Baking soda, scientifically known as sodium bicarbonate, is a common household product celebrated for its versatility. It's used in baking, cleaning, and even personal hygiene. Among its many uses, baking soda is often touted as a natural teeth-whitening agent. However, when it comes to dental crowns, the question arises: can baking soda effectively and safely whiten them?
Understanding Dental Crowns
To address this question, it's crucial to understand what dental crowns are. Dental crowns are caps placed over a tooth. They're used to restore a tooth's shape, size, strength, or improve its appearance. Crowns can be made from various materials, including porcelain, ceramic, resin, or metal.
Baking Soda For Teeth Whitening
Baking soda is known for its mild abrasive properties, which makes it effective in removing surface stains on teeth. These surface stains are typically caused by foods, drinks, or smoking. The abrasive nature of baking soda helps in gently scrubbing away these stains, leading to a brighter and cleaner appearance of the natural teeth.
The Impact On Dental Crowns
However, when it comes to dental crowns, especially those made of porcelain or ceramic, the scenario is different. These materials are not like natural tooth enamel. While they are designed to mimic the look of natural teeth, their chemical composition is different. Porcelain and ceramic crowns are more resistant to staining compared to natural teeth but are also more susceptible to abrasion.
Using baking soda on dental crowns can be a double-edged sword. Its abrasive quality, while effective on natural teeth, can potentially damage the surface of porcelain or ceramic crowns. This damage might not be immediately visible but can lead to gradual erosion of the crown's surface. Once the glaze on a crown is compromised, it becomes more susceptible to staining, which defeats the purpose of using baking soda for whitening.
Moreover, if the crown has a metal component, baking soda might cause discoloration or affect its integrity. For composite resin crowns, baking soda can wear down the surface over time, leading to dullness and increased porosity, which might make them more prone to staining.
Alternative Whitening Options
For those with dental crowns looking to brighten their smile, there are safer alternatives to consider:
- Professional Cleaning and Polishing: Regular visits to the dentist for professional cleaning can help maintain the appearance of dental crowns. Dentists use specialized tools and agents that are safe for crowns.
- Specific Toothpaste: Some toothpastes are designed to be less abrasive and safe for use on crowns. Look for products specifically formulated for artificial teeth.
- Preventive Measures: Avoiding or minimizing consumption of stain-causing foods and beverages (like coffee, tea, and red wine) can help keep crowns looking brighter.
- Touch-up Treatments: If the natural teeth around the crowns are discolored, a dentist in Lake Ridge can perform whitening treatments on these teeth, which can indirectly make the crowns appear brighter by contrast.
Schedule Your Appointment At Lake Ridge Dental Today
If you're concerned about the appearance of your dental crowns in Lake Ridge, don't hesitate to reach out to Dr. Sanae Berrada at Lake Ridge Dental. We're here to help you maintain a bright, beautiful smile that you can be proud of. Whether you need advice on caring for your crowns, or you're considering a replacement, we're here to provide the guidance and treatment you need. Call us today to schedule your appointment.
FAQs
Using baking soda on dental crowns can be a double-edged sword. Its abrasive quality, while effective on natural teeth, can potentially damage the surface of porcelain or ceramic crowns. This damage might not be immediately visible but can lead to gradual erosion of the crown's surface.
Does baking soda whiten crowns? ›
Natural Remedies for Whitening
Natural remedies like baking soda and hydrogen peroxide mixtures, along with oil pulling, provide alternative approaches to whitening. It's important to note that while these methods may help with natural teeth, their effectiveness on dental crowns and bridges is uncertain.
Is there anything that will whiten crowns? ›
Whitening a tooth crown
Dental crowns cannot be bleached, but the dentist can whiten existing teeth for a close match to the crowns. The porcelain used for making dental crowns can withstand the powerful whitening agents used in the dentist's office.
How long does baking soda take to whiten teeth? ›
But on average, it can start to remove surface stains within just 2 days. However, it may take as long as two to three weeks to notice small noticeable results. Severity of Stains. The time it takes to see results with baking soda depends on the severity and nature of the stains.
How can you whiten crowns and bridges? ›
Unfortunately, whitening crowns is not an option. You can't whiten veneers or bridges, for that matter, either. A restoration that matches your smile is one of the many reasons why it's important to choose a dentist that's willing to work with you to achieve ideal results.
How can I make my crowns white again? ›
You should always remember that since crowns cannot be whitened, your smile will only be as white as your crown. Work with your dentist to ensure the shade is ideal before placing your crowns. You will not want a shade that is too white if you know you are unlikely to maintain the shade.
What is the best whitening toothpaste for crowns? ›
Arm & Hammer Advance White Toothpaste is a great option for those with crowns who want to keep their teeth looking their best. This toothpaste contains baking soda, which can help remove surface stains and brighten your teeth without damaging your crowns.
What happens if you leave baking soda on your teeth for too long? ›
Baking soda with intensive and prolonged use can completely destroy the tooth enamel, as well as cause gum disease. With this product, you can actually get rid of plaque and pollution, but at a very high price.
How to make teeth whiter in 3 minutes with baking soda? ›
How to whiten teeth with baking soda and water
- Add one teaspoon of baking soda to a small bowl.
- Mix in a few drops of water.
- Stir until it becomes a paste.
- Apply mixture to toothbrush and brush it on your teeth.
- Leave the paste on your teeth for 2-3 minutes.
- Rinse out thoroughly with water and you're done.
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.
Stains on crowns are best removed by a professional dentist, not by off-the-shelf whitening treatments. Your dentist will most likely use either a diamond paste or airflow technology to remove any stubborn surface stains.
How do you whiten crowns and implants? ›
Over time your natural teeth can change colors, but the implant will remain the same. To maintain the smile you want, you should whiten your natural teeth before the dentist matches the implant color. Once the implant is created, you cannot change the level of whiteness.
How can I whiten my veneers and crowns at home? ›
Use a mild polishing toothpaste to get rid of the surface stains around the veneer's edges and restore the veneer's white appearance. This can also help restore the glaze's luster if it has dulled over time. Don't use toothpaste that contains bleach or abrasives like baking soda to whiten your teeth.
How to whiten a porcelain tooth? ›
3 Ways You Can Whiten Porcelain Veneers
- Brush with Non-Abrasive Polishing Toothpaste. ...
- Try a Tooth-Whitening System on the Backs of Your Teeth. ...
- Make an Appointment with Your Dentist.
Unfortunately, since zirconia is a non-porous membrane, your smile can only be as white as your prosthetics are. On the other hand, you can opt for regular teeth cleaning to remove any plaque buildup around the zirconia crown.
Will hydrogen peroxide damage porcelain crowns? ›
Short-term use of hydrogen peroxide will not ruin porcelain veneers but don't overdo it. However, it can irritate the gum tissue around the veneers and irritate. Still, if you wear porcelain veneers, caution is needed with the type of mouthwash you use.
