If you have spent any time on Instagram recently, you may have noticed a lot of teeth brushing videos. Teeth brushing videos? Yeah, seriously. People have become obsessed with these videos for one reason, and one reason only: jet black teeth and gums! Activated charcoal has made waves in the health and beauty industry, quickly becoming a sought-after product for anyone wanting that Instagram worthy smile.

But do those products actually work? Can you get the same results without the mess of loose activated charcoal? And what if you don’t like the feeling of putting powder all over your teeth? We have some answers and solutions to all your questions, so keep reading!

What is Activated Charcoal?

Unlike regular charcoal, the kind you might buy to put on the barbeque, activated charcoal goes through several production steps as well as ‘activation’ to make it safe for medical and health applications. Activated charcoal is made from coconut shells, olive pits, coal, sawdust, and other materials treated with high heat. The process of applying high heat is what activates the charcoal, making it extra porous and ridding it of any remaining harmful substances.

Once activated, charcoal possesses a negative charge. Most toxins, gasses, and plaque have a positive charge, attracting them to the negatively charged activated charcoal. This attraction is what makes activated charcoal so good at absorbing and removing unwanted substances. So how does activated charcoal whiten teeth? Activated charcoal is more porous than regular charcoal; the pits, nooks, and crannies created by the activation process make activated charcoal work almost like a magnet.

Charcoal for Your Teeth

Some people have expressed concerns that the absorbing qualities of activated charcoal could pose risks for individuals who take medication; this is because when ingested, activated charcoal has the power to absorb all foreign substances, not just harmful toxins. It is for this reason that many people have been hesitant to try powdered activated charcoal products or activated charcoal toothpaste. If that’s why you haven’t tried charcoal to whiten your smile yet don’t worry, Wowe has a solution!

Those that have tried activated charcoal for teeth have found it to be beneficial for removing stains and making teeth appear whiter. With its porous surface and absorbing qualities, activated charcoal is the perfect substance to remove surface stains and disinfect the mouth. Charcoal can remove surface stains caused by wine, tea, coffee, tobacco, and other dark-colored foods and liquids. Charcoal cannot reach deep stains caused by trauma, enamel decay, or certain medical conditions.

Traditional Whitening vs. Charcoal

While regular whitening is an excellent solution for deep tooth stains, the majority of people who elect to have traditional whitening procedures done are only in need of surface level stain removal. Patients who choose traditional whitening to remedy surface stains may experience a number of side effects, including:

• Tooth Sensitivity: Traditional and over the counter tooth whitening systems often contain carbamide peroxide, the ingredient responsible for the bleaching effect of tooth whitening systems. Over time, the use of this ingredient can strip away the outer layer of tooth enamel. Enamel erosion can cause heightened sensitivity or pain, patchy or uneven tooth appearance, and can increase the risk of tooth chips, damage, or even bending of the tooth. Sensitivity may increase over time and with extended use.

• Gum irritation: With traditional tooth whitening treatments, harsh chemicals are unavoidable. The same chemicals that may increase tooth sensitivity can irritate the gums, making them painful, inflamed, and red.

Because of the risks involved in traditional tooth whitening, these chemicals and treatment options should be used sparingly. Traditional tooth whitening has long been the go-to for discoloration of any kind, but in truth, it is not the best option for people only wanting to address surface stains. Here are the benefits of choosing activated charcoal over traditional tooth whitening for surface stains:

• Safe for enamel: While certain activated charcoal products should be used sparingly to avoid excessive abrasion, most are gentle enough to be used regularly. The gentle cleansing power of activated charcoal works to remove surface stains without tearing away at the surface layer of enamel.

• Irritation free: When you use activated charcoal for your teeth, there is no irritation. Just like using regular toothpaste and toothbrush, activated charcoal treatments clean and refresh your mouth without pain, inflammation, or redness.

• Tooth preservation: While the harsh chemicals in traditional tooth whitening systems may cause teeth to decay more quickly or become brittle, charcoal does not. Charcoal can safely be used to remove surface stains and keep your smile looking white without the risk of permanent/irreversible damage to your teeth.

