Brushing Teeth with Baking Soda

We've all heard about the versatility of baking soda and how it's used as a natural cleaner. Baking soda or sodium bicarbonate is popularly used to clean paint, neutralize odors from books, remove pesticides from vegetables, leavening in baking, etc. But, have you tried brushing your teeth with baking soda? Many people have tried brushing teeth with baking soda, to clean and whiten their teeth. Sounds bizarre, isn't it! But, its true! Read more on baking soda uses.

What is Baking Soda and How does it Work?
Baking soda or sodium bicarbonate is a white, crystalline, slightly alkaline powder that bears semblance to washing soda. This weakly alkaline baking soda, when dissolved in water, releases free radicals. When baking soda-water mixture is put into the mouth, the free radicals from the mixture interact with the stain molecules on the teeth enamel (outer layer of the teeth) and scrape off the yellow and brown stains on the teeth. Thus, baking soda breaks down the discoloration of the teeth, thereby brightening and whitening the teeth that have been built up from drinking tea, coffee, colas, tea, chewing tobacco and smoking. Read more on teeth bleaching.

Benefits of Brushing Teeth with Baking Soda
Besides scraping off the stains on the teeth conduced by consumption of beverages like coffee, tea, colas, baking soda also removes the plaque from the teeth. Plaque removal prevents the teeth from decaying and also freshens the breath. Moreover, the aspect about baking powder that makes it so very popular is its affordability. Baking soda is one of the cheapest commercial teeth whiteners present in the market today. One box of baking soda cost somewhere near a dollar, and this one box can be used for over a hundred brushings. Overall, brushing with baking soda is believed to enhance dental health. Read more on teeth whitening methods.

Brushing with Baking Soda Steps and Guidelines
One can use baking soda to brush the teeth in different ways. Let us check out the different ways in which the teeth can be whitened using baking soda.

Baking Soda: Powder Form
In this method, just wet the toothbrush properly in some cold water and dip it into the baking soda. Moistening the brush helps the baking soda stick to the bristles. Make sure all the bristles are sheathed by the powder (the toothbrush will appear white). Brush your teeth for 5 minutes and then rinse your mouth with clean water. Sometimes, brushing your teeth with baking soda conduces to a burning feeling or tingling sensation. However, this sensation is quite normal. For considerable whitening of teeth, one has to brush twice a day using baking soda. Read more on teeth whitening - tooth bleaching.

Baking Soda: Blend of Salt and Vinegar
Add a pinch of salt and few drops of white vinegar to the baking soda dissolved in some water. Dip the bristles in the mixture and brush away. After brushing with baking soda, brush with regular toothpaste. Read more on teeth whitening tips.

Is Brushing Teeth with Baking Soda Bad?
Now that we have read how baking soda is used to brighten the teeth, the question 'is brushing teeth with baking soda safe for us' will also emanate. Baking soda, though claimed by many to be the most popular and safest DIY natural teeth whitening agent, is not as safe as it looks. Swallowing this powder is safe, however, baking soda works by oxidizing the stains present on the teeth enamel. Baking soda is quite abrasive in nature and chronic use of it can cause damage to the tooth's surface. Teeth enamel will wear off, making the teeth very sensitive and vulnerable to cavities. Thus, chronic use of baking soda can cause permanent damage to the teeth. Read more on

• Disadvantages of Tooth Whitening
• Home Remedies for Teeth Whitening

Baking soda is an effective bleaching agent, however, brushing teeth with baking soda regularly is not a good idea. Try using some special toothpaste brands which contain milder abrasives as compared to baking soda. This way, you won't have to worry about your enamel being worn off. Moreover, those who have braces or wear permanent retainers should not use baking soda.