As a child, I wouldn’t dare… however, as an adult I am asking Santa to bring me some coal (activated charcoal that is). Hopefully Santa has access to my Amazon wishlist (crossing fingers!) Now why in the world would I be asking for activated charcoal…

What is Activated Charcoal?

Activated charcoal comes in capsule or powder form and works through a process called adsorption. Instead of absorbing like a sponge, it adsorbs (binds with / attaches to) certain compounds and removes stains from the teeth (especially for tea, coffee, and wine drinkers… hi it’s me.) It also balances the ph of the mouth and can prevent cavities, tooth decay and gingivitis. Activated charcoal is sourced from coconuts or hardwood (this is not the charcoal from your BBQ or firepit).

How to Whiten Teeth with Activated Charcoal

I recommend doing this process during a shower for less mess and easy clean up. Activated charcoal will whiten your teeth, while it turns everything else black (grout, clothes, etc.).

Brush teeth with your regular toothpaste or plain baking soda [or try my non-toxic toothpaste]. This is to clear plaque and germs out of the mouth so that the activated charcoal can work its magic on the teeth.

Next, hop in the shower and add about 1/8 teaspoon or 1 capsule to toothbrush and spread onto teeth. Let it sit on the teeth for a few minutes. (It will look like you ate too many Oreos.) Spit and rinse it out while in the shower.

After the shower, brush teeth with regular toothpaste to remove any residue and swish with 3% hydrogen peroxide. I find that brushing once or twice is often enough to get rid of any black residue.

Enjoy your pearly whites! Some see results instantly and some will see results after a few uses!

Psst… some extra tips

How often can you use Activated Charcoal? I started out by doing this process once per day for a week and now I usually use it once per month if needed. Also, I already have activated charcoal in my toothpaste and tooth powder recipes, so I do get a little bit daily.

Happy Tooth Whitening 🙂

Do you whiten your teeth? What natural remedies do you use to keep your teeth pearly white?