Sometimes I find myself smack dab in the middle of a natural remedy and think, “I’ve really gone off the deep end.”

Sitting in a tub of apple cider vinegar… instinctively grabbing honey when I have any sort of skin issue (and then shamelessly licking my fingers after applying)… brushing black black BLACK activated charcoal on my teeth.

But then I remember why I’m doing it: because it works!

Quite fabulously, actually. And to boot, it protects me from the unnecessary chemicals that would otherwise be employed in this modern world of ours. So I keep on truckin’, even though sometimes I feel like a huge weirdo.

The weirdest of the weird would have to be the activated charcoal teeth brushing.

Needless to say, activated charcoal is an unlikely all-natural teeth whitener.

I mean, it’s BLACK! And you want your teeth to be white…

At first glance, this just doesn’t add up.

But activated charcoal is not run-of-the-mill charcoal from the BBQ out back.

It is made specifically for medicinal use. To make activated charcoal, manufacturers heat common charcoal in the presence of a gas that causes the charcoal to become very porous. These pores allow activated charcoal to trap impurities. It is used to treat poisonings, intestinal gas, nausea, and bile flow issues (cholestasis) during pregnancy. It also works wonders for the skin when applied topically: it keeps skin clear by acting as a magnet to draw dirt out of pores.

Just as activated charcoal helps lift trapped gunk from your pores with the Blackhead Busting Blackout Mask, it also helps lift stains from teeth. Very effectively, I might add. Activated charcoal readily absorbs tannins, which are the guiltiest party when it comes to teeth stains (tannins are found in coffee, tea, wine, etc.), leaving you with perfectly pearly whites.

Even better, activated charcoal doesn’t absorb the calcium salts found in tooth enamel, meaning it does not cause any damage or sensitivity.

So how to use activated charcoal to whiten your teeth?

1) Add about 1/2 teaspoon of powdered activated charcoal (or one capsule) to 1 teaspoon of water or coconut oil, mix it up, dip your brush into the mix and brush it on your teeth in gentle circles for 2-4 minutes. Spit it out and rinse your mouth well.

2) Add about 1/2 teaspoon 1/2 teaspoon of powdered activated charcoal (or one capsule) to 2 teaspoons of water, mix it up, take it into your mouth, and hold it against the front of your mouth (so it’s between the front of your teeth and your closed lips) for 2-4 minutes. Spit it out and rinse your mouth well.

Some important points:

Do not get the charcoal on anything other than your toothbrush, your teeth, and your sink! It will stain. If your sink is even the tiniest bit dirty, it will stick to whatever is in your sink but will come off easily with a light scrub.

Do not apply the dry powder on your teeth. You may breathe it in which is no good (think: miners’ “black lung”).

Have you tried using activated charcoal to naturally whiten your teeth?

Or do you want to try it?

Please report back with your results!