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? ›

Studies published in The Journal of the American Dental Association showed that baking soda is an effective stain remover and whitening ingredient for oral care. Grab your trusted orange box of ARM & HAMMER™ Baking Soda and take it to the bathroom for some teeth whitening magic.

Does baking soda destroy tooth enamel? ›

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.

What does baking soda do for tooth? ›

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 long will it take for baking soda to whiten my 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.

How long to leave baking soda on teeth to whiten? ›

How to whiten teeth with baking soda and water
  1. Add one teaspoon of baking soda to a small bowl.
  2. Mix in a few drops of water.
  3. Stir until it becomes a paste.
  4. Apply mixture to toothbrush and brush it on your teeth.
  5. Leave the paste on your teeth for 2-3 minutes.
  6. Rinse out thoroughly with water and you're done.
Dec 25, 2023

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.

Can baking soda reverse tooth decay? ›

We mentioned that it helps reduce the risk of cavities, but it doesn't stop there… Repairs damage caused by cavities: The American Dental Association states that by getting rid of plaque, soda helps stop cavities that are in the beginning stages of forming, and actually repairs the damage they cause.

Can I brush my teeth with hydrogen peroxide and baking soda? ›

Baking soda is abrasive and helps remove stains from the surface of your teeth which makes them appear whiter. However, baking soda does not help remove the old stains. Therefore mixing it with hydrogen peroxide helps whiten your teeth. The mixture forms a paste which stays on your teeth while brushing them.

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.

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.

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.

Do dentists recommend baking soda? ›

Yes, it does work. While baking soda can't protect your teeth from cavities as effectively as a fluoride toothpaste can, it's still considered a good cleaning agent for your teeth. Toothpastes containing baking soda have been shown to have antibacterial properties, which can help protect your teeth from decay.

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. The price that you give when whitening with baking soda includes your healthy tooth enamel.

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? ›

Veneers: If you see celebrities with perfectly white, straight, and uniform-looking teeth, they likely have veneers. Unlike teeth whitening, veneers are more permanent. There are various types of materials used, but porcelain and composite are the most common types.

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.

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