This charcoal mouthwash promises to banish 90% of stains, here's what happened when I put it to the test...
Along with the entire Love Island cast, some of us will go to great lengths in our pursuit of pearly whites.
As well as teeth whitening kits, including the best-selling Crest Whitening Strips, there's a plethora of more natural ways to brighten your smile.
Coconut oil is touted for its teeth whitening benefits, along with charcoal.
Charcoal is having a real moment in the beauty and wellness world, and has been taking over social media with those infamous peel-off masks. But the benefits of the porous black solid go far beyond having a good laugh at someone's failed beauty tutorial or the weird pleasure of watching a successful video of blackheads being peeled-off skin.
In fact, charcoal has been used for medicinal purposes and water treatment for centuries - and it can be extremely beneficial for not only your skin, but your hair, health and overall wellbeing (including as a cure for hangovers). The latest and greatest way to use it? To help you achieve those gleaming white teeth you've longed for.
Activated charcoal is pure carbon, which is treated and “activated” to create a fine black odourless and tasteless powder which is highly absorbent. Who knew?
One brand cashing in on the ancient beauty remedy is Beverly Hills Formula, who have released a Perfect White Black Mouthwash packed with activated charcoal for £4.49.
The first of its kind, the ‘shake to activate’ mouthwash has been scientifically formulated to combat bad breath and remove up to 90% of stains. Now that's a bold claim.
I tried it out and can confirm it's super simple to use morning and night; you simply pop a capful into your mouth and swirl it around for 30 seconds. The formula is quite strong so you'll struggle to keep it in your mouth for longer than that and be sure to wash your mouth out with water after because that black stained tongue look isn't the one.
I've been using the mouthwash for a week now and have honestly already noticed a difference, especially in photos. Considering how simple it is to use, I don't know why it's taken me so long to incorporate this step into my beauty regime.
If you'd rather get creative and whip up a DIY whitening toothpaste, you can buy activated charcoal from your local health food store or pharmacy - as it is usually sold in tablets you can grind up one or two, and mix it with enough water to form a dense paste, which you will use to brush your teeth with for at least three minutes. Rinse profusely and then brush your teeth normally with your usual toothpaste. Voila!
Here are the best teeth whitening kits for you to peruse...
Getty ImagesBest Whitening Toothpastes and Mouthwashes
The method: This off-the-counter option is a budget hero that delivers results over time, but most importantly cares for your dental hygiene. The way toothpastes and mouthwashes work to brighten your smile is by employing polishers and abrasives that will remove surface stains and lighten discolouration (like dark spots), combined with gentle chemical bleaching agents to whiten. The new Colgate Max White Expert Complete Whitening Toothpaste, also contains 'optic brighteners', which reflect blue light to make your teeth look instantly whiter. Kind of like how purple toning shampoo eliminates brassy tones and brightens blonde hair.
The results: Let us stress again: gentle chemical bleaching agents – otherwise you wouldn't be able to use them every day – so a toothpaste and a mouthwash will never get you a Hollywood-white smile. But they will help remove stains, giving the illusion of a whiter smile and keeping your mouth healthy. So it's a good idea to use these as continued treatments before and after other whitening methods.
Product suggestions: Listerine Advanced White, £5.60, Boots; Janina Ultrawhite Whitening Toothpaste, £11.50, Amazon, Colgate Max White Expert Complete Whitening £6, Amazon.
Getty ImagesBest Whitening Lights
The method: Using dentist technology, the blue spectrum light helps to activate whitening gel to accelerate the removal of stains, yellowing and discolouration.
The results: From just the first use, your teeth will apparently start appearing whiter.
Product suggestions: White Glo White Accelerator (Blue Light Technology), £14.99
Getty ImagesBest Whitening Strips
The method: Strips are the next step up from toothpaste, but can still easily be done at home. Strips are pre-coated in a gel that can contain hydrogen peroxide, and should be applied to dry teeth and left for up to an hour. Strips tend to have stronger whitening agents in them than toothpaste, and therefore should only be used every two weeks.
The results: While a whitening toothpaste will produce gradual results, strips have a more noticeable effect with a slight difference before and after use (especially the very first time you use them). When used in conjunction with a whitening toothpaste, you'll see the best results.
Product suggestions: Spotlight Teeth Whitening Strips, £40, Boots. Although only available in America, here's our review of the popular Crest strips.
Getty ImagesBest Professional Whitening
The method: Aaaaah the white glove treatment! Do you really think celebrities use at-home kits every night? No, no they don't. This is a one stop shop (at the dentists office) with a starting price of £500 - yes, you've read that right. Overall, in clinic treatments will always be more effective than at-home ones: "Because the level of whitening agents is greatly reduced in kits like strips and gels. In clinic treatments can be tailored to your needs; if one tooth is significantly darker than others this can be targeted and brought up to a same colour as the others" - says Tim Bradstock-Smith, from The London Smile Clinic. In other words, your smile will be worthy of its price tag.
The results: A-list worthy and what we like most about this one: it's instantaneous! You won't have to wait to see progress or continue with the treatment for weeks. You just have to walk in and walk out of the dentist's office, 30 minutes (to an hour) later.
Product suggestions: The London Smile Clinic's brilliant Philips Zoom Teeth Whitening treatment is £795 at The London Smile Clinic, Ground Floor East, 40-44 Clipstone Street, London W1W 5DW. Call 020 7255 2559 or visit www.londonsmile.co.uk for more information.
Getty ImagesBest Whitening Gels
The method: Now we're crossing into professional territory. Although you might have heard that 'a friend of friend' bought the gel syringes and did it all at home, we strongly advise you to pay a visit to the dentist before trying this method. Here's why: while the whitening strips get great results, the gels can really give you that super white smile. Simply because strips contain 1% to 10% of hydrogen peroxide (the main whitening agent on all these products), while the gels can go up to 35% - yep, quite impressive.
And because just applying the gel onto your teeth, may cause irritation to the gums and unwanted whiter spots, you should have a tray made specifically for you - an online-bought ill-fitting tray can cause the same problems. So visit your dentist, they'll be able to tailor make a tray for you and administrate the gel percentage you should be using.
The results: The closer you'll get to an A-list worthy smile without paying the price of a professional Hollywood whitening treatment at the dentist's office. The treatment is done overnight for about a week or two, and may cause sensitivity. Bonus points for the long-lasting results (we're talking years people, years!).
Product suggestions: It is a known fact that the best whitening gels are not sold wholesale, but you can find products online if you already have your tray and just want a top-up.
Getty ImagesBest Charcoal Teeth Whitening
The method: Charcoal is by far our favourite - and the most trendy - way of whitening teeth. DIY a whitening toothpaste by buying activated charcoal from your local health food store or pharmacy. As it is usually sold in tablets you can grind up one or two, and mix it with enough water to form a dense paste, which you will use to brush your teeth with for at least three minutes. Rinse and then brush your teeth normally with your usual toothpaste. You can also just buy ready-to-use charcoal formulas and toothpastes.
The results: Subtle, but definitely more visible than your regular whitening toothpaste & mouthwash. We love that the results are quick and organic.
Product suggestions: Polished London Charcoal Teeth Whitening Powder, £14.99, Amazon; Teeth Whitening Activated Charcoal Powder 100% Natural, £9.99, Pro Teeth Whitening Co; Ecodenta Extra Black Whitening Toothpaste with Black Charcoal & Teavigo, £4.99, Amazon; Procoal Activated Charcoal Teeth Whitening Powder, £9.99, Amazon
