The 7 Best Charcoal Toothpastes

It's been used in water filters and stomach ache supplements for decades, but in the past few years, the activated charcoal trend has blown up like nobody's business. It's one thing to smear something on your face, and another entirely to put it in your mouth. It's natural that one would have some questions. For one, does charcoal actually work to whiten your teeth, I've been using only charcoal toothpaste for several months now, and I can confidently say that my teeth are in fact whiter and brighter. Because activated charcoal (aka activated carbon) has huge absorption capacities, it's been used in hospitals and in the medical field to soak up heavy metals and treat overdoses. The logic, then, is that it uses these same absorption qualities to essentially soak up stains, odors, and bacteria in the mouth. The market is loaded with all kinds of charcoal whitening products right now, like powders and detox solutions. The downside, however, is that this process can be a little messy.

That's why I opt for a toothpaste on a daily basis; they're usually a bit cleaner, and they're typically infused with essential oils and flavors that leave a refreshing, clean taste in your mouth. This Cali White toothpaste is vegan-friendly and free of gluten, peroxide, parabens, and triclosan for those who like to keep a close eye on their labels. All the flavors are natural and the coconut oil is certified organic (preserving even more of the antibacterial properties). The food-grade activated charcoal is even combined with baking soda to amp up all the whitening abilities without any of the sensitivity. No wonder reviewers call it the "best one yet" as far as whitening and freshness. This Bright Up activated charcoal toothpaste has over a thousand reviews because people are loving how gentle it is. It uses only vegan and eco-friendly ingredients to remove stains from coffee, tea, and tobacco. If you're looking to jump on the charcoal bandwagon, but you're on a budget, this Dental Expert toothpaste offers all the whitening qualities at a great price.

It uses gentle ingredients (like peppermint and clove oil) that are safe for freshening up sensitive teeth, and it skips the artificial colors and harsh chemicals. My personal choice for charcoal toothpaste is My Magic Mud, because it uses a combination of genius ingredients that work wonders. Bentonite clay (another absorbent powder) to further soak up stains and odors, while mint essential oils leave your mouth feeling extra fresh. Then there's coconut oil, which fights bacteria and detoxes teeth, and has even been shown to significant decrease plaque buildup. Plus, it's gluten-free and Paleo, which is important to me personally. If you're concerned about quality, this PINAKKLE toothpaste is made entirely in the USA, and is FDA Registered, cGMP certified, and produced in a high-quality facility. Its ingredients are pronounceable and clear — Diatomaceus earth to absorb stains, baking soda to whiten, Xylitol to freshen breath, and coconut oil and tea tree to fight bacteria. Reviewers also say that their teeth are less sensitive, their breath is fresher, and their mouth looks and feels so much cleaner. It also uses tea tree (which is a naturally antibacterial and antifungal essential oil) to fight bad breath odors. Xylitol is another solid ingredient on this list, which according to dentists, stops dry mouth by getting you to produce more saliva, therefore flushing out bacteria. Best of all, people say it whitens just as well as the rest of them.

Sally is a 29 year old writer with a passion for health and wellness, frugal living, and culinary arts. In her free time she enjoys playing with her two English bulldogs. One of the most common and most effective methods for at-home teeth whitening is using baking soda and lemon juice; ingredients that are already present in most kitchens. Simply mix the lemon juice with the baking soda to create a paste; try one tablespoon of the lemon juice at first and then add more as needed to create a thick paste. Using a clean cloth, dry your teeth and remove excess saliva. Then, apply the paste to each tooth, rubbing gently. Allow the paste to sit for one minute in a tray and thoroughly rinse your mouth. This can be done once a week to whiten teeth naturally and remove stains from coffee, tea, fruits or smoking. Once the desired level of whiteness is achieved, use this method once every month or two to maintain your bright smile. Lemon juice can have an impact on your enamel, so be cautious and note any tooth sensitivity when trying this method.

Another excellent whitening process can be done using baking soda and your regular everyday toothpaste. Simply mix one part toothpaste with one part baking soda and brush your teeth normally. The added baking soda works as a gentle abrasive to remove surface stains from your teeth that are often left behind from certain foods or drinks. Be sure to rinse your mouth thoroughly after every brushing. Hydrogen peroxide is a wonderful product for whitening teeth and extremely inexpensive. It’s also perfectly safe to use as a mouthwash. Mix one part hydrogen peroxide with one part of your normal everyday mouthwash. Swish with this mouthwash mixture for 30 seconds to 1 minute after brushing your teeth. The hydrogen peroxide will remove deeper stains as well as surface stains to naturally whiten and brighten your teeth. If hydrogen peroxide and baking soda are both such great whitening agents, it just makes sense to add them together for a powerful at-home whitener. Simply mix one part hydrogen peroxide with one part baking soda and use in place of your normal toothpaste. This can be done once a day for fresher breath and whiter teeth.