Charcoal has been putting the beauty industry in a spin over the last couple of years, with charcoal toothpaste, facial scrubs, cleansers and facial masks all growing in popularity.
It’s hard to believe, but thanks to charcoal toothpaste, turning your teeth black can actually make them whiter.
Find out why you should ditch your normal toothpaste and give the black stuff a try…
The benefits of charcoal toothpaste
Most people would admit that their teeth aren’t brilliant-white, with 7 out of 10 people in a 2013 survey saying they wanted whiter teeth.
Reasons for a brighter smile included wanting to look younger and boosting self-esteem.
With no added ingredients, charcoal toothpaste is a natural teeth whitener with cleansing properties.
It can help to brighten teeth by reducing plaque and the stains caused by smoking and drinking tea, coffee and red wine.
It can also give you a fresher feeling by combatting the bacteria that causes bad breath.
How does charcoal whiten teeth?
The charcoal found in charcoal toothpaste, beauty products and supplements isn’t the same charcoal you’d use to fuel your BBQ.
The charcoal in toothpaste is ‘activated charcoal’ which is made when charcoal is heated with a gas which causes it to expand and pores to be created.
These pores absorb toxins and other substances, such as tartar, with the result being whiter teeth.
You must only use activated charcoal as a beauty product; non-activated charcoal could cause you harm. Always read instructions when using products containing charcoal.
Ecodenta Extra Black Whitening Toothpaste
Ecodenta is a fluoride-free, charcoal toothpaste.
It contains Teavigo™, a natural green tea extract, which helps to protect against tartar and provides cleansing benefits.
Your teeth should feel fresher and cleaner from the very first time you use it.
How to whiten your teeth with activated charcoal
1
Apply to brush
Apply a small amount to your toothbrush.
2
Brush gently
Brush your teeth gently for 2-3 minutes, like you would with any regular toothpaste.
The texture can seem very unusual at first, as it’s not as smooth as traditional toothpaste. Its natural qualities mean that it’s incredibly effective at picking up plaque and reaching bacteria in hard-to-reach places.
3
Swill thoroughly
Swill with coconut oil. This natural ‘pulling’ mouthwash is a great alternative to peroxide whitening strips and trays. Swill around your mouth for five minutes or so, gradually working up to 15 minutes.
4
Wait before rinsing
Don't rinse your mouth with water straight away so that you get the full effect of the charcoal pulling.
You only need to swill once a day - we recommend doing this just before bedtime so it can work while you sleep.
This ensures deep-rooted bacteria is reduced, whilst also preventing the build-up of plaque, and starting the stain removal process.
To find out more about how oil pulling works, read our article: What is oil pulling and what are its benefits?
Looking for other natural ways to whiten your teeth? Check out 10 of the best teeth whitening products.
Last updated: 16 September 2021
