application;
• comfort of use – easy application, no dirt, no need to crush charcoal tablets and prepare the paste.

The advantages of black pastes with active charcoal are indisputable, which is confirmed by an increasing number of positive comments. Although black toothpastes are mostly safe for the enamel, it is worth using them in moderation – not too often, preferably several times a week, interchangeable with traditional toothpastes.

See also: Ranking of black toothpastes