How to Whiten Teeth With Activated Charcoal

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How to whiten teeth with activated charcoal
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Years ago, a reader from India told me about a natural way to whiten teeth and it is the only method I’ve used since that time. Her suggestion? Use charcoal to whiten teeth with!

Whiten Teeth With Charcoal?

I was very skeptical that charcoal could actually help whiten teeth. I already kept activated charcoal around the house since we have kids and this highly absorbent substance is often used in hospitals for food poisoning. Because I kept it around the house, I’d also seen firsthand what happens when it spills on a kitchen floor (grout = permanently ruined) so I was afraid it would stain my teeth and not whiten them.

There are whitening toothpastes out there that have activated charcoal in them, but I decided a daily brush with charcoal toothpaste sounded like too much mess. I prefer to use the straight black powder version for a deep treatment.

How Charcoal Works

Activated charcoal is a highly absorbent substance. It removes toxins when they adhere to the surface of the charcoal. It is not absorbed by the body, but passes through the GI system, so chemicals and toxins bind to it, which then pass through the body and are expelled by the digestive system.

In the 1800s, two men took lethal doses of poisons (including arsenic) and survived without harm… their secret: they mixed the poisons with activated charcoal powder. (Stating the obvious: do not try to repeat these experiments!)

Activated charcoal is extremely effective at binding to toxins from household chemicals, ingested medicines, and other chemicals from the body, especially when taken within 30 minutes of ingestion. For this reason, it is a great first treatment for any kind of poisoning, but should not be taken within several hours of medications (or even vitamins) that DO need to be absorbed.

I had used activated charcoal when I had an awful bout of food poisoning, and it worked wonders! I mixed about a tablespoon of activated charcoal with water and drank quickly. The food poisoning symptoms went away within a couple of hours. This one dose was enough to remedy my food poisoning, but others report having to take this dose several times within a day before finding relief.

Charcoal is not a substance I would take regularly, as it can cause constipation and block mineral absorption if it is taken when it is not needed. Also, it can’t be mixed with dairy products or many foods, as they lower its effectiveness. Charcoal can also cause dehydration in large doses so it is important to consume enough water when consuming charcoal.

How Does Activated Charcoal Whiten Your Teeth?

how to whiten teeth naturally with charcoalSo, it’s all well and good that activated charcoal is an effective poison remedy… but does it really work to whiten teeth?

As I said, since the powder stains everything, I had always worried that it would do the same to my teeth. (One of my kids dumped it in the kitchen one time and it does stain tile, grout, clothes and shoes… just so you know!).

I did some research and found out that even though it temporarily makes the mouth look extremely black (picture for emphasis!) it has the same effect as it does when ingested: it pulls toxins from the mouth and removes stains. (Fair warning: when you open your mouth, it is completely black and rather scary looking! Right after I did this the first time I was intensely worried that it would stain my teeth.)

To my surprise, all of the black washes away and it makes your teeth feel extremely clean and smooth. After a few uses, my teeth were noticeably whiter too.

Further research I’ve done on this showed that activated charcoal can actually be helpful in changing the pH and health of the mouth, and as such is effective in preventing cavities and killing the bad bacteria present in tooth decay and gingivitis. For this reason, I now use it as part of my remineralizing protocol for teeth, along with my Wellnesse remineralizing toothpaste and charcoal toothpaste.

Of course, it is important to check with your own doctor and dentist before using this or any substance internally or orally.

How to Use Charcoal to Whiten Teeth

I’m sure everyone does it a little differently, but here’s the routine I’ve worked out over the years. Once you have it down, the whole process takes about 5 minutes. You can also see the whole thing in action in the video below.

  1. I recommend having two toothbrushes, one for applying the charcoal and one for brushing your mouth out after. A cup for rinsing is also helpful. (Tip I learned the hard way: Have a microfiber cloth on hand to wipe out the sink when you’re done, also.)
  2. Dip a clean, wet toothbrush into the powdered charcoal (or dump a capsule of charcoal on the toothbrush).
  3. Lean over the container of charcoal and quickly put the charcoal-covered toothbrush in the mouth (this is to protect your sink).
  4. Brush in small, very gentle circles to apply charcoal all over your teeth. Let sit for 2 minutes.
  5. Spit and rinse until your mouth is clear of charcoal. (Again, be careful of surrounding surfaces.)
  6. To any remaining charcoal out of your mouth, wet the the second clean toothbrush, brush lightly, and rinse.
  7. Wipe out the sink with the microfiber before it dries for easiest clean-up.

