This isn't a Halloween related trick or treat. If you haven't heard, brushing your teeth with charcoal is all the rage. Celebrities swear brushing your teeth with charcoal will make your teeth whiter and copy cats are showing up on social media. If your not familiar with the fad, people are brushing their teeth with activated charcoal; a charcoal that has been heated with a gas. Purists mix charcoal with water to create a pasty substance but now toothpastes, tablets, and gels using these ingredients are flooding the market. These products are classified as "all-natural" by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and not subject to the same regulations as other toothpastes on the market. They also could be lacking fluoride which is essential ingredient used to protect tooth enamel and prevent cavities. In fact, experts warn that charcoal toothpaste may cause opposite effect leading to more cavities and tooth decay. Many celebrities have regularly scheduled professional teeth whitening treatments in addition to using charcoal toothpaste products. If you are looking to make your smile whiter try these natural alternatives or schedule a teeth whitening with your friends at Dental Care of Mid-Florida.