We asked experts what you need to know about teeth whiteners and how to whiten teeth with baking soda — and gathered top-rated options based on their guidance.
Using baking soda or sodium bicarbonate to remove tooth stains is very common. However, you might be asking yourself how secure this house item is for your teeth. Baking soda is a safe method of removing surface-level discolorations. However, like most items, you should use it with care to stay clear of destructive tooth enamel. One of the most common methods to use baking soda in your whitening routine is mixing it with water into a paste and brushing for two minutes.
Teeth bleaching offers a simple, convenient method to brighten your smile without pricey dental procedures or chemicals that are possibly harmful to your teeth and mouth. This article explains the most effective means to whiten your teeth and just how to choose the right one for you. By the end, you should be able to confidently make an informed choice about the method that’s best for your needs and budget. The good news is that you can select from several options, each with benefits and disadvantages.
Recognize what causes tooth discoloration
Multiple factors cause teeth to become dull and lose their bright, white sparkle.
Like their skin, teeth include melanin– the same pigment that gives them their natural shade. However, when we consume food or drinks high in acids, it causes a chemical reaction that leads to tooth discoloration.
Certain foods can discolor your enamel, which is the outermost layer of your teeth. Additionally, plaque buildup on your teeth can cause them to look yellow.
Can usually treat this staining with regular cleaning and whitening remedies.
However, teeth often look yellow because the hard enamel has eroded, revealing the dentin below. Dentin is a naturally yellow, bony tissue that lies underneath the enamel.
Does baking soda really help whiten teeth ?
Baking soda is an abrasive that is mild and can help eliminate staining adhered to the surface of teeth using abrasive techniques and thus reduce their development. Higher levels of baking soda may be effective in removing specific types of stains and improving the color of your teeth.
Baking Soda for Plaque Removal
Pro: Baking soda can effectively break down plaque and reduce plaque acidity. When you consume food and drink, sugars within your teeth interact with the bacteria in your mouth to create acid. When the acid levels fall below a critical pH (the level of acidity in the solution), it can eat away at dentin and enamel, causing tooth decay. Bicarbonate sodium raises your mouth’s pH, creating an alkaline atmosphere that prevents the development of cavities.
Con: If you brush your teeth using baking soda, however, it’s not enough to eliminate bacteria, clear plaque, and avoid cavities. Although sodium bicarbonate can remove plaque, over time, it won’t be able to stop the buildup of plaque and eventually tooth decay. In addition, sodium bicarbonate does not have the mineral fluoride that helps strengthen your teeth’ enamel and protect your gums and teeth from tooth decay.
How to whiten teeth with baking soda safely?
Should correctly use Baking soda to protect enamel. Baking soda should not be used frequently as it can cause enamel damage. You should only use it once weekly for no more than two minutes.
Baking soda should not replace toothpaste because it contains no fluoride. Fluoride helps protect teeth from decay and strengthens enamel. Baking soda and fluoride toothpaste are good options to maintain healthy teeth. It would be best if you did not scrub hard your teeth with soda to protect the enamel and gums. If you are suffering from acute or pre-existing gum conditions, you should consult your dentist before using baking soda to brush your teeth.
The Disadvantages And Risks Of whiten teeth with baking soda
There are a few risks when using baking soda for brushing your teeth. It may damage the enamel, which can cause teeth to be much more sensitive than they need to be in too cold or hot temperatures. It could cause brushing your teeth severe pain. The enamel’s damage can cause teeth to be more likely to develop cavities.
Baking soda could weaken the glue or adhesive of braces and permanent dental fittings or fixtures. Hence it shouldn’t be used by those with such fittings. Baking soda can also be misused since there is no prescribed procedure to ensure its safe use to whiten teeth. It may also cause damage to the gum and might not appeal to some due to its taste.
The Benefits of whiten teeth with baking soda
The supplement for the Journal of the American Dental Association (JADA) examined the research findings on baking soda’s impact on oral health. The study discovered that:
- It’s safe and low-abrasive for use every day.
