While most people opt for dental treatments like power bleaching, LED teeth whitening devices and whitening toothpastes, you can try natural ingredients such as baking soda to whiten your teeth. Baking soda contains chemical compounds that effectively remove the stains from your teeth. Want to know how to use baking soda to whiten teeth? Scroll down to get detailed info!
Does Baking Soda Whiten Teeth?
Yes, it does. Baking soda can be a dental manager as it helps keep your teeth white. 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. A study published in BDJ Open aimed to test the effectiveness of toothpaste containing sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) in removing dental plaque. After a single, timed brushing, the amount of plaque removed with baking soda-containing paste was much higher than with a non-baking soda paste, making it worth exploring the benefits and effectiveness of baking soda in dental hygiene and health.
Effect Of Baking Soda On Teeth
Let us now look at the different ways in which you can use baking soda for teeth and brighten your smile almost instantly.
7 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
Using hydrogen peroxide for teeth whitening has been done for decades. It is another popular 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 aluminum 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 aluminum foil
What You Have To Do How Often You Should Do This Do this once a week.
7. Baking Soda And Lemon Juice
Baking soda and lemon juice make quite the teeth whitening pair. Both ingredients may help remove or lighten stains to whiten your teeth. However, use this remedy sparingly, as both are abrasive and may damage the top layer of your teeth. research found that prolonged exposure to lemon juice could cause enamel erosion and severe damage to the teeth (10). You Will Need
A pinch of baking soda 2-3 drops of lemon juice
What You Have To Do How Often You Should Do This Do this once in 2-3 months.
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. Is it safe to gargle baking soda every day? It is not safe to gargle with baking soda every day as it can erode enamel. Can using baking soda to whiten teeth also help freshen breath? While baking soda can help whiten teeth, it may not help in freshening your breath.
Illustration: Ways To Use Baking Soda To Whiten Your Teeth Naturally
