But dental products with charcoal are a different story. They may give you a whiter grin at first. But over time, they can wear down your teeth's hard outer shell-- enamel. That can make your ...

Charcoal-based toothpastes, which claim to whiten teeth, are a "marketing gimmick" which could increase the risk of tooth decay and staining, says a review in the British Dental Journal.

It’s called activated charcoal, or activated carbon. No, it’s not what you use to BBQ ribs. It’s what health-trend fanatics are using to detox, brighten skin, and whiten their teeth.