Charcoal vs. Activated Charcoal
Detoxifying the body now and then has become something impetuous these days and whether you use skin products or juice cleanses, anywhere you look around you will see a new way of cleansing the body. Even if activated charcoal doesn’t exactly sound like something you would necessarily want to put in or on your body, well, you should find out that there is a reason for which so many people are using it. That reason is the fact that activated charcoal is detoxifying.
Because activated charcoal is very porous, it is sometimes used in emergency rooms to treat different kinds of poisoning and overdose. How will it work? Simple; it will just soak up the poison and this way it will prevent it from being absorbed in the stomach.
Ways you can use activated charcoal to enhance overall health
Even if you traditionally find charcoal in hospitals and poison control centers to treat accidental or voluntary poisoning/drug overdoses, it seems that its latest uses are a bit different. Activated charcoal made its way to the health and beauty market, and you can see it popping up in everything these days from face cleansers and masks to detox regimens.
- Activated charcoal relieves bloating and gas discomfort
In case you are taking activated charcoal to eliminate your stomach pain, you have various options at your disposal. You can take it in the form of a pill, in liquid form or powder. When you take it as a powder, you will have to mix it in non-acidic juice. All in all, your best bet will be to take it in capsules or tablet form.
You should drink lots of water when you take activated charcoal supplements because you have to avoid constipation as activated charcoal can provoke it. You should take it between meals when your stomach is empty so that it doesn’t deplete vitamins and nutrients that you would like to keep inside your body.
- You can use activated charcoal to make a clarifying face mask
You just have to add a teaspoon of powdered activated charcoal to warm water until you form a paste. Then you have to add a teaspoon of honey or aloe gel and finally apply a thin layer of this mixture on your face. You should rinse it after five or ten minutes.
- Add activated charcoal as a detoxifying element in your shampoo
You have to add a teaspoon or a capsule of activated charcoal to your regular amount of shampoo. Then wash and rinse your hair as always.
- Use activated charcoal for deep cleaning body scrub
You can then add the activated charcoal powder to your usual body scrub. Just add 2 or 3 capsules and use your body scrub just like you usually do it.
- Use activated charcoal for general detoxifying of the body
According to medical professionals, trying out juices that contain active charcoal will lead to detoxifying your system, and it will revitalize your body. It will also help with bloating, so it’s no wonder that it will detox the body.
Some experts are still skeptical about the effectiveness of charcoal taken in juice, but most of them say that it is fine if you give it a try and see how you feel. But you should do this only if your health is in good shape or if your doctor allows you to.
- Activated charcoal removes stains from your teeth
We have finally reached our main subject of interest. Indeed, purchasing some activated charcoal powder may be the cheapest way to whiten your teeth. The latest body part that has been getting the black magic treatment is the smile.
You can use the activated charcoal to remove the plaque and also to whiten your teeth during the process. You don’t necessarily need special toothpaste to whiten your teeth with charcoal, yet it is best if you use one that has activated charcoal in its composition for a better result. You can also use regular toothpaste where you add 1 or 2 emptied capsules and let the charcoal do its job.
The whitening promise of activated charcoal
Dr. Mark Wolff, DDS, Professor and Chair of the Department of Cardiology and Comprehensive Care at the New York University College of Dentistry explains that our teeth can become discolored because a vast variety of factors starting with poor dental hygiene and finishing with the food that we are eating or with the simple passing of the years. Dr. Wolff recommends using the mainstream whitening kinds of toothpaste that contain activated charcoal than preparing the mix yourself because he thinks that this is the safest method to benefit from it.
Trey Wilson, DDS, a dentist from New York City, explains that if your primary concern is whiter teeth than you can use the charcoal toothpaste because there are lots of studies being made at the moment about it and the results are promising. On the other hand, he advises people to be careful. He says that, if your teeth become more sensitive, you should stop using such toothpaste that contains activated charcoal.
Most dental specialists agree that if you decide to use activated charcoal toothpaste, you should do it with caution and you should brush your teeth with it no more than only once a week and not for extended periods even if your teeth continue to feel normal and they don’t seem to become more sensitive.
Activated charcoal is still an abrasive ingredient, and if you use it too frequently, it could wear down the enamel on your teeth. Other cautions involve lots of recession of gum tissue, because in such a case your teeth may become sensitive due to the abrasive quality of charcoal toothpaste.
Doctors recommend trying a charcoal toothpaste that is manufactured by a reputable brand and taking notes of any unusual symptoms that might appear during its use like increased sensitivity or bleeding gums.[1]
Benefits of charcoal toothpaste
Even if it seems pretty hard to believe, thanks to charcoal toothpaste, turning your teeth black can eventually result in making them whiter. Charcoal has been putting the whole beauty industry in a spin over the past years, and the charcoal toothpaste, the facial scrubs and the cleansers and facial masks have been all increasing their popularity.
Reasons to get a brighter smile
Boosting your confidence
Your confidence is not built only from your appearance, but it’s influenced by it because the way you feel will also dictate the way you approach things. A confidence boost is always welcomed. When you whiten your teeth, this will make you feel ready for anything and with the power of a bright smile behind your every action, you will be able to feel more confident and capable.
Transforming your image
Your smile tells a lot about yourself, and this is one of the main elements that people notice. If you smile, you will appear confident, healthy and happy and the people around you will respond positively.
