YouTube is full of videos of people swearing by one of the newest health fads: activated charcoal as toothpaste.
Alyssa Irvin is one of them, and said it really works.
"I do feel like its less abrasive than the whitening you would get at the dentist off, because I have never had sensitivity," Irvin said.
But Dr. Kamal Patel from Tampa doesn't agree.
"There is really no medical necessity for activated charcoal," Dr. Patel said. "In fact even for teeth, it's been shown to take off some of the enamel from the teeth."
Dr. Patel just finished research on activated charcoal, specifically its use as a detox.
"We found that people that were taking activated charcoal and it was interacting with their prescription medication and that was dangerous," Dr. Patel said.
Swami Juice Tampa sells activated charcoal pills claiming to cure hangovers and flush your system. They even have an activated charcoal pressed juice seasonally on the shelves.
Irvin has tried both the pill and juice for hangovers.
"If I'm going be out drinking, I will have a couple before I leave and then a couple while I'm out and a couple when I get home, but I also drink a lot of water with it," said Irvin.
Neither are FDA approved and the marketing flyers for the pills have a warning to always talk to your healthcare provider about mixing any supplements with medications.
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