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? ›

Less dramatic whitening

While the American Dental Association (ADA) considers baking soda safe for your enamel and dentin, some researchers have given it a low rating as a teeth whitener because it may not remove stains as effectively as some other products.

What whitens teeth better baking soda or peroxide? ›

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 make teeth whiter in 3 minutes with baking soda? ›

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 bad to brush teeth with baking soda? ›

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 really works to whiten teeth? ›

For optimal whitening, a person can try brushing with a mix of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide for 1–2 minutes twice a day for a week. They should only do this occasionally. Hydrogen peroxide may increase tooth sensitivity, so it is not suitable for long-term use or for people who already have sensitive teeth.

How many times should I use baking soda to whiten my teeth? ›

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.

Can yellow teeth become white again? ›

What Can Be Done to Whiten Yellow Teeth? If you're looking for a radical change in the coloring of your teeth, you need professional-grade whitening to get the job done. Your cosmetic dentist can provide treatment that penetrates deep into the enamel and removes years of stains with a powerful bleaching agent.

Does Vicks VapoRub whiten teeth? ›

KTVB.COM on X: "Vicks VapoRub is toxic to consume and should not be used for teeth whitening https://t.co/1qBp0FuIFS" / X.

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.

How long does it take for baking soda to work on 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 do people get their teeth so white? ›

The most common approach dentists use for brightening teeth is professional teeth whitening. It entails bleaching teeth enamel to remove surface and intrinsic stains.

How to make homemade teeth whitening? ›

Combine 2 teaspoons (10 ml) of hydrogen peroxide with 1 teaspoon (6 grams) of baking soda and gently brush your teeth with the mixture. Limit the use of this homemade paste to a few times per week, as overuse can erode your tooth enamel.

What are the side effects of rinsing your mouth with baking soda? ›

Baking soda may be allergic to some people, especially women, as a result, it may cause rashes and sores on the palate, gums, tongue, and lips. Burning, itching or pain may occur due to mucosal irritation. Also, bleeding gums are not impossible.

What are the disadvantages of baking soda toothpaste? ›

While a little baking soda can wear away surface stains, the abrasive nature of the compound eventually wears away the enamel on your teeth, which makes them appear yellow and discolored. The abrasive texture can also irritate the gums. The alkaline chemical makeup can disrupt the delicate pH balance in your mouth.

Is baking soda bad for your gums? ›

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? ›

Yellow teeth can regain whiteness through various methods, including good oral hygiene, professional dental cleanings, and teeth-whitening treatments. Stains from coffee, tea, or tobacco can be removed with adequate oral care, while professional procedures like bleaching or laser treatments offer quicker results.

Does baking soda whiten false teeth? ›

Baking soda has whitening properties that are effective on your natural teeth and dental prosthetics like dentures. Baking soda is also effective at removing odors from your device. To clean with baking soda, simply dab a wet toothbrush in baking soda and use the paste to gently clean the prosthetic.

How to get whiter teeth naturally? ›

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.

How do celebrities get their teeth so white? ›

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.

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