Heightening your social and professional performances
Flashing your pearl-white teeth can make up a fantastic deal for every day. In case you’re not feeling very confident with your smile, you are going to be less likely to smile and to laugh with all your heart. As a result, this might tell people that you might be holding back and will notice the lack of confidence.
A whiter and brighter smile will dazzle them, and it will also change the way you act during social and professional events and situations. Remember that interactions are crucial in life because your success depends on them.
Creating a healthier appearance
Even if you know you are a healthy person, your presence and appearance can confirm it. Teeth usually communicate a message that is related to well-being and vitality. A bright white smile is one of the main factors in first impressions, and people will notice your teeth immediately. Make sure you lead them in a great direction.
Eliminating the effects of aging and smoking
Smoking can damage your teeth, and it can lead to higher risks for developing oral health issues including the build-up of plaque and bacteria on the teeth and also teeth discoloration. Teeth whitening is targeted at tooth discoloration caused by smoking, and it will help you get a whiter and a healthier smile.
As we age, our tooth enamel may get worn down, and this will make it much easier for tooth discoloration or oral health issues to emerge. Teeth-whitening is a fantastic way to offset the aging effect to be able to maintain a healthy smile.
Eliminating problems caused by diet choices
If you’re on a diet that involves lots of tea, coffee or if you are a fan of red wine, your teeth may have been a bit stained over the years, and teeth whitening could help you get rid of this issue, and it will help bring back your bright smile.
How does activated charcoal whiten teeth?
Activated charcoal is very porous, and the substance will bind toxins and absorb tannins which are pigments found in some drinks and foods. It will also remove the stains from your teeth during the whole process.
Main benefits of using charcoal toothpaste
- Charcoal toothpaste is a cost-effective solution
One of the main advantages of charcoal toothpaste is that aside from its teeth whitening effects it is also a cost-effective solution that you will be able to use on a regular basis. Such products are usually cheaper than traditional teeth whitening toothpaste, whitening strips, trays, and especially than regular whitening appointments with your dentist. If you decide to visit your dentist for a whitening appointment, you will most likely have to get out of your wallet a couple of hundreds of dollars every session. And remember that you will need more than one session to get the job perfectly done!
So, the high costs of teeth whitening can certainly put a hole in your wallet, and if you want to bypass the costs, you are free to try out this useful alternative and much cheaper solution for smooth results.
- Oral benefits of activated charcoal
Activated charcoal is tasteless and also odorless, and the powder works by the process of absorption. The activated charcoal can balance the pH levels from the mouth, it helps eliminate bad breath, and it naturally whitens your teeth.
- Soothing, gentle formulas
Even if you may freak out when you see your teeth all-black, and you may get alarmed, this is just as far as that alarm will go. Usually, charcoal toothpaste is soothing and gentle, and it will not irritate your teeth. They won’t cause issues when you apply them to your teeth, and you will be able to obtain a uniform whiter color.
- All-natural formula
Every time you choose a product, you are advised to look for a charcoal toothpaste that features all-natural ingredients which you can trust. The product should lack fillers, additives, chemicals, synthetic substances, or compounds that are harmful and that can detract your health and the formula’s effectiveness.
- Charcoal toothpaste is a cavity-blocker and germ killer
Brushing with charcoal toothpaste will change the pH balance in the mouth as we already said and as a result, your molars will lose the decayed spots by making the mouth less acidic. Some charcoal toothpaste has already been proven to be able to reduce mouth bacteria by up to 90%. The toothpaste can absorb plaque and also tiny morsels which are responsible for stained teeth.
Bad breath is caused when toxins leave the body, so using charcoal toothpaste will turn out to come in handy in this matter as well.
- Immediate and long-lasting results
Charcoal toothpaste will provide immediate results that will also last for as long as you continue to apply the formula and take care of your teeth the proper way. You should use the toothpaste on a regular basis and follow the instructions listed on each product. You’ll be amazed by how your teeth will look like after the very first brushing with a charcoal toothpaste.
Charcoal toothpaste FAQ
In case you are concerned about some issues regarding using charcoal toothpaste we will provide the answers to the most frequent questions regarding the product.
Will charcoal toothpaste stain crowns, veneers or fillings?
Can charcoal pull calcium from the teeth?
Is charcoal toothpaste too abrasive?
What kind of stains does charcoal toothpaste work on?
Potential side effects of charcoal toothpaste – is it safe?
On the other hand, there aren’t any long-term studies on activated charcoal toothpaste yet, so the issue regarding its side effects is still an opened one.
According to the American Dental Association, the use of charcoal to whiten teeth has not yet been studied, and dentists usually warn their patients against products that are not FDA approved, so you have to be careful. The primary concern that most dentists have related to charcoal toothpaste is the potential tooth erosion and the dental deterioration caused by the prolonged use of charcoal on the teeth.
As charcoal is used to absorb toxins, the whole idea that is will absorb stains from the teeth really makes sense, but how abrasive it is when it’s used to brush is still unknown.
Most forms of charcoal toothpaste still have to be approved due to the lack study and their long-term effects on teeth and enamel. As a conclusion, you may use it every once in a while, but the recommendation is that before you use such a product, you should discuss with your dentist to make sure that it will not turn out to be harmful to your teeth.
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