Your mouth will feel amazingly clean…. your sink, not so much! Use as often as needed. Readers have also reported mixing the charcoal with water and swishing with it for two minutes.

This video shows how I brush with charcoal:

Where to Get Activated Charcoal

Most natural health stores carry activated charcoal in loose powder or capsule form and it is also available online. I keep both the powdered and capsuled forms on hand in case it is needed for poisoning and I keep the powder in a small glass jar for tooth brushing. Make sure that the charcoal is from wood or coconut sources and not petroleum-based.

It is also very important to note the difference between food/supplement grade activated charcoal and other forms of charcoal. I hope it goes without saying, but I’ll say it to be safe:

Please do not use any other form of charcoal besides activated charcoal in your mouth or internally. Do not use leftover charcoal from a BBQ grill or charcoal briquettes. Do not use charcoal pencils or any other type of charcoal.

Charcoal Teeth Whitening FAQs

I’ve received some of the same questions about this process multiple times so I’ve asked friends who are dentists and done further research to try to answer them:

How to Whiten Teeth With Activated Charcoal

Does It Stain Crowns/Veneers/Fillings?

I don’t have any of these in a visible place to be able to share any firsthand experience. Readers have reported trying this method of teeth whitening without a problem on these types of surfaces, but I’d definitely recommend checking with your dentist before using this or anything else if you have any of these.

Does Charcoal Pull Calcium From the Teeth?

Another question that I’ve received often. As always, check with a dentist if you have concerns about your teeth and before using any substance to whiten them. From the research I found, charcoal binds mostly to organic compounds and not minerals so there should not be a concern of it pulling calcium from the teeth.

Is Charcoal Too Abrasive for Teeth?

This is one concern that some dental professionals have expressed about whitening teeth with charcoal and it is a valid concern. I was unable to find any research that evaluated how abrasive charcoal was to the surface of the teeth. A suggestion from my friend who is a dentist is to use the charcoal without brushing or scrubbing.

She suggested that anyone worried about charcoal being abrasive or anyone with sensitive teeth could accomplish the same thing by simply dabbing charcoal onto the surface of the teeth with a finger or cotton swab and letting it sit on the surface of the teeth for two minutes before swishing with water and rinsing.

This would allow the charcoal to come in contact with the surface of the tooth long enough to remove surface stains without the brushing or scrubbing action that could be too abrasive. Using a toothbrush with round-tip bristles is gentler on teeth and good for oral health in general, so considering switching to this type of toothbrush.

What Kind of Stains Does Charcoal Work On?

My dentist friend also advised me that activated charcoal will only work on surface stains that it is able to bind to, especially those from drinks like coffee and tea. It won’t usually work on teeth that have yellowed from antibiotics or other internal problems.

Whiter Teeth? An Update

Here’s a picture cropped from a photo at a family wedding so it looks pixelated). I’m super happy with the results!

how to reduce cavities and tooth decay

After using the activated charcoal for a few months and swishing with diluted regular 3% hydrogen peroxide when I remember (at the recommendation of a dentist) I am really happy with how white my teeth have become!

p.s. An Update to the Update

I recently discovered this new tooth whitening product that whitens teeth with activated charcoal and LED light. So far it’s working even better than the activated charcoal alone, with the added bonus of making the process less messy. It even plugs into my phone for easy use when I travel.

Bottom Line on Tooth Whitening

I plan to continue whitening my teeth with activated charcoal, but if the whole black-teeth thing doesn’t appeal to you I have found a few other natural ways to whiten teeth. Check out this post to see how they measure up to the charcoal method.

And you’ve found other natural ways to maintain those pearly whites, let me know what works for you!

This article was medically reviewed by Dr. Scott Soerries, MD, Family Physician and Medical Director of SteadyMD. As always, this is not personal medical advice and we recommend that you talk with your doctor.

