Baking soda, also called a sodium bicarbonate, is composed of a chemical compound and it works as a great abrasive. We all know that baking soda is a household product that has many uses. Baking soda is used for baking, cleaning and odor removal.
Also, baking soda is a common ingredient in many toothpastes and other teeth-whitening products. But, is baking soda really good for your teeth? Does baking soda whiten teeth or it is just a myth? Many people concern about the safety of baking soda when they use it for brushing their teeth.
In this article we will tell you how to whiten teeth with baking soda and how to prevent damage to your enamel. Also, we will show you all the benefits that baking soda has for your teeth and your overall dental health. We hope this article will be useful for you, so let’s start.
Benefits of Baking Soda for Your Teeth
The answer to the question “Is Baking Soda Bad For Your Teeth?” is no. You can safely use it and the results will be amazing.
Just continue reading and you will find out more about the benefits of baking soda for your teeth.
Baking Soda Whitens Your Teeth. As we have already said, baking soda is a great mild abrasive and it is really effective in removing surface stains from your teeth. Teeth usually get stained by foods, alcohol or nicotine use. If you use baking soda, your teeth will become much whiter. You can use a baking soda toothpaste or you can simply dip a wet toothbrush in baking soda and then brush your teeth. But, if you want to remove some deeper and older stains from your teeth, then baking soda will not be so effective. In this case it will be necessary to visit your dentist or to use a special teeth-whitening product.
Baking Soda Prevents Gum Disease. It is proved that baking soda can also prevent gum disease, also known as gingivitis. The most common symptoms of gingivitis are bleeding, swelling and soreness of gums, which may lead to the infection and bad breath. If you brush your teeth with baking soda, you will prevent the accumulation of plaque on your teeth. This way you will also prevent gum diseases.
Baking Soda Fights Bad Breath. Bad breath is usually caused by residual acid forming foods and it may be really embarrassing. In order to prevent bad breath and to balance the acidity level in your mouth, you should brush your teeth with baking soda. It is also recommended to rinse your mouth with baking soda solution. You just need to dissolve half teaspoon of baking soda in a glass of water and to use it as a mouth rinse.
Baking Soda Soothes Mouth Ulcers. We all know that ulcers can be very painful and irritating. It is not easy to heal mouth ulcers because we can’t stop eating and drinking. This way we irritate ulcers and the healing process lasts too long. But, if you use baking soda, ulcers in your mouth will disappear soon. Baking soda can easily accelerate healing process and soothe the mouth ulcers. In this case it is best to mix baking soda with water and to use it as a mouth rinse.
How To Brush Your Teeth With Baking Soda?
Use Baking Soda Powder. If you want to brush your teeth with baking soda, your toothbrush needs to be wet. Dip it into the baking soda powder and brush your teeth for 2 minutes and then rinse your mouth. You should never brush your teeth with baking soda for more than 2 minutes. It is necessary that baking soda mixes with saliva and becomes creamy, in order to prevent the irritation of gums. It is normal to experience a little burning or tingling in your mouth, but if it persists, it is recommended to stop brushing teeth with baking soda immediately.
Mix Baking Soda With Other Ingredients. Another way to brush your teeth with baking soda is to mix it with something else. This way you will improve the safety of baking soda and you will not have to worry. You can mix baking soda with strawberry, hydrogen peroxide or vinegar and the effects will be fantastic. How to mix baking soda with these ingredients? Well, you should wet your toothbrush with the mixture of white vinegar and salt first. After that you can dip your toothbrush into baking soda.
As we have already said, strawberries are also good for teeth whitening. You just need to mix pulp of 1 ripe strawberry with baking soda and to brush your teeth for 2 minutes. You can also mix sea salt with baking soda and brush your teeth with this mixture. It is known that sea salt has anti-bacterial properties and it may neutralize acidity in your mouth. You can simply use salt water as a mouth rinse. One more way is to brush your teeth with a combination of lemon and baking soda. You just need to take a small cup and mix half a teaspoon of baking soda with a few drops of lemon. You can simply use a toothbrush and dip it into the mixture of baking soda and lemon but you can also apply this paste with your fingers.
How Often You Should Use Baking Soda To Brush Your Teeth?
All of the methods for whitening your teeth with baking soda should be used only twice a week, in order to prevent any teeth damage. You can also brush your teeth with baking soda every day, but you need to make a pause after a week or two.
Have in mind that the abrasive properties of baking soda may damage the enamel of your teeth if used too often.
After a few day of using baking soda, you will notice a slight difference in the whiteness of your teeth. After a couple of weeks you will notice great effects and your teeth will be much whiter.
Potential Side Effects
Although baking soda is not bad for your teeth, there are some potential risks. If you decide to use baking soda to whiten your teeth, you need to be careful.
As we have already said, there may be possible side effects if you use baking soda in the long run. It is possible that baking soda cause damage to the enamel that coats your teeth.
Also, if baking soda is not used properly, it will cause damage to your gums and it will make your teeth sensitive. You should have in mind that baking soda doesn’t contain fluoride which is necessary to prevent dental cavities and to strengthen your teeth. Because of that, you will need to use also your regular toothpaste. But, people with braces and permanent retainers should not use baking soda because it may soften dental glue.
Summary
As you have seen in this article, baking soda is very effective in whitening your teeth. It can be very useful if it is used properly. You can use baking soda in a powdered form or mixed with some other ingredients. But, we have already said that baking soda doesn’t contain fluoride so it should not substitute your regular toothpaste. After brushing your teeth with baking soda, it is recommended to brush them with a regular toothpaste.
Also, there are many toothpastes that contain baking soda. It is recommended to use baking soda for brushing your teeth only twice a week. This way you will whiten your teeth and keep them healthy. If you use baking soda in the long run, it could have some potential side effects. As long as you use baking soda properly, your teeth will be white and healthy and you will have a beautiful smile.
