Is baking soda bad for teeth? Baking soda is a mild abrasive that can be used to clean the teeth by aiding the gradual removal of surface stains whilst scrubbing away plaque, but is it actually safe?
What are the long term effects?
Whilst brushing with baking soda can provide beneficial aspects in terms of the removal of surface stains and yellowing, with improper, prolonged use it can actually be abrasive enough to damage or wear away surface enamel.
As well as this, if you choose to switch out your toothpaste for baking soda, you risk developing cavities down the line, as although you are cleaning and whitening the teeth, there is no protection against plaque and decay due to the lack of fluoride.
An eye for DIY
Whilst we’re all on the lookout for affordable DIY methods to help maintain good oral health in between dentist visits, it is important to know the facts.
Using baking soda as an at-home DIY whitening method every now and again will help to lighten stains from things like coffee and red wine, but it should not be used regularly or with a vigorous hand. Because baking soda is abrasive, occasional use should be carried out gently followed by a fluoride toothpaste or mouthwash.
Old wives tale VS science
Some other popular DIY methods include gargling with apple cider vinegar to whiten, however, this can also cause erosion due to high acidity levels. Although apple cider vinegar can have a bleaching effect on stains whilst distributing potassium, magnesium and probiotics, teeth whitening products containing hydrogen peroxide are actually safer for the surface of the tooth than highly acidic vinegar products.
Another at-home dental DIY that has risen in popularity is oil pulling, usually with coconut oil. Oil pulling is said to remove bacteria, but in comparison to the unpleasant and lengthy process, the benefits are minor. Although it doesn’t have any well known negative side effects, the main problem is that people substitute 15-20 minutes of rinsing with oil for cleaning the teeth with fluoride products – no matter what DIY remedies you experiment with, your usual twice-daily brushing and flossing routine should be a priority!
No more guessing games
When it comes to our health, we shouldn’t be testing out potentially harmful DIY remedies off the internet and keeping our fingers crossed for professional results. If you do want to add in the benefits of using baking soda to whiten teeth, opt for professional-grade products such as Arm & Hammer’s range of baking soda toothpaste, which makes sure to mix a safe amount of baking soda with all the necessary ingredients of your daily fluoride toothpaste.
Here at Smiletronix, we take the guesswork out of at-home dental care by providing informative, dentist-approved oral scans as well as hygiene top tips, via our app. To scan and assess your teeth, and get accurate results from the comfort of your own home, follow the link below:
https://smiletronix.com/product
