When you describe a perfect smile, do words such as brilliant, gleaming and 100-watt come to mind?

A photogenic smile – the whiter, the better – certainly has become a cosmetic ideal. We’re willing to do just about anything to have pearly-white teeth. Consumers spend billions every year paying dentists to brighten teeth and buying over-the-counter whitening gels and toothpaste.

And now many are trying do-it-yourself “natural alternatives” for whitening teeth that can sound rather unnatural. Consider these popular options: Brushing with activated charcoal or mud-based pastes and swirling coconut oil in the mouth to turn stained teeth a blinding white.

Read the entire article on the Fresno Bee.