My dentist actually rolled his eyes when I mentioned charcoal. He said it can scratch enamel, and once that’s gone, you can’t get it back. I’ll admit, the idea of a quick fix is tempting... but I’d rather keep my teeth strong. Has anyone here stuck with just baking soda for years without issues?
Charcoal, huh? My granddaughter tried to convince me it was the next big thing, but I’m with your dentist—seems risky. Now, baking soda… I’ve dabbled with it off and on since the ‘70s. Never had any major issues, but I always mixed it with my regular toothpaste, just a sprinkle. My teeth are still hanging in there, though I can’t say they’re movie-star white. I figure moderation’s key. If I went heavy on the stuff every day, maybe it’d be a different story. Anyone else remember when tooth powder was a thing? That stuff tasted like licking a sidewalk.
Anyone else remember when tooth powder was a thing? That stuff tasted like licking a sidewalk.
Ha, that line brought back some memories. My parents actually had a tin of tooth powder in the cabinet when I was a kid—tried it once and yeah, “sidewalk” sums it up.
I’m with you on moderation being key, especially with baking soda. It’s mildly abrasive, so it can help with surface stains, but if you go overboard, you might wear down enamel over time. I did a little experiment in my 20s, mixing baking soda with regular paste every couple weeks. Didn’t notice dramatic whitening, but things felt cleaner. Never tried the straight-up baking soda route—always worried it’d be too harsh.
Charcoal’s a weird one. The techy side of me likes the idea of “adsorption,” but the research is all over the place. Plus, the black mess in the sink is a hassle. Baking soda seems like the safer bet, as long as you’re not scrubbing like you’re cleaning grout.
That sidewalk taste is spot on... I’ll never forget the gritty feel either. I totally agree about moderation—baking soda’s fine every now and then, but I got a little overzealous a few years back and my teeth felt sensitive for weeks. Charcoal looked cool at first, but honestly, it stained my sink and didn’t do much for my teeth. If you’re hoping for a quick fix, I’d stick with baking soda once in a while, and just brush gently. Whitening strips worked better for me, but they can be a bit harsh too. Always something, right?
Baking soda’s definitely the lesser evil between the two, but like you said, it’s easy to get carried away. I see a lot of folks trying charcoal because it’s trendy, but honestly, the mess isn’t worth it and there’s not much real evidence it helps with stains. Plus, charcoal can sometimes be too abrasive—same with scrubbing hard with baking soda. That gritty feeling really isn’t great for enamel over time.
If you’re just looking for a little boost before an event or something, a gentle baking soda brush every now and then won’t hurt, but moderation is key. Whitening strips do work, but I always warn people about sensitivity—especially if your teeth already feel tender. Funny enough, some of my patients have better luck just switching to an electric toothbrush and a good whitening toothpaste. Not instant, but easier on your teeth and gums.
At the end of the day, nothing beats regular brushing and keeping up with cleanings. The quick fixes are tempting, but slow and steady usually wins the race with teeth.
