I've actually tried the strawberry thing too, and honestly, I'm not convinced it really does much. I mean, yeah, it made a mess and tasted pretty sour, but I didn't see any noticeable difference. I think maybe it depends on your teeth type or something? Personally, gentle whitening strips have been my go-to as well—less messy and more reliable. Has anyone given activated charcoal toothpaste a shot? I keep hearing mixed things and I'm kinda curious if it's worth the hype...
"Has anyone given activated charcoal toothpaste a shot? I keep hearing mixed things and I'm kinda curious if it's worth the hype..."
I actually tried activated charcoal toothpaste a couple months ago, mostly because I kept seeing it pop up everywhere and got curious. Honestly, it was kind of a weird experience. First off, it looks pretty alarming when you're brushing—like your mouth is suddenly full of black ink or something. Definitely startled myself in the mirror a few times, lol.
But more importantly, I'm not totally sure if it did much for whitening. Maybe my teeth felt cleaner afterward, but that could've just been psychological because of how dramatic the whole thing looked. I didn't notice any major difference in brightness after using it consistently for about two weeks. Plus, I've read some stuff online about how charcoal toothpaste can be abrasive and might wear down enamel over time, which kinda freaked me out. Has anyone else heard about that?
Personally, I'm still on the fence about it. It wasn't terrible or anything, but I didn't see enough results to justify sticking with it long-term. Right now I'm leaning toward trying those gentle whitening strips you mentioned instead—seems like less hassle and less risk of accidentally damaging my teeth.
Also, quick question: has anyone tried oil pulling? I've seen people swear by coconut oil for whitening teeth naturally, but the idea of swishing oil around my mouth for 15 minutes straight sounds... questionable at best. Curious if anyone's had luck with that or if it's just another trendy thing that's more trouble than it's worth.
I've actually been using activated charcoal toothpaste on and off for about a year now, and honestly, I haven't noticed any enamel issues yet—though I get why you'd worry. My dentist said occasional use is fine as long as you're gentle with brushing. About oil pulling though... I gave it a shot once and couldn't handle more than five minutes. Felt kinda weird and didn't seem worth the hassle, imo.
"Right now I'm leaning toward trying those gentle whitening strips you mentioned instead"
Those strips worked pretty well for me, definitely easier than swishing coconut oil around!
I've heard good things about those strips too, but honestly, I'd still be cautious. Even the gentle ones can cause sensitivity for some people (myself included). I tried them a while back and ended up with achy teeth for days... not fun. If you're looking for something quick and gentle, maybe try brushing with baking soda occasionally? It's mild enough to avoid irritation and does brighten things up a bit without the hassle of strips or oil pulling.
"Even the gentle ones can cause sensitivity for some people (myself included). I tried them a while back and ended up with achy teeth for days... not fun."
Yeah, totally relate to this. Those strips always leave me with that annoying ache too—feels like biting into ice cream way too fast, lol. Baking soda is definitely gentler, but personally, I've found mixing a tiny bit of baking soda with toothpaste works even better. Just a small pinch every now and then does the trick without making my gums feel raw.
Also, might sound weird, but eating crunchy veggies like carrots or celery actually helps brighten things up a bit. They're mildly abrasive (in a good way!) and help remove surface stains naturally. Not exactly an overnight miracle, but if you're looking for something quick before an event or whatever, it can give you a subtle boost.
Just be careful not to overdo the baking soda thing—too often can wear down enamel over time. Moderation's key!