- Effectively fights bacteria.
- Reduces your plaque’s pH.
- Helps to prevent gingivitis.
- Effectively whitens and removes stains.
- Helps in preventing cavities.
Whiten your teeth can be done by following some things which I also make use of
1 – Brushing with Baking Soda or Sodium bicarbonate – baking soda has natural bleaching properties, so it’s a trendy ingredient in commercial toothpaste.
It aided in scrubbing away the surface stain on teeth and creating an alkaline environment in the mouth which prevents bacteria from growing.
To use It – 1 teaspoon of baking soda and two teaspoons of water and brush your teeth with this paste. You can do this a couple of times for a week.
2 – Using Hydrogen Peroxide and Baking Soda – Hydrogen peroxide is a natural bleaching agent that kills bacteria in your mouth. And yes, one of the ingredients in commercial paste is hydrogen peroxide.
- One way to use hydrogen peroxide is mouthwash before you brush your teeth. Note – not to take more than 2/3% to avoid adverse effects.
- Can utilize it by combining it with baking soda and forming your natural toothpaste.
Take one teaspoon of baking soda and two teaspoons of hydrogen peroxide and gently brush your teeth by utilizing this paste.
3 – Toothpaste + Baking Soda – This is the easiest way. Sprinkle a little baking soda on your toothpaste and brush your teeth as you usually do.
4 – Baking Soda and Lemon Juice – Lemon juice is an additional item in your home! Lemon juice has a citric acid which is a natural bleaching representative. Mix this with the baking soda, and you have a basic yet efficient whitening paste.
To use It: Mix one tablespoon of lemon juice with one tablespoon of baking soda to make a paste, and Put the paste on your toothbrush and gently massage your teeth in a round motion for 2 mins Rinse your mouth well. Do this every 2 to 3 months for best outcomes.
5 – Coconut Oil and Baking Soda – One more house product flaunted for its health and wellness benefits, coconut oil includes lauric acid– an agent believed to break down germs in your mouth. Coconut oil is usually used for a natural whitening method called oil pulling but can also combine with baking soda for brushing.
To use It: Mix one tablespoon of baking soda with one tablespoon of coconut oil to make a paste (it might aid in melting the oil in the microwave beforehand), and Utilize this paste to brush your teeth for about 2 minutes; after that Rinse your mouth well with warm water. Do this 2 to 3 times per week for a few months.
Baking soda is somewhat effective in stain prevention but not so much in enhancing tooth whiteness.
Baking soda is mildly abrasive and will undoubtedly aid remove stains adherent to the outside of teeth via abrasive means, minimizing their formation. In higher concentrations of baking soda, it can be effective at particular sorts of stains and improve tooth yellowness.
In addition, dissolved baking soda in the saliva is thought to interrupt plaque thickness by decreasing microbial co-adhesion based on studies showing higher plaque reduction in baking soda containing toothpaste. This impact can be valuable in minimizing stain formation.
Many whitening kinds of toothpaste depend on much heavier abrasives than baking soda to remove stains. Nearly all bleaching toothpaste includes various chelating agents (pyrophosphates, etc.) to interrupt the enamel pellicle and impact stain (and tartar) formation.
How fast does whiten teeth with baking soda?
There are two categories of bleaching teeth, depending on the stain. Baking soda only aids a tiny little bit for the first, but not the second, sort of stain.
External, or surface-area stain, is what it seems like and refers to a stain that is not part of your inherent tooth color. Common examples include plaque and calculus (which start as yellow but can pick up other colors along the way), tobacco, tea, and coffee. You can attempt to remove these before they become well attached. For this, we use mild abrasives like baking soda. Once well connected, they should be scaled off by your hygienist.
Intrinsic stain refers to your natural tooth color. That which you are born with. Baking soda and more powerful abrasives like pumice do absolutely nothing. The only means to lighten the color you were born with is utilizing bleaching/tooth bleaching products. This can be carried out in the dental workplace, or I’d suggest Crest White Strips begin with.
