Baking Soda Teeth Whitening: How to Whiten Your Teeth at Home

baking soda for teeth whitening
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Baking soda, also known as sodium bicarbonate, is a chemical compound that’s white and crystallized. It often appears in fine powder form. It is composed of bicarbonate and sodium ions. These properties work to remove plaque buildup from your teeth and give you a bright, healthy smile.

Baking soda is salty and alkaline in taste. Baking soda’s alkalinity helps to eliminate tooth discoloration from food and drink, smoking, and other factors. It also removes plaque from the tooth’s surface due to its mild abrasiveness.

Warning! You can find a lot of home remedies and do-it yourself (DIY), teeth whitening solutions on the internet. There are also many teeth-whitening product reviews. Some of them published by amateur bloggers that share DIY teeth whitening tips. Also, remember that DIY solutions can be dangerous. You may have to measure the ingredients yourself, and it can be difficult to get the right results.

Baking soda is a good way to whiten your teeth, but it won’t be enough to prevent cavities, gum disease and other dental problems. Baking soda and toothpaste should not be considered as substitutes for your regular dental care. They should be used as an addition to it.

A professional whitening treatment is always the best way to make your teeth shine. However, not everyone can afford in-office treatment. Baking soda is the best low-budget solution for whitening your teeth.

Baking Soda For Teeth Whitening: Does it Really Work?

The answer is: Yes, baking soda can help whiten your teeth! Many people are skeptical about whether baking soda can be used to whiten teeth. There is a lot of scientific research that will show you that baking soda can be used to create a pearly white smile. Here are six ways baking soda can be used to whiten your teeth.

#1 Baking soda and water

Mixing baking soda with water is the simplest method. To make a paste, use a small bowl or cup to mix some water and half a teaspoon baking soda. Use a toothbrush to apply the paste to your teeth. Let it sit for about two minutes, then rinse with water.

#2 Baking soda and Toothpaste

Baking soda can be added to toothpaste. You can also buy ready-made toothpaste with baking soda as an ingredient.

#3 Baking soda and hydrogen peroxide

To whiten your teeth, you can combine baking soda and hydrogen peroxide. Combine a teaspoon of baking soda with a quarter teaspoon of hydrogen peroxide to make a toothpaste-like mixture. The mixture can be used to brush your teeth. Allow the mixture to sit for at least a minute before you rinse it off with water. For safety, rinse it well with a three percent solution hydrogen peroxide.

#4 Baking soda, Lime or Lemon Juice

Citric acid, which is a bleaching agent, can be found in lemon and lime. Mix half a teaspoon of baking soda with half a teaspoon of lime juice or lemon. Mix the mixture with half a teaspoon of baking soda and half a teaspoon of lime or lemon. Use the toothbrush to brush your teeth. Allow the mixture to sit for at least one minute before you wash it off. Limit the amount of citric acid in the mixture. This acid is found in lemons and limes, which can cause tooth decay.

#5 Baking soda, Apple Cider Vinegar

A great way to whiten your teeth is to rinse with 3 parts water and 1 part apple cider vinegar. Mix it with toothpaste and brush your teeth as usual.

#6 Coconut Oil and Baking Soda Toothpaste

A coconut oil paste can be used on your teeth to reduce the cost of expensive whitening procedures and to avoid any harmful chemicals. Coconut oil is rich in lauric acid which is a saturated fat acid that aids in weight loss and lowers cholesterol. Coconut oil is good for healing wounds and addressing inflammation. It also helps to keep the prostate healthy.

Mixing baking soda with peppermint essential oils will create a paste that will whiten teeth and prevent decay. Because of its fatty acid content, coconut oil is great for whitening teeth. For 20 minutes, you can make coconut oil paste by swishing it around. One cup coconut oil can be heated until it is liquid-like. Add 5-10 drops spearmint essential oils and two teaspoons baking soda.

How Long Does It Take for Baking Soda to Whiten Teeth?

Baking soda has been a popular home remedy for teeth whitening for years. But how long does it take for baking soda to actually whiten teeth? The answer depends on a number of factors, including how often you use it, the amount of baking soda used, and the severity of your teeth stains.

For mild to moderate teeth stains, using baking soda as a teeth whitener can start to show results after just a few uses. However, for more severe teeth discoloration, it may take several weeks or even months of consistent use to see noticeable results.