What do you think? Am I crazy? Would you try it for whitening your teeth?

Activated charcoal is a simple way to naturally whiten teeth and promote oral health at home.

Katie Wells Avatar

About Katie Wells

Katie Wells, CTNC, MCHC, Founder of Wellness Mama and Co-founder of Wellnesse, has a background in research, journalism, and nutrition. As a mom of six, she turned to research and took health into her own hands to find answers to her health problems. WellnessMama.com is the culmination of her thousands of hours of research and all posts are medically reviewed and verified by the Wellness Mama research team. Katie is also the author of the bestselling books The Wellness Mama Cookbook and The Wellness Mama 5-Step Lifestyle Detox.

Comments

486 responses to “How to Whiten Teeth With Activated Charcoal”

  1. Jessica Paige Avatar
    Jessica Paige

    Tonight I brushed with AC for the first time I plan on taking pics along the way . Im a long time smoker ,tea and cola drinker and my teeth are a very yucky yellow . Its embarrassing I also have crooked buck teeth sigh I cant afford 300 to get the chemically whitened at the dentist or braces to straighten them for that matter . AC with its many uses will be a staple in my home from now on . So as for whitening and cleaning my teeth feel amazing ! I cant see a difference in color yet but its only day one!

    I brushed with one capsule of AC
    brushed with water
    flossed
    brushed with toothpaste
    rinsed with peroxide

    pics of before during and after

    1. MichèLe Richter Avatar
      MichèLe Richter

      the after picture looks a bit whiter than the before picture – so I’d say it is working!

    2. Rene Northrup Avatar
      Rene Northrup

      I have your same teeth! My husband says that if I got them fixed I wouldn’t be me! I say we smile big! Not everybody gets to have amazing teeth like us!

  2. William Johnson Avatar
    William Johnson

    Well whitening with the charcoal is the oldest method but still many people follow it because it provides great results.

  3. Amy Moore Cullember Avatar
    Amy Moore Cullember

    If you have porcelain veneers or caps on your teeth, would it stain them? This sounds amazing and your teeth look great!

    1. Tilldy Avatar

      No, it doesn’t stain veneers, and unlike the regular tooth whitening strips, it works on veneers and natural teeth. the tooth whitening strips don’t work on veneers. I drink tons of coffee, and the AC keeps both my veneers and natural teeth white.

      1. Judi Avatar

        That is AWESOME news. I got veneers 25 years ago and have lamented that my only option for improvement was …..new veneers. After I read this article, I immediately searched for “veneers” and found your post.

        I’m thrilled beyond belief. Thank you

        1. Judi Avatar

          Katie: So then I read the rest of the comments, and further down is one from a woman who said the AC actually appeared to have detrimental effects.

          I wonder if you might do a poll of your readers? Or if you have any other information beyond these few comments?

          Thanks

  4. Stephanie Ferrell MacDonald Avatar
    Stephanie Ferrell MacDonald

    Wow, this is very useful. I don’t like using regular toothpaste so I’ll give it a whirl. And Missy, thank you for the tip on the GAS problem, I’ll have ny boyfriend try some

  5. Xosé Dzov Antol Avatar
    Xosé Dzov Antol

    Great post. Pls answer me questions:
    How often I have to clean my teeth with charcoal – everytime, when I clean my teeth with toothpaste?
    Shall I clean with charcoal Before or After the classic teeth cleaning?

  6. Lisa Avatar

    I’m going to try this because I have had irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) for 18 yrs (since my second child was born) and constant intestinal gas – just like Missy! But I’m wondering how much and how often I should use it for these purposes. Can anyone out there offer some advice? I’m 49 years old and weigh 115 lbs – if that matters. Thanks!

    1. Diane Sheats Avatar
      Diane Sheats

      If I were you, I’d do a bunch of research on probiotics and also possible food allergies (like gluten). My grandma was diagnosed with IBS and probiotics greatly helped her. We also tried going gluten-free, and results were inconclusive, but many of the symptoms of IBS mirror gluten sensitivity. Gluten intolerance can produce any of hundreds of symptoms, or no symptoms at all (crazy!! and very under-diagnosed). Google is your friend here…start searching and reading! (Excuse me if you already know this…of course I can’t tell.)

