Does Baking Soda Whiten Teeth?
Yes, it does. The chemical composition of baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) makes it mildly abrasive, which helps it remove stains from your teeth. In fact, many toothpastes and teeth whitening products use baking soda as one of the main ingredients. Let us now look at the different ways in which you can use baking soda for teeth and brighten your smile almost instantly.
6 Ways To Use Baking Soda To Whiten Teeth
1. Baking Soda And Water
Using baking soda alone with plain water can help in whitening your teeth and removing the plaque build-up. Several studies have concluded that baking soda-based oral products have a significant effect on plaque removal (1), (2). You Will Need
1 teaspoon of baking soda 1-2 teaspoons of plain water
What You Have To Do How Often You Should Do This Do this daily for at least a week.
2. Coconut Oil And Baking Soda
Coconut oil is widely used for its oral benefits. It contains medium-chain fatty acids that have antimicrobial properties, which help in getting rid of oral microbes (3). Coconut oil also exhibits anti-plaque activities, which help in getting rid of plaque build-up that makes your teeth dull and yellowish (4). You Will Need
1 tablespoon of coconut oil 1 tablespoon of baking soda
What You Have To Do How Often You Should Do This Do this 2 to 3 times a week.
3. Baking Soda And Salt
In addition to being a natural antiseptic, salt also has antimicrobial properties (5). It not only helps eliminate oral microbes and plaque but also acts as a mild abrasive and removes stains from your teeth (6). You Will Need
1 1/2 teaspoons of baking soda 1/2 teaspoon of rock salt
What You Have To Do How Often You Should Do This This remedy can give you instant results. But you can continue using it for at least a week.
4. Hydrogen Peroxide And Baking Soda
Hydrogen peroxide is another bleaching agent that is widely used in various mouthwashes and toothpastes. It not only brightens your teeth but is also effective against oral microbes and plaque. The combination of hydrogen peroxide and baking soda releases free radicals that may help in breaking up the plaque build-up and remove stains from your teeth (7), (8). You Will Need
1 tablespoon of baking soda 2 tablespoons of 3% hydrogen peroxide
What You Have To Do How Often You Should Do This This remedy gives you instant results and can be followed twice a week for a month.
5. Toothpaste And Baking Soda
It is recommended that you brush your teeth daily with a fluoride-based toothpaste to get rid of plaque, avoid cavities and tooth decay. While the fluoride in the toothpaste protects your teeth from cavities and helps in removing stains, the abrasive nature of baking soda can help in polishing your teeth and make them whiter (9). You Will Need
1/2 teaspoon of baking soda 1 teaspoon of toothpaste
What You Have To Do How Often You Should Do This Do this twice a week for at least a month.
6. Baking Soda And Foil
Baking soda and toothpaste are quite effective in whitening the teeth and removing stains. Using an aluminium foil to wrap this mixture and leaving it on helps in breaking down the stain molecules on your teeth and gives you brighter and whiter teeth. However, there are no scientific studies to prove these effects. You Will Need
1/2 teaspoon of baking soda 1 teaspoon of toothpaste A small piece of aluminium foil
What You Have To Do How Often You Should Do This Do this once a week.
Points To Keep In Mind
During this process of teeth whitening with baking soda, do not brush your gums as it may cause irritation and bleeding.
If you have periodontal disease, consult your doctor before using baking soda to whiten your teeth.
Always use baking soda in the diluted form as its abrasive nature can cause damage to the enamel.
Avoid using baking soda if you are wearing a permanent retainer as it can affect its integrity.
Do not continue using baking soda on a long-term basis as it can damage your enamel and cause your teeth to become excessively sensitive.
Does it damage your teeth to brush with baking soda? Baking soda is a milder abrasive than some other agents used for teeth whitening and does not cause damage to the teeth if used cautiously and infrequently. However, vigorously brushing with baking soda may damage tooth enamel over time. Can I brush my teeth with baking soda every day? Yes, you can, but baking soda cannot replace fluoride, the component in most toothpastes that strengthens tooth enamel and prevents decay and cavities. Therefore it is not recommended as a substitute for regular brushing.
