"Honestly, I switched to unrefined a couple weeks ago, and while I haven't noticed a huge difference in whitening yet, my mouth does feel fresher somehow?"
I totally get what you mean about the freshness—it's subtle but definitely noticeable. From my experience, coconut oil pulling is great for overall oral health, but for quick whitening before an event or something, I've found activated charcoal toothpaste works faster. Just be careful not to overdo it, since it can be a bit abrasive if you use it too often... moderation is key. Hope that helps!
"Just be careful not to overdo it, since it can be a bit abrasive if you use it too often... moderation is key."
Yeah, learned that the hard way with charcoal toothpaste—my gums weren't thrilled, lol. Honestly, for a quick fix that's budget-friendly, I've had decent luck brushing gently with baking soda once in a while. Doesn't taste amazing, but it's cheap and does the trick overnight. Just don't scrub too hard or you'll regret it later... trust me.
I've been there with the baking soda trick too—works surprisingly well, but yeah, tastes like salty chalk. 😅 Another gentle hack I've tried is swishing diluted hydrogen peroxide (the 3% kind) for about 30 seconds before brushing. Sounds scary, I know, but dentists actually recommend it occasionally. Just don't swallow it or go overboard... moderation really is key.
"Just don't scrub too hard or you'll regret it later... trust me."
Totally agree with this! Gentle brushing is underrated—your gums will thank you later.
Has anyone actually checked with their dentist about the hydrogen peroxide thing? I've heard mixed opinions—some say it's fine occasionally, others warn it can make your teeth sensitive over time. Personally, I stick to activated charcoal toothpaste once in a while. Messy as heck, but seems gentler on my gums than baking soda or peroxide. Curious if anyone else finds charcoal less harsh or if it's just me being overly cautious...
I've actually asked my dentist about charcoal toothpaste because I was worried about sensitivity too. She said it's generally okay if used sparingly, but warned me not to go overboard since charcoal can be abrasive if used too frequently. Personally, I do find charcoal gentler than baking soda or peroxide, but honestly, I get nervous using anything too abrasive on my teeth. I've had sensitivity issues in the past, so now I'm extra cautious about what I put in my mouth. Anyone else notice their gums feeling a bit irritated after trying baking soda? Maybe it's just me, but that stuff always feels way too harsh—even more than peroxide. Charcoal seems milder somehow, even if it does make my sink look like a crime scene afterward...