    2. Stephanie Avatar
      Stephanie

      I also have IBS, which is treated mostly with lifestyle changes. I was supposed to do the GAPS diet, which is ridiculous (mostly gluten free plus dairy free and you can only eat certain veggies). I have found, however, that dairy does seem to be related to bloating, and I’ve mostly given it up for the past seven years with great results. Exercise helps reduce symptoms of IBS. Probiotics also help. Sometimes I use bentonite clay internally. Maybe activated charcoal would help too, but I find the above approach is usually adequate.

  7. Leigh Avatar

    since it cleanses toxins from the body, would it be safe or effective to use before starting an all natural diet in order to get a jump start on cleansing?

  8. Bazzir Avatar

    Just be careful of the hydrogen peroxide, swishing with it two often can cause a hairy stained tongue.
    RDH

  9. Tessa Avatar

    Activated Charcoal is the best thing to use for a tooth ache. Rub the AC powder all around the gums of the tooth that is hurting.

  10. Dazane Avatar

    “Black Magic” was invaluable when my children were little. It consisted of 1 tablespoon AC, 1
    tablespoon slippery elm, and 1 tablespoon carob powder. I blended this in a cup
    to a cup and a half of tepid water and added a little honey (tsp or so). Each with
    a straw, the kids slurped it up readily, pretending they were aliens consuming
    strange things. All signs of diarrhea vanished promptly and the kids were up
    and bounding about again. The slippery elm prevents the constipation and the
    carob powder is supposed to be healing to the gut, and also adds flavor. The
    honey helps the medicine go down.

    When we were raising sheep one of the ewes got an overdose of grain and became very sick. It was a holiday and
    when I called the vet, he said that it didn’t sound like she had long to live
    and he was too far away to make it in time, as he was out of town, a couple
    hours away. I decided if Black Magic worked on my kids so well, it wouldn’t
    hurt to try it on our special “Daisy.” I filled a large glass soda
    water bottle with the mixture, added a lamb nipple, and headed to the barn. Sat
    all night with that wooly head in my lap, force-feeding her Black Magic. She
    managed to down the entire bottle, then settled into a sound sleep on my lap
    (she was a full grown animal and only her head fit on my lap), as I sat on the
    straw. Dawn approached, and she stirred awake, rose onto her feet and began
    bleating for her hay. A few weeks later, she shed all her wool, which happens
    when sheep get quite ill. She survived to a very nice old age.

    1. Megan Baker Avatar
      Megan Baker

      I had a similar experience with some of my goats. We had cleared some new land for them, but there was obviously something there they shouldn’t have. Only my favorite goats got it though. Vomiting, diarrhea, pain, shaking, etc. I made a ginger tea, added AC and some oil(that was supposed to cut down on the foaming). Anyway, used a drench gun and gave them each a healthy dose. Within a half hour they were no longer in pain, and by morning they were all still alive – that was miraculous. Another drench was needed on my stubborn buck, but they all survived and were fine by the next evening. I’m positive I would have lost them without the AC.

  11. amy Avatar

    Is this safe to do with mercury fillings? Could it possibly pull the toxins out of the filling?

    1. Wellness Mama Avatar
      Wellness Mama

      I have read not to use hydrogen peroxide on amalgam fillings, but haven’t seen anything bad on charcoal. It is used as an anti-toxin and can bind to harmful things, so I would think it might bind to anything it pulled out if it did…

      1. Tahleeya Avatar
        Tahleeya

        Hi Wellness Mama! I have a metal dental bridge. I’m not sure what type of metal it is exactly… but it was glued to the back of my six front natural teeth. Will the AC absorb the glue or dissolve/discolor the metal? I’ve tried researching… can’t seem to find anything on this. Please let me know when you can! Thanks so much!

