Many people dream of having lighter and brighter teeth, and there are lots of different ways to obtain a whiter smile, from professional teeth whitening procedures to over-the-counter products like teeth whitening strips. There are even home remedies for teeth whitening, like baking soda.
But does baking soda work to whiten teeth? And what are the pros and cons of using baking soda to clean your teeth? In this guide, we’ll cover all you need to know about baking soda for teeth whitening, including how it works and whether or not it’s worth it.
What Is Baking Soda?
Before we look at how baking soda can whiten teeth, it's important to have a basic understanding of what this product is. Also known as sodium bicarbonate, baking soda is a white powder that has lots of uses around the house.
As the name implies, baking soda can be used in baking and is really helpful for making cakes and breads rise up in the oven. But it can also be used for cleaning stains, making your laundry detergent more effective, and so much more.
Can Baking Soda Whiten Teeth?
So, does baking soda whiten teeth? The simple answer is yes, baking soda can absolutely help to whiten and lighten your teeth. It's effective at getting rid of surface stains and yellowness, leaving your teeth looking cleaner and brighter.
In fact, baking soda is one of the most popular home remedies for teeth whitening, and many people have used baking soda throughout history to both clean and brighten their teeth. So, it could be an interesting product for you to try, too.
How Does Baking Soda Whiten Teeth?
So, what is it about baking soda that makes it a good teeth whitener? Well, baking soda has abrasive qualities. This means that it can rub away at things, and when used on the teeth, it's capable of effectively rubbing away the surface stains, making the teeth look whiter.
However, one of the issues with using baking soda on teeth is that it’s only really effective on those aforementioned surface stains. If you have marks that are deeper down in your teeth, baking soda may not have much of an effect.
Benefits of Baking Soda for Teeth Whitening
There are various benefits of using baking soda solutions, like baking soda toothpaste or baking soda mouthwash, to help clean and whiten your teeth. Here are some of the main advantages that have made baking soda a popular option with so many people:
- Reduces Plaque - Over time, plaque naturally builds up on the surface of your teeth and can lead to tooth decay, cavities, and other issues. Brushing your teeth with baking soda is great for wearing away at the plaque and removing it.
- Antibacterial - Studies have shown that baking soda can also be beneficial for reducing the amount of harmful bacteria in the mouth. This can help to improve your overall oral health and reduce the chances of cavities and other problems.
- Stain Removal - Of course, baking soda has also proven to be a useful whitening agent. It can get rid of surface stains on your teeth that can be caused by the likes of tea, coffee, and wine.
- Natural - A lot of people like baking soda because it's such a natural and relatively safe product to use. Using your own baking soda toothpaste means that you won't have to worry about excess fluoride or chemicals.
- Cheap and Accessible - Another big benefit of baking soda is the fact that it's really cheap and easy to access. You can buy baking soda easily in grocery stores and pharmacies, and most people have some of this soda at home already.
Side Effects of Baking Soda Teeth Whitening
Unfortunately, even though baking soda has some great benefits and uses for oral health and teeth whitening, it's not perfect. There are some downsides to using baking soda to lighten your teeth, and it’s important to be aware of the disadvantages before deciding if you want to use it.
- Only Mildly Effective - Even though baking soda can offer some teeth whitening properties, it’s not hugely effective. It’s only good for getting rid of light, surface-level stains and won’t do much for teeth that are more deeply stained or yellow.
- Can Damage Enamel - As explained earlier on, baking soda is abrasive and wears away at your teeth every time you use it. If you use it excessively, there's a risk that it can damage the protective enamel layer that guards your teeth against decay.
- Lacks Key Ingredients - A lot of homemade baking soda toothpastes and mixtures lack the other key ingredients that your teeth need to stay healthy, like fluoride, which helps to defend against cavities.
- Unpleasant Taste and Texture - A lot of people also find that baking soda isn't very pleasant to use on their teeth. It can feel powdery and grainy, like having sand in the mouth, and it doesn't have a nice minty taste like commercial toothpastes.
How to Use Baking Soda for Teeth Whitening
There are various ways to make use of baking soda to lighten and clean your teeth. Here are some of the methods you can use:
- Home-Made Toothpaste - You can make your own baking soda toothpaste by blending equal parts of baking soda and water into a paste and then brushing your teeth gently.
- Home-Made Mouthwash - You can also make your own baking soda mouthwash, blending a small amount of baking soda with water and a little salt.
- Commercial Toothpastes - You can also simply buy and use a commercial toothpaste that contains baking soda as one of its listed ingredients.
Other Teeth Whitening Home Remedies
As we can see, baking soda can be a really handy ingredient to use in the fight for lighter and whiter teeth, but it does have some limitations and drawbacks, and there may be situations when it simply won’t give you the results you’re looking for.
When that happens, you’ll want to pursue alternative options. Teeth whitening products, like teeth whitening toothpaste and teeth whitening pens, are some of the best products to use to get rid of stains and enjoy long-lasting results.
Such products are convenient, easy to work with, and don’t have the same risks and problems as baking soda can have. Otherwise, you can also pursue professional whitening treatments at a dental clinic near you.
