A bright and radiant smile is an indicator of proper oral hygiene and good oral health. As a result of the numerous teeth-whitening alternatives available today; one common household item that has piqued the interest of many people over the years is baking soda. While researchers believe there are natural whitening properties in baking soda, can baking soda whiten teeth actually?
In this blog we examine the science behind how baking soda acts as a whitener for teeth and look at what types of benefits or risks you may encounter while using it as a teeth whitening agent.
What is Baking Soda?
Baking soda, or sodium bicarbonate, refers to a chemical compound with cleaning and deodorising properties. It is alkaline in nature, meaning it will neutralise acids; therefore making it a common ingredient in many cleaning products found around your home. Additionally, baking soda has been used for years as a tooth whitener and cleaner.
Does brushing with baking soda whiten teeth?
Yes, baking soda can act as an effective tooth whitening agent. The reason for its long history as a tooth whitener is due to the safe, but slightly abrasive surface cleaner that works effectively to remove any visible stains on the surface of your teeth. Baking soda gently exfoliates your tooth surface to eliminate extrinsic stains occurring due to intake of coloured drinks like tea, coffee, or red wine. This adds to the whiteness and beauty that you desire in your smile.
The gritty texture of baking soda offers a polishing effect – giving the teeth a shiny, reflective surface. Baking soda’s ability to remove surface stains allows you to maintain that beautiful white colour on your teeth, while its texture creates smooth surfaces to resist the bacteria causing plaque build-up from adhering to.
In addition to its impact on the oral health through mechanical cleaning, baking soda is slightly alkaline in nature. Alkalinity creates an environment that inhibits the growth of harmful bacteria that lead to tooth discolouration and plaque formation. By maintaining a balanced pH in the mouth, you will experience a brighter, whiter smile, and be less likely to develop oral health concerns that arise from continued exposure to acids in the mouth.
As it is a mild abrasive and an alkalising agent, baking soda’s dual action can serve as a great alternative for those looking for an all-natural and effective method for improving their oral hygiene practices. However, if users think ‘does baking soda damage enamel’, they should be cautious when using baking soda to ensure that they do not cause any damage to the enamel of their teeth through excessive use of the product, as well as get a recommendation from their dentist to determine how baking soda fits with their specific oral health care needs.
Benefits of Using Baking Soda for Whitening Teeth
- Removes Surface Stains: Due to its mild abrasiveness, baking soda can help to lift and remove surface stains from teeth, resulting in a brighter smile.
- Plaque Reduction: Baking soda’s alkaline properties may help to reduce the amount of plaque that forms in the mouth and, therefore, may help to promote improved oral health.
- Cost-Effective: In addition to being a natural and effective method for teeth whitening, baking soda is also inexpensive and readily available to most people who want an affordable way to whiten their teeth.
- Neutralises Plaque Acids: Because of its ability to neutralise plaque acids more efficiently than other materials, baking soda also offers a greater degree of assistance in providing better oral hygiene.
- Whitens Teeth Gently: Baking soda can help to keep your enamel intact while still being effective as a mild abrasive to lift and remove surface stains from your teeth to offer you a whiter smile.
- Remove Plaque without Abrasivity to Preserve Your Enamel: Although all toothpastes have abrasive particles in them so they can effectively remove plaque, over time some of these can actually damage your enamel, causing it to be at an increased risk for acid erosion.
When using baking soda as toothpaste, you can actually get better protection from the wear of your enamel by using toothpaste with a lower RDA value (Relative Dentin Abrasion) than using non-baking soda toothpaste.
By how long can you see the results of whitened teeth from baking soda?
The most common question regarding the use of baking soda to whiten your teeth is – ‘How long does it take to achieve whiter teeth from using baking soda?’ The answer is somewhat variable and will depend on multiple factors.
With that said, baking soda is only able to whiten teeth gradually over time, meaning that one must continue to use the product regularly to get any noticeable results. Because baking soda is a mild abrasive, it will require continued usage over a fair period of time to see any substantial improvement. However, with continued use, baking soda can start to whiten teeth in as little as two days and could take anywhere from two to three weeks to see small visible results on your teeth.