Charcoal Infused Brush Bristles

Though activated charcoal is an incredible and extremely effective ingredient for surface stain removal and whiteness preservation, many people are hesitant to use because of inconvenience. Many activated charcoal products come in the form of loose charcoal powder in a tub; the potential for spills is obvious. Besides how easy it is to spill an entire container of fine charcoal powder, many customers are put off by the idea of filling their mouth with jet black powder, and who can blame them! Charcoal powder can be uncomfortable to use for some, can easily be inhaled or swallowed, and is difficult to clean up.

To take advantage of the disinfecting, absorbing, and whitening power of activated charcoal without the mess, try the Wowe Natural Bamboo Toothbrush with Charcoal Bristles. This convenient, natural, and fully biodegradable toothbrush is infused with charcoal for natural antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, and whitening properties. Without the mess of loose charcoal powder, the charcoal-infused bristles scrub away bacteria, plaque, and surface stains to give you the fresh and white smile of your dreams!

Why Choose a Natural Toothbrush from Wowe?

Besides the extraordinary antibacterial and whitening properties of activated charcoal, natural toothbrushes by Wowe are a better option for the Earth and your teeth. Wowe’s natural toothbrush bristles are BPA-free, recyclable, and soft enough for teeth of all ages. Kids and adults alike love Wowe’s soft bristles that reach every nook and cranny to satisfy even the most hygiene conscious brusher. Wowe natural toothbrushes last as long as regular plastic toothbrushes, until you dispose of them.

Traditional plastic toothbrushes can take 1000 years to decompose, meaning our toothbrushes will outlive us all. Wowe toothbrushes hold up to daily use, giving you the best clean until you are ready to switch out for a new one. Switching your toothbrush out every three months is the best way to ensure you are always getting the best clean, and not preserving harmful viruses or bacteria on your toothbrush.

Most consumers end up throwing away their toothbrush, only to have it end up in a landfill somewhere where it will live out the rest of its 1000 years. Wowe’s natural toothbrushes are made from bamboo, making them fully biodegradable, so you won’t have to worry about harming natural resources when you switch toothbrushes. If you are not sure how to dispose of a biodegradable toothbrush, consider upcycling;  Wowe natural toothbrushes can be upcycled and used as garden markers, fire starters, popsicle sticks, and much more.

Wowe: Health and Earth Awareness

Wowe is a family business dedicated to making the world a better place. Wowe creates natural alternatives to traditional health and beauty tools/products. The majority of health and beauty products are created using plastics, BPA, and long-lasting materials that can take hundreds if not thousands of years to decompose. Wowe products are designed with the Earth in mind. Natural, reusable, biodegradable, and free from harmful chemicals, Wowe products are helping to make the world a better place. Reduced waste, fewer products stuck in landfills, and the removal of toxic chemicals from consumer products will help make the world a better and healthier place.

Besides improving the health of the planet and its inhabitants with natural products, Wowe partners with One Tree Plantedby donating 1% of sales to plant trees all over the world. Trees provide clean air, clean water, and are an essential part of our planet’s ecosystem. Animals and plants rely heavily on trees for protection, food, and biodiverse environments to help them thrive. One Tree Planted plants trees all over the world to help communities and ecosystems thrive. To date, Wowe has donated over 14,000 trees.

Wowe products are all about health; health for the Earth and health for the people that live here. With lots of natural products to choose from, Wowe is a one-stop-shop for everything you need to make your health and beauty routine more eco-friendly. Wowe offers fantastic products like the Natural Toothbrush with Charcoal Infused Bristles that promote healthy habits without hurting the environment. Try biodegradable Silk Floss or a Stainless Steel Tongue Cleaner to round out your environmentally friendly dental health routine!

Do you want natural alternatives to your everyday health and beauty tools? Check out Wowe and see how we design products that do more for you and the planet.