Does baking soda help to whiten teeth? Your dentist has the answer - Dental Blog - Woodbury Park Dental (2024)

09 January 2023

Does baking soda help to whiten teeth? Your dentist has the answer - Dental Blog - Woodbury Park Dental (1)

Having a white smile has become one of the top accessories and so everyone is always on the hunt for new weird and wonderful ways to whiten their smiles. One of the most common forms of home whitening is the use of baking soda. So, is this a good way to whiten? Does it work? And most importantly could it be doing damage to our precious smiles? Let’s take a look with our dentist in Tunbridge Wells.

What is baking soda?

Baking soda is also known as sodium bicarbonate. It’s a type of salt which is easily available and staple in most homes. Usually it just looks like little crystals or a fine powder and is used in baking and cleaning. You’ll also find it’s commonly used in lots of dental products.

Whitening your teeth

There are two ways most commonly used to whiten teeth either through bleaching the teeth with peroxides or by using an abrasive to remove the stains. The baking soda would work like an abrasive which when rubbed against your teeth will help to remove stains.

Toothpastes with baking soda

If you’ve been looking at toothpastes with baking soda as an option then you’re in luck as there are lots of them on the market. We at Woodbury Park Dental know of lots of gentle and efficient teeth whitening toothpastes and if you speak with our dentist in Tunbridge Wells next time you see us we’ll be able to point you in the direction of some of the safe ones.

As the baking soda only removes stains from the surface level of the teeth and not the enamel it can be passable at removing light stains such as coffee and food, but you might not notice a big difference for four to six weeks.

Other whitening options

If you find that using toothpastes with sodium bicarbonate doesn’t give you the results you want then you could opt for another method. We at Woodbury Park Dental offer a fantastic range of tooth whitening which uses hydrogen or carbamide peroxide and whitens teeth to a professional standard. Teeth will lighten to different degrees depending on how much discolouration was there to begin with. The treatment will again last for a certain length of time depending on how well teeth are taken care of afterwards by the patient.

Preventing discolouration

Here are some tips from our dentist in Tunbridge Wells on avoiding having to whiten all the time.

If you want to keep your teeth looking white then where you can it’s best to avoid food and drinks with high levels of tannins. Examples of these include: berries, spices, tea, coffee, red wine and fruit juices. If you search online you’ll be able to find more examples of what to avoid.

Another less commonly known reason for gradual discolouration is that as we grow older we lose enamel density revealing the dentine layer underneath, this layer is far more yellow in colour. In order to protect the enamel we need to make sure we’re using the right amount of fluoride products and doing what we can to keep the enamel healthy.

Does baking soda help to whiten teeth? Your dentist has the answer - Dental Blog - Woodbury Park Dental (2024)

FAQs

Does baking soda help to whiten teeth? Your dentist has the answer - Dental Blog - Woodbury Park Dental? ›

As the baking soda only removes stains from the surface level of the teeth and not the enamel it can be passable at removing light stains such as coffee and food, but you might not notice a big difference for four to six weeks.

Does baking soda actually whiten teeth? ›

Baking soda has natural whitening properties and has been shown to be effective at removing stains on your teeth and whitening your smile. That's why it's a popular ingredient in many commercial toothpastes.

What does baking soda do to the teeth? ›

Reduces Acidity and Plaque

As such, baking soda not only prevents tooth decay but also helps remineralize your enamel. Baking soda can also limit plaque buildup by neutralizing plaque acids. Many kinds of toothpaste contain baking soda to help clean teeth more effectively and protect against plaque.

What are the pros and cons of baking soda on teeth? ›

Baking soda toothpaste is a safe and effective way to clean and whiten teeth. However, brushing with baking soda alone is not approved by the ADA because baking soda lacks fluoride, an essential cavity-fighting ingredient. An alternative is to purchase a commercial toothpaste that includes baking soda and fluoride.

How do you use baking soda for yellow teeth? ›

Using a paste made of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide is said to remove plaque buildup and bacteria to get rid of stains. Mix 1 tablespoon of baking soda with 2 tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide to make a paste. Rinse your mouth thoroughly with water after brushing with this paste.

How many times a week should I whiten my teeth with baking soda? ›

Remember, you shouldn't whiten your teeth more than two times per week, whether you're adding hydrogen peroxide, baking soda or both. For everyday use, try a whitening toothpaste that has baking soda already built-in and may also have fluoride to help prevent cavities and strengthen your teeth.