Factors that Affect How Long It Takes to Whiten Your Teeth with Baking Soda
- Severity of Stains: The whitening results you get when using baking soda will depend on how stained your teeth are. If you have mostly surface stains like those caused by coloured food, tea or coffee, you will probably notice a difference sooner than if you have intrinsic stains inside your teeth that have been in there for many years.
- Frequency of Use: When using baking soda for teeth whitening, consistency is really important. If you use it frequently, you are much more likely to see quicker results than someone who only uses it once in a while.
- Individual Differences: Everyone’s teeth react differently to different whitening products. Factors like your natural tooth color, enamel thickness, and how healthy your mouth and gums are can determine how quickly and dramatically your teeth whiten with baking soda.
How to Whiten Your Teeth with Baking Soda – Four Ways
1. Toothpaste with Baking Soda
This is the simplest way to whiten your teeth with baking soda. All you do is add a little baking soda to your regular toothpaste and brush your teeth normally with this homemade baking soda toothpaste.
2. Water and Baking Soda
The most popular method for tooth whitening is by using a mixture of baking soda and water. Simply take a small bowl or cup, add a few drops of water to a half teaspoon of baking soda, and mix it together to form a paste. Next place the paste on your teeth with either a toothbrush or your finger for about 2 to 3 minutes, then rinse well with water.
3. Baking Soda and Lemon
Lemon provides a source of citric acid, which has a lightening effect on stains as organic bleach. To brush with this combination of baking soda and lemon juice, add 1/2 teaspoon of each to create a thick paste. Use this mixture to brush your teeth to get best results!
4. Hydrogen Peroxide and Baking Soda
Whitening your teeth can also be accomplished by brushing with a paste made by combining baking soda and hydrogen peroxide. To create this paste, mix together about a 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda with the same amount of hydrogen peroxide until you reach a sticky consistency (it should stick to your finger when you touch it). Brush your teeth using the paste for about 1 to 2 minutes, then rinse your mouth out with either water or mouthwash. You can also make a hydrogen peroxide and baking soda mouthwash at home.
Considerations and Potential Drawbacks of Using Baking Soda for Whitening Teeth
- Abrasive in Nature: Baking soda does remove surface stains very effectively; however, due to its abrasive nature, it can cause damage to teeth if continued use is too abrasive. Over time the continuous abrasiveness from excessive brushing with baking soda can wear away enamel on teeth, which will eventually result in an increase in tooth sensitivity and other dental complications.
- Less Effective For Deep Intrinsic Stains: While it may help with whitening surface stains, baking soda does not have as much of an impact on intrinsic discolouration as some other products available through dentists.
- Taste and Grit-Oriented Texture: Many will find that baking soda has an unpleasant taste and grittier texture when compared to other products, making it less attractive for daily or routine use.
- Requires Consistent Application: As with any product that is abrasive to enamel, achieving consistent and uniform results using baking soda requires consistent application using the same method and technique, which can be really challenging.
- Alternating With Regular Toothpaste Will Reduce The Abrasiveness: To further counteract the abrasiveness associated with using baking soda, it may be a good idea to use regular fluoride toothpaste between applications. Regular fluoride toothpaste not only helps restore enamel health and strength to teeth, but it can also create a barrier between the enamel and cavity-causing agents found on the tongue and lips after eating if used regularly.
- Tooth Sensitivity: People with thin enamel or sensitive teeth should always consult their dentist before starting an oral care regimen that includes the use of baking soda.
- Existing Dental Conditions: If you have an existing dental condition, such as periodontal disease or cavities, you need to talk with a dentist regarding your treatment options before using baking soda to clean your teeth.
- No Fluoride: Another disadvantage associated with cleaning your teeth with baking soda is that baking soda does not contain fluoride. Studies over many years have shown that using fluoride toothpaste is effective in reducing cavities in a dose-dependent manner. The more fluoride you have in the fluoride toothpaste, the better the protection you will receive against cavities.
How to use baking soda for teeth whitening safely?
Follow the tips below to avoid baking soda in toothpaste side effects:
- Moderation is Required: You should only use baking soda two to three times a week to avoid over-exfoliating your teeth. A majority of individuals feel comfortable and confident that they can achieve these results in a very limited number of times.
