The internet is home to countless home remedies, do-it-yourself (DIY) solutions, and teeth whitening products. Is baking soda bad for your teeth? Does it actually whiten them? We’re here to tell you what the pros have to say about the effectiveness and safety of using baking soda to whiten your teeth. Show Baking Soda and Teeth WhiteningBaking soda, also known as sodium bicarbonate, is a type of salt readily available in most homes. On its own, it usually looks like a small crystal (similar to table salt) or a fine powder. One practical use of baking soda in dental products is as a toothpaste ingredient. You can generally whiten your teeth in two ways: by bleaching the teeth with peroxides or using an abrasive to remove stains. Baking soda is an abrasive that can help remove stains when rubbed against your teeth's hard outer layer known as the enamel. Considering using toothpaste with baking soda? Luckily, toothpaste containing baking soda is effective and safe for whitening teeth, according to the Journal of the American Dental Association. Even better, baking soda is less abrasive than many alternatives and similar in hardness to your teeth’s dentin. Together, these factors make it a safe option for daily use in your oral care routine. Because baking soda removes discoloration from the surface of your teeth, it won’t remove deeper stains. According to the Mayo Clinic, toothpaste containing baking soda can help coffee and smoking stains, and it could take between two to six weeks for you to notice a difference. If a toothpaste containing baking soda doesn’t whiten your teeth as much as you’d like, consider scheduling an appointment with a dentist or dental hygienist. According to the University of Rochester Medical Center, professional whitening treatments can work as well as weeks of at-home options, so they might be a great choice for your smile. Helpful tip: Baking soda is not the same as baking powder. Unlike baking soda, baking powder also contains acid and cornstarch used as an ingredient in baking. You won’t find any toothpaste with baking powder! Homemade RemediesWhen it comes to whitening your teeth, it’s important to remember that there are no magic solutions, and you should consider your safety first. Tooth whitening remedies involving baking soda mixed with less well-studied ingredients have been popularized online due to their low cost, wide availability of ingredients, and simplicity of use. Sadly, popular doesn’t mean safe and effective, so it’s best to stick with products formulated by the pros. It's a good idea to avoid whitening tips shared via amateur blogs and remember that do-it-yourself (DIY) solutions can be dangerous. It can be hard to measure ingredients on your own, and you may irritate your tooth’s pulp when using whitening remedies. We recommend consulting your dental professional before using any whitening remedies or products. Other Oral Care TipsBaking soda can help out with whitening your teeth but isn’t sufficient on its own to prevent cavities, gum disease, and other dental problems. Using toothpaste with baking soda shouldn’t be seen as a replacement for any part of your dental routine but as a complement to it. The good news is a proper oral care routine is a big step towards keeping your mouth healthy and your teeth pearly white. Important tips for your oral care:
Baking soda has been proven to be a smart choice to whiten your teeth but isn’t a fix-all for your dental health. Be sure to practice a full oral care routine and consult with your dental professional if you’re considering using whitening products. You’re now set up for success with knowledge on the use and safety of baking soda to whiten teeth. Baking soda has long been used as an alternative to toothpaste. Many people will admit to brushing teeth with baking soda. Today, many toothpaste manufacturers incorporate baking soda into their formula. As with most things, there are pros and cons associated with using this agent as a toothpaste alternative.
Cons of Brushing Teeth with Baking Soda
Skeptical of brushing your teeth with baking soda alone? If you want the cleaning benefit provided by brushing teeth with baking soda, but also want the added protection provided by a toothpaste that contains fluoride and protects against cavities, you may consider Crest Pro-Health toothpastes. Available in various flavors/varieties (Clean Mint, Smooth Peppermint, and Whitening Power), this product is the first and only toothpaste that is accepted by the American Dental Association for six different areas: cavities, gingivitis, plaque, whitening, sensitivity, and breath. Sources: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19278079 Related articlestoothpaste The Best Toothpaste for Gingivitis and Gum Disease Read article toothpaste What are the Best Whitening Toothpastes? Read article toothpasteCrest’s Best Toothpastes for 2021 Read article Discover More The Best Toothpaste for Gingivitis and Gum DiseaseIs it OK to brush my teeth with baking soda?How often is it OK to use baking soda to brush teeth? The Journal of the American Dental Association states that baking soda is safe for daily use. It is a good idea to only use baking soda to brush the teeth once per day. Use a good fluoride toothpaste to brush teeth the rest of the time.
How long should I keep baking soda on my teeth?Baking soda will generally need to be used correctly in order to protect the teeth's enamel from damages. The soda should ideally not be used too frequently since it can damage the enamel as a result of frequent use. It should generally only be used about once per a week and for two minutes at a time.
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