Does Charcoal Whiten Your Teeth,

Charcoal has quickly become the go-to ingredient to whiten teeth. And if YouTube or Instagram testimonials are anything to go by, the answer to it working is a resounding 'yes'. But does it really work the miracles that it promises as a natural teeth whitener and is it safe to use, How does charcoal actually work, The most effective type of charcoal is the activated form, a reheated, oxidised version of the charcoal that you put on the BBQ. The theory is that activated charcoal has an adhesive quality that binds to everything in its path, such as stains, tartar and bacteria, and works by drawing out and absorbing toxins and chemicals into its millions of tiny pores. But by all means don't use charcoal from the BBQ, the non-activated form, as it can be toxic, warns Dr Marques. But does charcoal really whiten teeth and is it safe, Dr Marques. He recommends using activated charcoal powder, toothpaste or mouthwash.

However, some dentists warn against using this method of teeth whitening and say that charcoal may lead to enamel deterioration and tooth erosion. According to Dr Adam, there's actually no evidence to date that activated charcoal does any good for your teeth. When it comes to teeth whitening, Brits spend more than £100 million a year on products alone. We all know the usual culprits that stain our teeth, such as smoking, drinking red wine and coffee, but what's the truth behind natural teeth whitening products, Strawberries have an abundance of a 'magic' malic acid, which naturally cleans and whitens the teeth, even though they're red, advises Dr Marques. They do however contain citric acid, which can weaken the surface hardness of your teeth, says Dr Thorne. But the riper the strawberry becomes, the higher the concentration of malic acid compared to the more harmful citric acid. This technique, also known as oil pulling, is likely to lessen the bacterial load in the mouth and has been shown to improve the health of the gums and whiten teeth, says Dr Thorne.

Green tea will actually stain your teeth, says Dr Thorne. Baking soda is a natural teeth whitener, says Dr Marques. It can help to whiten teeth through its alkaline cleansing action, and is now included in many toothpastes. He suggests mixing a quarter of a teaspoon of baking soda with water and applying this to your teeth with your toothbrush. Salmon can't actually whiten your teeth, although Dr Thorne recommends eating it to keep your teeth healthy. Apples, much like strawberries, contain malic acid, and along with their abrasiveness can help to whiten teeth. Citrus is cleansing and can help to maintain white teeth, says Dr Marques. Cheese can mechanically clean teeth, as it's a natural cleanser, says Dr Marques. It has the added bonus of strengthening the tooth enamel and structure due to it being high in calcium. But opt for hard cheeses, such as cheddar, and be careful of blue and soft cheeses, which can cause breath odour, he advises.

Oil pulling is an ancient method of promoting whiter and healthier teeth that has recently become very popular. Coconut oil contains lauric acid, which naturally kills bad bacteria that can yellow your teeth. It is also said that the oil pulling technique can remove toxins from your body and promote healthy gums. While not a traditional whitening agent, the coconut oil creates a barrier on your teeth that prevents plaque and stains from sticking. Simply place a tablespoon of coconut oil (the solid oil will melt quickly in your mouth, but liquid oil is also available) in your mouth and swish it, pulling it through your teeth, for about 15 minutes. When finished, spit the used oil into the trash can. Although 15 minutes can seem like a long time, doing this while getting dressed or performing other chores makes it easier. Apple cider vinegar is one of the world’s best natural cleaning products, and it works for your teeth as well. Dilute the vinegar by mixing one part with one part water.

Use as a natural mouthwash, swishing for about 30 seconds to 1 minute. Apple cider vinegar naturally removes difficult stains from your teeth, although it takes a while to see results. It does not have the same whitening agent as some of the other options. After one month of regular use, your teeth will be gleaming white and beautiful. It’s important to rinse your mouth with water after using the apple cider vinegar method, to ensure that the acid in the vinegar doesn’t damage your tooth enamel. Strawberries aren’t typically the first thing that comes to mind when one thinks about whitening their teeth, but the malic acid present in this fruit works wonderfully to remove stubborn stains from coffee, tea, and smoking. It’s even a favorite method of actress Catherine Zeta-Jones to keep her teeth naturally and beautifully white. To do this, simply mash or blend 2-3 strawberries and add 1-2 teaspoons of baking soda until you’ve formed a thick paste. Use a clean cloth to remove excess saliva from teeth and then apply the paste.