If you’re still wondering “how often,” here’s your cheat sheet: 1) Only for acute issues. 2) Never daily. 3) Always with water. And don’t forget to buy a toothbrush whitening kit for the next morning, because your smile will look like you’ve been chewing on asphalt. Life is already messy—you don’t need to add a charcoal addiction to the pile.
So go ahead, keep that bottle in your emergency kit. But treat it like a fire extinguisher: break glass only in case of disgusting leftovers. Your gut will thank you, your teeth will forgive you, and your friends will stop asking if you’re okay because your tongue is the color of a goth’s notebook.