It’s important to note that while baking soda can help whiten teeth, it should not be used as a substitute for regular dental care. Maintaining good oral hygiene habits such as brushing twice a day, flossing daily, and regular dental cleanings are essential for keeping your teeth healthy and preventing further staining.

To use baking soda for teeth whitening, you can create a paste by mixing baking soda with a small amount of water or hydrogen peroxide. Gently brush the paste onto your teeth for 2-3 minutes, then rinse thoroughly with water. Be careful not to overuse baking soda, as it can be abrasive and damage tooth enamel if used too frequently or in excessive amounts.

In summary, the time it takes for baking soda to whiten teeth can vary depending on the severity of stains and how consistently you use it. While it can be effective in improving the appearance of teeth, it’s important to use baking soda safely and not rely on it as a substitute for regular dental care.

How Long And How Often Should You Clean Your Teeth With Baking Soda?

You should not use the baking soda paste to brush your teeth for more than 2 minutes. Due to baking soda’s properties and as a mild abrasive, prolonged exposure to it can cause enamel erosion. So make sure to apply the right tactics when brushing using baking soda.

Rinse your mouth with water or mouthwash afterwards, and make sure to clean your toothbrush well.

To give your enamel and teeth room to breathe, you can continue cleaning your teeth with baking soda every other day for one to two weeks.

Is Brushing Your Teeth with Baking Soda Safe?

Everything in excess can be harmful. When used more than needed, baking soda can cause enamel damage due to its abrasive nature. Also, baking soda should not be treated as a replacement for toothpaste as it does not contain fluoride, which is scientifically proven to fight cavities.

Baking soda can be used as a natural teeth whitener. You will need to use a small amount of the product. This should cover the bristles of your toothbrush. For about a minute, gently brush your teeth with baking soda. Make sure it is being applied to all corners, crevices and surfaces. Then, rinse.

Too much or too little baking soda can cause tooth enamel to erode. After rinsing off the baking soda, brush your teeth as normal with toothpaste.

If you have braces, or any other non-removable dental correction device, baking soda should not be used.

Make an appointment with your dentist if you experience tooth sensitivity, or any other symptoms that may be caused by baking soda. Your dentist will be most helpful if you are open with them about your experience with baking soda.

Associated Risks of Using Baking Soda as Teeth Whitener

Baking soda can be dangerous when used to brush your teeth. Baking soda can cause enamel to become weaker, making it more sensitive to heat and cold. It can also make brushing your teeth uncomfortable. Cavities can also be more likely if the enamel is damaged.

Baking soda can cause brace glue to become weaker or more flexible, permanent dental attachments and fittings to be loosened or removed. Baking soda can be misused, as there is no protocol that will guarantee safe use.

Is it worth the risk?

Baking soda will not work for a wide range of stains. This may not be enough to remove any deep or serious stains or it may not make the teeth as white as you would imagine. That is why, as dentists ourselves here at Brightest Smiles, we recommend getting professional teeth whitening services and products. They are still the best way to whiten your teeth.

Thus, if you’re looking for actual teeth whitening, you should consider a professional teeth whitening dentist near you. Call us today to schedule your appointment at the nearest dental office in your area.

Other Oral Health Benefits Of Using Baking Soda

Aside from teeth whitening, baking soda can also help in maintaining good oral health. It can be a cheaper temporary remedy for dental issues, including bad breath, mouth sores and ulcers, and gum disease.

#1 Baking Soda for Bad Breath

Baking soda can balance the acid in your mouth and prevent bad breath. Mix a teaspoon of baking soda with a glass of water. This mixture can be used as an oral rinse.

#2 Baking Soda for Mouth Sores and Ulcers

Mix one to two teaspoons baking soda with a glass of water. This will help treat mouth ulcers and sores as this will act as an oral rinse and aid in healing.

#3 Baking Soda for Gum Disease

Baking soda can prevent plaque buildup and help to avoid gum disease. Use a little baking soda to your toothpaste and brush.

Dr. Leslie Smith, DDS
Dr. Leslie Smith, DDS

Dr. Leslie Smith, DDS graduated from The University of Texas School of Dentistry at Houston in 2015. Her philosophy is simple. "Care for your patient and do dentistry on them the same way you would like it done." Dr. Smith loves writing so much that she is now the content editor of Brightest Smiles Dentist Finder. Read more about Dr. Smith

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  • Effect of baking soda in dentifrices on plaque removal: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29056188/
  • American Dental Association – Oral Health Topics: https://www.ada.org/resources/research/science-and-research-institute/oral-health-topics
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