How to Use Charcoal Toothbrushes: Is It Any Better Than a Regular Toothbrush?
Our smiles are really important to us, no matter how old we are. But it seems that as we get older, we become more self-conscious about our smiles! 
On average, kids smile at least 400 times a day. But on the contrary, adult men and women barely smile an eighth as much as a child. While there are many factors that probably contribute to this, one common factor is that as adults we tend to become much more self-conscious about our smiles!
That is because as adults we are much more aware of our teeth’ imperfections. That includes staining, cavity fillings, or chipped teeth. But there are so many different options for helping us feel more confident with our smiles again-one of those being the types of toothbrushes we can use!
Back in the 1930s people didn’t have many options when it came to toothbrushes. Now, we have an extensive range of toothbrushes to choose from, including electronic toothbrushes and even charcoal toothbrushes! But how do you know what one to pick and which one is right for you?
But First, Let’s Talk About Toothbrushes in General.
Before we get too far into the types of toothbrushes, there are some important things that we need to discuss when it comes to your toothbrush. For example, did you know that there are actually a lot of things like bacteria and germs that live on your toothbrush? Think about it, our toothbrushes are designed to get the bad stuff out of our mouth, but where does it go after our brush snags it?
It is important to recognize the range of things that live on our toothbrush so that we all remember to practice great care with toothbrush hygiene and ensure that our brushes remain as clean as possible, no matter what type of brush we are using!
Here are some common safety practices to remember when it comes to using our toothbrush.
- Keep away from the toilet. We tend to all leave our toothbrushes in our bathroom, which is normally in close proximity to the toilet. There is always the chance that unwanted germs and bacteria can make its way to our toothbrush if we leave it exposed and out in the open. So make sure to always have a toothbrush cover that you place over the bristles so it doesn’t capture gross stuff like e-coli that could make you really sick!
- Your toothbrush cover still needs to be cleaned. While toothbrush holders prevent external germs and bacteria from reaching our brush, they also tend to capture a ton of bacteria and germs that it got out of our mouth in the first place. So while we definitely recommend using a toothbrush cover when you are not using or are traveling, remember to clean the cover too!
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There are easy hacks to keep your toothbrush clean. There are a range of simple hacks you can do frequently to ensure that your toothbrush remains clean and bacteria-free! This also means being sensible with your toothbrush and not throwing it away every month, as we have a duty to look after the environment, too. Options include washing your toothbrush with a UV sanitizer and soaking your toothbrush in mouthwash! Whatever hack you choose to do, just make sure you do it frequently!
Now, What’s the Fuss About Charcoal Toothbrushes?
There is no denying that we all want white and bright teeth. But what is the best way to achieve this result? This is where activated charcoal toothbrushes come into play.
In general, activated charcoal has taken over the health and wellness scene, becoming an obsession for many! This is due to the health benefits that come with it, such as allowing extra cleansing power, which is why it’s found in items like facemasks. But it can also be used in toothbrushes too!
Charcoal toothbrushes are infused with charcoal to really go after the gunk in your mouth. The activated charcoal used in the bristles of the toothbrush is made from natural sources like coconut shell, bamboo, or oak. What happens is that this natural source is slowly burned and then cooled to produce the natural charcoal! This is then infused into the bristles of the toothbrush, so rather than brushing your teeth with nylon (as most regular toothbrushes have), you are brushing your teeth with charcoal that removes the nitty-gritty stuff.
These toothbrushes tend to come with a wooden bamboo handle but can also come with a rubber handle as well. But as those who tend to select activated charcoal brushes for natural purposes as well, the bamboo option is always the best option for the environment too, as it is biodegradable!
So in short, people are gravitating towards wanting to switch their toothbrushes to ones with charcoal bristles because they tend to be a more natural brush option with both health options for you and environmental benefits for the world.
What Are the Actual Benefits?
When you use a charcoal toothbrush, it can produce a range of benefits for you—both health-wise and vanity wise. The top benefits proven from brushing with a charcoal toothbrush are:
It absorbs the bad stuff.
Because the charcoal is still activated, it is able to naturally absorb unwanted or unneeded particles, acting as an antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral agent. It also gets rid of that unwanted plaque build-up on your teeth. Plaque build-up is one of the main causes of any tooth and gum damage, so getting rid of that stuff is always a priority. What the charcoal bristles are able to do that a normal toothbrush can’t is that it is able to naturally absorb and bind the bacteria in your mouth at the same time to eliminate it, rather than a standard toothbrush just sweeping it away but risking it still remaining in your mouth
It whitens your teeth.
Brushing your teeth with an activated charcoal brush has incredible whitening effects. We all want whiter teeth, but habits such as drinking too much coffee can cause our teeth to become stained an unwanted yellow color. The charcoal bristles on the toothbrush are able to actually remove those stains and make your teeth look brighter and whiter than you ever thought possible! Rather than spending hundreds of dollars on getting your teeth bleached at the dentist’s office, you can simply swap your toothbrush to a charcoal one and get instantly whiter teeth!
However, with this whitening comes quite a level of abrasion, which can be bad news for sensitive teeth.
Your breath will smell better.
As to be expected, when you have a build-up of plaque and bacteria in your mouth, your breath will probably not smell the greatest. However, when you brush your teeth with a charcoal toothbrush, you are able to remove the unwanted plaque and bacteria, instantly making your breath smell better. You and your significant other will both love this benefit of the charcoal toothbrush!
It is the more sustainable option.
In general, the more natural option you are able to purchase, the better off the environment will be in the long run. The same goes for your toothbrush! As mentioned earlier, charcoal toothbrushes tend to come with a bamboo handle. Unlike its plastic counterpart, the bamboo is able to naturally decompose after it is discarded, so you don’t have to feel guilty about it ending up in the rubbish dump. Not only will your teeth thank you and feel better from using a charcoal toothbrush, but you will also feel better emotionally for knowing you are making the world a tiny bit better of a place simply from the toothbrush you decide to use.
What Type of Toothbrush Should I Use?
It all comes down to personal preference. In general, the best toothbrushes are all personal preference, plus considering what materials they’re made of and how soft or hard the bristles are.
Cost, packaging, size, and brand are important components to consider when purchasing any toothbrush. You want to make sure that you are able to use it comfortably, the bristles are the right type of texture for your specific teeth and tooth enamel, and that you and your dentist agrees it is the right toothbrush for you!
At the end of the day, the best toothbrush for you comes down to how effective it actually is on your teeth! The best way to do this is through comparison. So if you are already brushing your teeth with a regular toothbrush, try swapping it out with a bamboo or charcoal toothbrush for a few weeks and see if you notice any differences.
We think that our natural and organic bamboo toothbrushes are also pretty cool, with both eco-friendly benefits and natural cleaning benefits as well, which pairs great with our Nano Silver toothpastes--making it the real dream team of oral hygiene!
Closing Thoughts
We live in a generation where we are spoiled for choice when finding the perfect toothbrush for our teeth. But there is a reason that so many people are falling in love with the charcoal toothbrush, as it is able to eliminate all the bad stuff on your teeth while equally making your teeth whiter and brighter.
When we feel better about our teeth, we tend to smile a little bit more. And we can easily increase the number of times we smile during the day simply through the type of toothbrush we decide to use!
Sources:
https://www.nourishedlife.com.au/article/30979/benefits-of-binchotan-charcoal-toothbrushes.html
https://www.electricteeth.com/uk/whitening/charcoal-toothbrush/
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