- Mixing with Water: It is also helpful to mix baking soda with water to create a paste-like consistency. This will help to control the consistency of the paste and decrease its abrasive qualities.
- Use Sparingly: Try to limit your usage of baking soda to once or twice a week to remove stains from the surface of your teeth without causing damage to the enamel. Avoid using baking soda to remove stains from the inner part of your teeth, such as the front and back surfaces.
- Use a Soft-bristled Toothbrush: Use a toothbrush with soft bristles to maintain a gentle technique of removing surface staining. You should also use circular motions to apply light pressure. Avoid using too much force on your toothbrush as this could damage your tooth enamel, irritate your gum tissues, and potentially lead to gum disease.
- Use in Combination with Fluoride Toothpaste: Finally, baking soda should be used as a supplement to your regular fluoride-containing toothpaste, and not as a substitute for fluoride toothpaste.
- Consult with your dentist: Prior to implementing a baking soda regimen, see your dentist to evaluate your teeth and gums for enamel and gum deterioration.
- Professional Guidance: Have a regular dental check-up to ensure good oral health, and obtain professional feedback on your oral health routine.
Conclusion
While baking soda can remove surface stains and help limit plaque build-up, it should be approached with caution. Regular dental check-ups, routine cleaning from a professional dentist, and consulting with your dentist on the safest way to bleach your teeth will be essential for maintaining a healthy and radiant smile.
Get in touch with our Emergency Dentists in London to find out what is best for your dental health and appearance. Contact us to book an appointment today!
FAQs
1. Can you use baking soda as toothpaste every day to brush your teeth?
Yes, it is safe to use baking soda every day when brushing your teeth. If you are sensitive to the ingredients of regular toothpaste and need an alternative, brushing your teeth with baking soda might work well for you. If you want to downsize your gear, use only baking soda while camping or hiking to minimise weight and lessen your ecological footprint.
Also remember if you want to achieve teeth whitening at home with baking soda, your teeth may not appear much whiter immediately after use. You may need to repeat the process several times to remove stubborn stains (such as those occurring from tobacco or coffee).
2. What is the right time to brush teeth with Baking Soda – Before or After Toothpaste?
If you are combining the use of baking soda with regular tooth brushing, use the baking soda first. If you want to use them together, put the baking soda on your toothbrush before you start.
Alternatively, you could add an amount of baking soda to your toothpaste on the brush each time you brush your teeth. If your toothpaste already contains baking soda, you could just go straight to that and not have to mix different types together during brushing.
3. Is baking powder a suitable substitute for brushing your teeth instead of baking soda?
No, baking powder is not recommended as a substitute for baking soda while you brush your teeth. Because it contains corn starch and acid, baking powder does not have the same alkalinity and therefore does not neutralise plaque acid like baking soda does.
4. What are some of the other ways to whiten your teeth?
Hydrogen peroxide is used to create products to whiten your teeth by oxidising brown and yellow stains and discolouration on your teeth. The most effective hydrogen peroxide products are used at dental clinics as special precautions need to be taken to protect the tongue and gums from corrosive hydrogen peroxide amounts.
There are gentler hydrogen peroxide products that you can buy over the counter, and they may take many applications to achieve a significant difference in tooth colour. However, use of natural remedies may also help, such as lemon peel, coconut oil, and activated charcoal, as potential natural tooth whiteners. Before trying these methods, it is highly recommended that you consult your dentist to determine if these methods are safe for your teeth.
5. Can baking soda replace traditional toothpaste?
Although baking soda can be an effective supplement to your current oral hygiene program, it should never replace your regular fluoride toothpaste. Fluoride is critical to remineralising and protecting enamel from acids. When used occasionally, baking soda can be a great adjunct to your dental care program, but it is not a conclusive option on its own.
6. Can baking soda help with sensitivity and tartar?
There is a trend of mixing baking soda with lemon juice for whitening; however, these two products together are very acidic, and may cause irreversible damage to tooth enamel.
An alternative at-home treatment is to make a mouth wash by mixing 1 teaspoon of baking soda into 1 glass of water. This will create a gentle antimicrobial solution that can assist with reducing plaque accumulation.
