How Safe is it to Brush Your Teeth with Baking Soda? (2024)

Baking soda has been used for a variety of purposes throughout the centuries for health and household uses. It has been used as an alternative for traditional over the counter toothpaste to brush teeth, to help freshen, clean and brighten laundry, as a cleaning tool to unclog a drain when mixed with vinegar, and in many food recipes since it is safe to digest. Many people think of baking soda as a “do-all” product since it can be used in virtually every room in the house for different reasons.

Brushing your teeth with baking soda

What do studies say about brushing with baking soda? Baking soda is considered an acceptable product since it is an ingredient found in many toothpastes with the American Dental Association seal of approval, but it must be used with care. It does not contain fluoride which is important to fighting against tooth decay, and strengthening and remineralization of tooth enamel.

Given the right concentration, baking soda is not abrasive. The baking soda has the same hardness as dentin, and will not wear away your tooth structure excessively, unless you are vigorously brushing your teeth leading to mechanical abrasion. The pH in baking soda will help neutralize plaque acids in your mouth by increasing your mouth pH balance.

What benefits are there to using baking soda?

Brushing teeth with baking soda may help keep your teeth clean and help whiten them in the process. The baking soda is an abrasive so it will help get rid of any surface stains on your teeth. People often mix baking soda with hydrogen peroxide to help whiten their teeth but this combination with a bleaching product may lead to tooth sensitivity, gum and throat irritation, and erosion of tooth enamel.

Baking soda has been shown to help kill bacteria that leads to gum disease and has contributed to better gum health when used without bleaching products. Baking soda helps break up biofilm that irritates the gums and is useful for removing superficial stains.

Schedule your next cleaning and checkup today to help you maintain a healthy and bright smile for years to come. Dr. Melchers and his experienced staffare here to address all your oral health care issues. If you have any concerns about your tooth or gum health contact us today at info@oldmtpleasantdentistry.com to see how we can best meet your dental care needs.

How Safe is it to Brush Your Teeth with Baking Soda? (2024)

FAQs

How Safe is it to Brush Your Teeth with Baking Soda? ›

Brushing once a day with baking soda or on occasion will not damage the teeth. However, brushing too hard or too often with it can lead to damaged tooth enamel. Some people also mix the baking soda with lemon juice, strawberries or other ingredients to clean the teeth.

Is it OK to brush your teeth with just baking soda? ›

The bottom line. Baking soda is an inexpensive, readily available teeth cleanser. As a mild abrasive, it can lighten some tooth stains, and it can help scrub away dental plaque. However, because it doesn't contain fluoride, it's not as effective at preventing cavities as your typical fluoride toothpaste.

What are the disadvantages of baking soda toothpaste? ›

The abrasive texture can also irritate the gums. The alkaline chemical makeup can disrupt the delicate pH balance in your mouth. It is best to avoid toothpaste products containing baking soda as the ingredient is not necessary for clean, healthy teeth.

What does baking soda do to your 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.

How long does it take for baking soda to whiten teeth? ›

But, how long the baking soda takes to work depends on the severity of the stains. Generally, it takes about two weeks of daily use before you start seeing results. If you're looking for a quick fix, other options are available, such as professional teeth whitening in the Colony, TX, or take-home kits.

What are the side effects of rinsing your mouth with baking soda? ›

It Causes Sensitivity

Baking soda may be allergic to some people, especially women, as a result, it may cause rashes and sores on the palate, gums, tongue, and lips. Burning, itching or pain may occur due to mucosal irritation. Also, bleeding gums are not impossible.

How to restore teeth enamel? ›

Enamel can never 'regrow' per se because there are no living cells in the tooth enamel. Your best bet is to treat any existing problems from tooth decay and focus on better oral care and hygiene habits, which will preserve the enamel you have and prevent further deterioration.

Why do dentist not recommend baking soda? ›

The Disadvantages And Risks Of Using Baking Soda

It can damage the enamel which may cause the teeth to become more sensitive than they should be to hot or cold temperatures, and it can also make brushing your teeth by itself painful. Damage to the enamel can also make the teeth more likely to attract cavities.

Is Arm and Hammer baking soda toothpaste safe for teeth? ›

ARM & HAMMER™ brand toothpastes sometimes feels gritty. Will they hurt my teeth? The grittiness is most likely the feel of the baking soda before it quickly dissolves in your mouth. Rest assured that ARM & HAMMER™ products are low in abrasion and will not harm your teeth.

Who should not use baking soda? ›

Swelling (edema): Because sodium bicarbonate contains sodium, it can increase the risk of swelling caused by excess fluids in the body. People with heart failure, liver disease, or other conditions associated with fluid build-up should use sodium bicarbonate with caution.

How do you get rid of yellow teeth overnight? ›

No treatment can whiten teeth overnight, but some options are faster than others. Natural or over-the-counter treatment may take longer than treatments at the dentist's office. Even in the latter case, whitening is likely to require several treatment sessions of several hours each.

How to get super white teeth? ›

For your benefit, we've provided you with seven different ways to naturally whiten your teeth.
  1. Eat 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 hydrogen peroxide safe for your teeth? ›

Choose the right concentration: A low concentration of Hydrogen Peroxide (around 3% to 6%) is safe to use for teeth whitening usually without any side effects. Hydrogen Peroxide can produce certain side effects like gum or tooth sensitivity if used often in high concentration.

Does baking soda get rid of yellow teeth? ›

If you're looking to save money and need help whitening your teeth, skip the expensive whitening strips or dentist office treatments. Use low-abrasion baking soda (aka bicarbonate of soda) a couple times per week to help whiten your teeth naturally and simply, without harming your tooth enamel.

Can I brush my teeth with baking soda everyday? ›

Does brushing with baking soda damage teeth? Brushing once a day with baking soda or on occasion will not damage the teeth. However, brushing too hard or too often with it can lead to damaged tooth enamel. Some people also mix the baking soda with lemon juice, strawberries or other ingredients to clean the teeth.

Can I mix baking soda with my toothpaste? ›

Dental care experts often recommend people to mix soda with regular fluoride toothpaste. The simple home remedy is also recommended for patients who use chlorhexidine mouth rinses as a part of treatment for oral health issues. Baking soda helps in quickly getting rid of stains left on teeth due to chlorhexidine.

Is brushing without toothpaste effective? ›

While toothpaste manufacturers claim that you need toothpaste to brush your teeth, it's not true. Toothpaste is not necessary to make your teeth clean or healthy. Studies have shown that brushing without toothpaste is just as effective in removing plaque and in some cases it's more effective.

Does baking soda remove plaque? ›

Does baking soda remove plaque from teeth? This is a question we're often asked and the short answer is yes, it does! Baking soda neutralizes acid and helps kill bacteria. Put a small amount of baking soda on your toothbrush (around a tablespoon is fine), and then wet the toothbrush.

What is better for whitening teeth, baking soda or baking powder? ›

Baking soda is the active ingredient in baking powder, but baking powder also contains starch and acid. For the means of teeth whitening, baking soda is preferable as it better preserves a healthy pH in the mouth.

How to whiten teeth without damaging enamel? ›

Brush with baking soda and hydrogen peroxide paste:

Baking soda has teeth whitening properties; that's why it's prevalent in toothpaste commercials. It helps in rubbing off stains from the tooth surface due to its mildly abrasive nature. Hydrogen peroxide, on the other hand, is a natural bleaching agent.

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