How long should you leave baking soda on your 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.

Why do dentist not recommend baking soda? ›

Potentially Damaging. Perhaps the biggest reason to avoid using baking soda for your teeth is its potential to damage enamel or gums. These are both direct results of its abrasive properties that help clean the teeth.

What are the side effects of brushing your teeth with baking soda? ›

It is slightly abrasive and if used repeatedly over time it can weaken tooth enamel, making your teeth more sensitive and vulnerable to dental cavities. Baking soda on its own does not kill the bacteria in the mouth that cause cavities and tooth decay.

How to whiten teeth in 2 minutes? ›

Baking-powder eliminates stains on the surface of your teeth and lemon juice as we already said has multiple components that lighten teeth. Just mix a teaspoon of baking powder and a teaspoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice and brush your teeth with the paste this mixture will work wonders in just two minutes.

What is the best tooth whitening product? ›

The Best Teeth Whitening Kits, According to Dentists
  • OpalescenceGo Prefilled Teeth Whitening Trays, Set of 10. ...
  • Burst Prefilled Whitening Trays, Set of 3. ...
  • PhilipsZoom NiteWhite Kit, Set of 3. ...
  • Dr. ...
  • Colgate Optic White ComfortFit Teeth Whitening Kit. ...
  • Auraglow Teeth Whitening Kit. ...
  • Crest3D Whitestrips, Pack of 22.
Sep 20, 2023

Does hydrogen peroxide whiten teeth? ›

Hydrogen peroxide is a common home remedy for whitening teeth. It is an ingredient in many teeth whitening solutions for use both at home and in the dentist's office. A simple hydrogen peroxide mouthwash may help remove mild stains.

How can I naturally whiten my teeth? ›

Seven Ways to Naturally Whiten Teeth
  1. Eat Strawberries. One of the simplest ways to naturally whiten your teeth is just by eating strawberries. ...
  2. Eat Plenty of Fruits and Vegetables. ...
  3. Brush After You Eat or Drink. ...
  4. Rinse with Apple Cider Vinegar. ...
  5. Apply Coconut Oil. ...
  6. Brush Your Tongue. ...
  7. Use Baking Soda and Hydrogen Peroxide.

How do I get rid of yellow teeth ASAP? ›

1 part of 3% hydrogen peroxide mixed with 2 parts water makes an easy and affordable tooth-whitening mouthwash. Alternatively, create a paste using 3% hydrogen peroxide and baking soda and brush with this to remove yellow stains on teeth.

How to make homemade teeth whitening? ›

Pinterest Tip: Mix 3 teaspoons of baking soda with 2 teaspoons of lemon juice. Use a Q-tip or cotton ball and gently swab teeth. After 30 seconds, rinse and brush teeth.

Can old yellow teeth be whitened? ›

It's natural for teeth to appear darker as they age, but a bleaching product with hydrogen peroxide or urea peroxide can help turn back the clock – and a whitening toothpaste is an easy way to get a jump-start.

Can yellow teeth become white? ›

2. Can yellow teeth be bleached? Yellow teeth can be completely whitened with teeth whitening technologies at the dentist or at home. Depending on the status of your yellow teeth as well as your needs, the doctor will advise and prescribe the appropriate method.

How do celebrities get their teeth so white? ›

For celebrity-level whiteness, cosmetic dentists will usually use one of three different procedures: professional whitening treatments, veneers, or crowns.

How can I whiten my teeth quickly? ›

Seven Ways to Naturally Whiten Teeth
  1. Eat Strawberries. One of the simplest ways to naturally whiten your teeth is just by eating strawberries. ...
  2. Eat Plenty of Fruits and Vegetables. ...
  3. Brush After You Eat or Drink. ...
  4. Rinse with Apple Cider Vinegar. ...
  5. Apply Coconut Oil. ...
  6. Brush Your Tongue. ...
  7. Use Baking Soda and Hydrogen Peroxide.

Is it okay to brush your teeth with baking soda and hydrogen peroxide? ›

For deeper cleaning, people safely can mix baking soda with a small amount of hydrogen peroxide to create a toothpaste. However, since hydrogen peroxide can sting, people with sensitive teeth and gums should discontinue using this paste if they experience pain or discomfort.

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