        1. Wellness Mama Avatar
          Wellness Mama

          From what I’ve read, it shouldn’t as it doesn’t react in that way, but I’d check with a dentist if you are concerned

  12. Steph Avatar

    Hello wellness mama, I have started to research some ways I can whiten my 11 yr olds teeth, she had an accident when she was 8 and knocked a chunk out of her front adult tooth. Unfortunately the nerve was exposed and died and she had root canal to the tooth. As there is no ‘life’ in the tooth it has started to go grey. She has had the chunk rebuilt and it retains its colour but its starting to be an issue for her with peers. We have been told it can be crowned when she is about 20yo or bleach it ( I would rather not bleach her teeth as its chemical and it can make the already brittle tooth more so). We’ll look into this method a little more and find out if it will work on her lifeless great tooth.

    Steph

    1. Joanna Avatar

      Sorry your child had this front tooth injury. But I wouldn’t advise capping it, but instead replacing it with an artificial tooth. It is now understood that a root canal leaves a permanent hiding place for bacteria which affects your whole body health. There are many tubules in the tooth that do not get sealed off. Read on Dr Mercola’s site for more documentation. The gray color is because it is dead. The charcoal isn’t likely to make any noticeable change.

  13. Kid Avatar

    Don’t do this. I know about this because where I work we speak about what people used for everyday things in the 18th Century. Yes, it will potentially make your teeth whiter but at the same time it will rip away your enamel.

    1. Wellness Mama Avatar
      Wellness Mama

      I”d love to see your research on this. I’ve had multiple dentists verify that it is fine and while the doubted it worked, they didn’t think it was harmful.

  14. Donna Avatar

    I think that the whitening may be due to the peroxide(I am an RDH) but the use of AC for poisoning is a fantastic solution! 

    1. Wellness Mama Avatar
      Wellness Mama

      I use this in combination with Ora Wellness brushing blend but I know people who use it alone

    1. Wellness Mama Avatar
      Wellness Mama

      Just the regular kind in brown bottles available in most places…the kind you would use on cuts.

    2. Heather Rotz Avatar
      Heather Rotz

      DO NOT USE IT!!!!
      Peroxide will, over time, weaken your enamel. You will ultimately end up ruining your progress. You also should never use it on a cut because a cut needs to re-seal and peroxide makes the wound heal from the inside out. Peroxide is good for scrapes but not cuts and NOT your teeth! Use the charcoal but do not use the peroxide!

      1. Jodi Burton Blackmon Avatar
        Jodi Burton Blackmon

        I specifically asked my dentist about this today and he said 1 or 2 times a week will not hurt your teeth.

  15. Heather Avatar
    Heather

    My family has been using Charcoal for years, its our family remedy for almost everything!!! My aunt owns Charcoal Works, she sells a pure form of charcoal, you wouldn’t believe whats in some of the major brands. She even started making a patch form of charcoal, like a bandaid. it sticks to your skin and works like a miracle on bee stings and spider bits. check it out! an amazing lady that sells an amazing product. Its funny because most people i talk to about charcoal think I’m totally crazy. Now I’m not alone!!!

  16. Theresa Avatar
    Theresa

    I’m planning to try this! Can’t wait to see how it works for me. 🙂

  17. Adrienne Avatar
    Adrienne

    Are both photos of your teeth after whitening?  And I’m concerned about peroxide.  There are toxins in it and it can be damaging to cell health if not diluted.   You need to get food grade peroxide only.  You can contact me if you want more into.

    1. Wellness Mama Avatar
      Wellness Mama

      Both are of my teeth, but the second one isn’t very good resolution, unfortunately.

      1. Bella Avatar

        how hard is it to take another picture in the “selfie” age. This always happens. People make claims about their teeth being fixed or “whitened” and you would think it’s brain surgery to just take another quick picture with the same quality. instead the pics never match or one is darker and has shadows.

    2. Peg obrien Avatar
      Peg obrien

       I’m not sure where the concern about peroxide comes from. My DH is 70 years old and literally holds peroxide in his mouth while he flosses. Has his whole life and has the healthiest gums his dentist has ever seen. He uses the stuff from the drug store, nothing special. He also has exactly zero chronic health problems, no high blood pressure, no heart problems, no ED, no nothing. Has everything he came into this world with.

      1. Judy Avatar

        The hydrogen peroxide in the drug stores contains heavy metals. They will be absorbed into the body and blood stream. Food grade diluted down to 3% would be a safer choice.

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