4 inexpensive and effective products that use charcoal to whiten your teeth

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In the 21st century, it’s pretty normal to want whiter teeth. In fact, it seems to have surpassed being considered a cosmetic concern and instead entered into the realm of everyday maintenance.

And considering the fact that you only have seconds to make a first impression, that desire makes sense. You can’t hide teeth behind bangs or a new outfit. Instead, they're front and center for all in-person interactions, and if they’re yellow, they might even signify less-than-desirable habits, like a lack of attentiveness to hygiene or a smoking habit.

But with increased use of strong whitening agents has come an increasing concern for other factors of healthy teeth, like the strength of enamel and the overall sensitivity of our teeth. For those with extra sensitive teeth, such treatments might not even be viable options.

Lucky for them and those looking for a more gentle but still effective clean, charcoal teeth products have become widely available. You can buy toothbrushes with special bristles, powders, and toothpaste though you may want to veer away from those . While you'll likely see a noticeable improvement in surface stains, you probably won't see the extreme difference given by products like Crest 3D Whitestrips or GLO Brilliant.

Having said that, it's a potentially awesome choice for people with sensitive teeth or those shopping for an inexpensive in-between option that helps them maintain the color while going longer in between harsher treatments.

In case you're looking to try the charcoal teeth-whitening trend to see for yourself, we've rounded up some of the most reputable options below:Charcoal teeth-whitening powder

Amazon

The refined charcoal powder will whiten your teeth by lifting surface stains without affecting your enamel or gums. You'll likely see a more subtle whitening than you would with strips or trays, but your teeth shouldn't have to deal with added sensitivity for a brighter, whiter smile either. There are other loose powder options, but this one also happens to be the best-selling teeth whitener on Amazon.

If you'd like to read a full review on this exact powder, you can find one here.

Active Wow Teeth Whitening Charcoal Powder, available on Amazon 24.79

An electric toothbrush with charcoal-infused bristles for less mess

Boka

This one is perfect for anybody who loves the timer and vibration of an electric toothbrush but wants the control of a manual. Boka's hybrid brush has a 2-minute timer with 30-second alerts and bristles with activated charcoal embedded in them. It's worth mentioning that while the device itself vibrates, the individual bristles do not.

Boka Electric Toothbrush, available on Birchbox, 75

An inexpensive manual brush working on the same idea

Amazon

Since this three-pack offers three toothbrushes for 6, it's by far the cheapest option if you're looking for a low-risk way of dabbling in the trend.

The super slim tip is made to clean narrow gaps between teeth and along the gum line, and the slim head and flexible neck should make for easy maneuvering and better reach. However, it's worth noting that these toothbrushes have soft bristles. Boka, the company responsible for the electric toothbrush mentioned before, also has a manual option here.

Colgate Slim Charcoal Toothbrush, 3-Pack, available on Amazon, 5.77

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