Looking to whiten your teeth naturally? This this DIY activated charcoal teeth whitening paste may not seem like the likeliest candidate for the job, but it helps gently lift stains without sensitivity.

Brushing teeth with charcoal!?

I know… it sounds a little nutty, right?

“Here, rub this black stuff all over your teeth. It will make them white. Oh and don’t get it on anything else — like your clothes or on tile grout — because it will stain. But don’t worry, it will make your teeth white.”

I promise this isn’t some April Fool’s joke that I forgot to edit with a big “GOTCHA!” come April 2nd.

As unlikely of a candidate as it may seem, activated charcoal gently lifts stains from teeth, leaving your pearly whites just that — pearly white!

So how exactly does it work?

Let’s take a closer look at this powerful and popular natural remedy for everything from stomach bloating to discolored teeth…

Activated charcoal is a pretty amazing ingredient.

No, it’s not the same as regular ol’ charcoal — I’m sorry to say that you can’t just run out to the BBQ and grab a chunk of charcoal for this recipe (that would be pretty convenient)!

Activated charcoal is made specifically for medicinal use and designed to be extremely porous. These pores allow the charcoal to absorb and trap impurities.

For this reason, it’s actually used in hospitals to treat poisonings.

This also makes activated charcoal a must-have natural remedy that belongs in every holistic medicine cabinet.

Not only is it incredibly handy for those times when your delicious dinner out leaves you bloated and gassy, or when you’ve had a bit too much to drink (seriously, best way to prevent a hangover ever… well, besides not drinking too much), BUT it also helps to keep pores clear and teeth white.

RELATED | DIY All-Natural Blackhead Busting Blackout Mask

When you use activated charcoal for teeth whitening, it gently lifts stains away.

It essentially absorbs the impurities that are staining your teeth, pulling them from the enamel.

Pretty cool, right!?

So what’s the best way to use activated charcoal for a brighter smile?

Take a quick look around the world wide web and you’ll find all sorts of different activated charcoal teeth whitening methods.

This simple charcoal teeth whitening DIY paste is one of my favorites since it also includes other ingredients that naturally improve oral health.

• Coconut and sesame seed oil: commonly used for oil pulling, these oils bind to bacteria in the mouth which then get spit out along with the oil
• Peppermint essential oil: leaves breath fresh while also helping minimize bacteria
• Baking soda: neutralizes odor and helps gently polish stains away

RELATED | Oil Pulling: Everything You Need to Know

DIY Activated Charcoal Teeth Whitening Paste

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup coconut oil, solid but at room temperature
• 2 tbs sesame oil
• 1 tbs baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon loose activated charcoal OR 3 capsules activated charcoal
• 10 drops peppermint essential oil

You’ll also need a small glass jar to store your paste and a toothbrush that you don’t mind getting stained black! I suggest designating a specific toothbrush for this very purpose.

Directions:

• Add the coconut oil and sesame oil to a medium-sized glass* mixing bowl. Combine using the back of a clean fork until a consistent paste.
• Add the baking soda, activated charcoal, and essential oil to the oil paste. Stir (preferably with a non-metal utensil*) to combine.
• Transfer your paste into a small glass* jar or container.
• Apply a generous amount of the paste to your toothbrush and brush as usual.
• Bask in the beauty of your pearly whites!

*Best not to use a metal mixing bowl or metal utensils with activated charcoal since it attracts metals. This will render the charcoal less effective when it comes to teeth whitening!

Be very careful not to get the paste in any tile grout since it will stain. Or on your clothes. Or towels! You’ll also notice that it makes any previously invisible grime in your sink extremely obvious! Not to worry – simply brush or scrub down your sink as usual and it will wash away.

And it is best to avoid activated charcoal for teeth whitening if you have crowns, caps, or porcelain veneers as it may cause discoloration.

Frequently asked questions:

How often should you use this charcoal teeth whitening paste?

Since the baking soda activated charcoal is slightly abrasive, I recommend using it no more than twice a week.

I also recommend using the paste at night since the charcoal can get stuck between your teeth and gums, making them appear black. Don’t worry! This will go away after you brush your teeth in the morning — in time for you to show those naturally healthy, pearly whites off to the rest of the world!

Can you brush your teeth with activated charcoal everyday?

I don’t recommend brushing your teeth with charcoal everyday since it can be abrasive.

How long does it take for activated charcoal to whiten teeth?

I started seeing noticeably whiter teeth after using this DIY Activated Charcoal Teeth Whitening Paste twice a week for 3 weeks.

Have you used activated charcoal to whiten your teeth?

Please share your experience and any tips with us in the comments below!