There are a lot of toothpaste and natural health companies jumping on the bandwagon with activated charcoal toothpastes and whitening pastes.The traditional way to whiten your teeth is to crush a charcoal tablet in water and use it to make a paste.The American Dental Association warns that using activated charcoal can lead to increased tooth sensitivity.
Step 1: Your dentist can give you advice.
Schedule an appointment with your dentist before you start using activated charcoal.Let them know that you would like to use activated charcoal to whiten your teeth.They can recommend products.If activated charcoal can harm your teeth or gums, your dentist can tell you about it.
Step 2: Try a toothpaste with activated charcoal first.
It is easier to clean off your teeth with an activated charcoal toothpaste.If you've never tried activated charcoal before, you might want to start with a toothbrush.Toothpastes don't stay in contact with your teeth long enough, so they're not effective at lightening teeth.If you smoke or drink coffee, you may see a difference in your teeth after using an activated charcoal toothpaste.
Step 3: You can make your own paste with tablets.
Pre-made branded products are usually more expensive than your own activated charcoal paste.Other ingredients in pre-made products may make activated charcoal less effective.Online and at some health and beauty stores, activated charcoal tablets are available.In capsule form, activated charcoal is also available.If you want to use the charcoal on your teeth, you need to open the capsule.Make sure the tablets you buy are safe to use in your mouth by reading the information on the package.Depending on how finely you crush up the charcoal, paste made with tablets can be more abrasive than branded activated charcoal products.
Step 4: Activated charcoal can be crushed into a cup or bowl.
Drop a single tablet of activated charcoal into a small cup or bowl from the bottle.You could use the back of a spoon to crush it up.The less abrasive the paste, the more the activated charcoal is.Don't leave any large or jagged pieces of charcoal, as these could damage your teeth or gums.
Step 5: The water will form a paste over the charcoal.
Once you've crushed up the activated charcoal, mix it with water to make a paste-like consistency.Adding water and crushing charcoal will make your paste less abrasive.You should only add a small amount of water at a time.The paste won't stick to your teeth if it becomes too watery.
Step 6: You can apply the paste to your teeth with a toothbrush.
You can brush the exposed surfaces of your teeth with a soft toothbrush.Light pressure will keep you from scrubbing too hard.The bristles of the toothbrush you use to brush your teeth will become stained, and small bits of charcoal will get trapped in the bristles, so be sure to use a different toothbrush.The softer the bristles, the less abrasive the toothbrush will be.A child's toothbrush has softer bristles than an adult toothbrush.
Step 7: Leave the paste on your teeth for 3 minutes.
Wait for 3 minutes to allow the charcoal to do its job after you've covered your teeth.When you are no longer spitting charcoal fragments, rinse your mouth with cool water.If you rinse with water, you may want to rinse your mouth with a regular rinse.You may not be able to leave activated charcoal in your mouth for 3 minutes when you first start.Work your way up after 1 minute.
Step 8: After using activated charcoal, brush and floss.
It's not the same as brushing and flossing your teeth, and it doesn't take the place of regular dental hygiene.Even if you use activated charcoal, you should still brush your teeth at least twice a day.When brushing your teeth after using activated charcoal, make sure to check your gum and teeth.If your teeth feel rough or more sensitive than usual, you should stop your charcoal treatments.
Step 9: Most of the time, you should treat your teeth with activated charcoal.
Repeated treatments of activated charcoal will damage your teeth.You can't get it back once you lose it.Cumulative damage is mitigated by using activated charcoal sparingly.The removal of stains from your teeth is one of the benefits of activated charcoal.If you wait a couple of weeks, the charcoal won't start eating away at your teeth.
Step 10: You can make your own toothpaste with natural ingredients.
Baking soda and hydrogen peroxide can be used to whiten teeth.You can dip your toothbrush in hydrogen peroxide and baking soda.After brushing your teeth, rinse them well.Baking soda is not as abrasive as activated charcoal.Don't use this treatment as a substitute for brushing and flossing if you use it more than 2 or 3 times a week.
Step 11: Drink water with dark foods.
Coffee, red wine, and other dark foods can stain your teeth.If you drink water, it will help to remove the stains from your mouth.Smoking can stain your teeth.If you want to quit smoking, consider cutting back on your tobacco use.Smoker's toothpaste is designed to fight tobacco stains.
Step 12: You should eat foods that clean your teeth.
Without resorting to harsh treatments, the types of food you eat can help lighten your smile.If you want to brush the surface of your teeth, fill up on raw foods such as apples and celery.These foods can help prevent gum disease and removebacteria from your mouth.
Step 13: Try pulling the oil from your teeth.
For 1 minute after brushing and flossing, you should sprinkle coconut, sunflower, or sesame oil.After spitting out the oil, rinse your mouth thoroughly.Oil pulling can help remove stains from your teeth and give you a brighter smile.There are no scientific studies that show oil pulling is beneficial for your oral health or that it will help whiten your teeth.Although oil pulling isn't harmful to your teeth, you should still consult your dentist before trying it.
Step 14: Talk to your dentist about ways to whiten your face.
Whitening treatments at your dentist's office are the only way to get a whiter smile.Some of the methods may be covered by your dental insurance.Your dentist can talk to you about why your teeth are discolored.Whitening treatments won't help with some discoloration.