Baking soda is a commonly used household ingredient, but there is so much more to this white powder than just helping you bake. It is used as a cleaning material for teeth. Nowadays, many toothpaste manufacturers use sodium bicarbonate as an ingredient in their formulas. Baking soda truly is a hidden gem to whiten your teeth. But like most things, it has its disadvantages too. Continue reading to know the pros and cons of brushing your teeth with baking soda.
How Can I Use Baking Soda to Brush My Teeth?
Turning baking soda into a cleaning paste for your teeth is easy. All you need is a small bowl with equal parts baking soda and water. Mix them into a paste and put the paste on your toothbrush. Ta-da! You can start brushing your teeth with baking soda for around a minute. Spit out when you’re done. Don’t forget to wash the gritty mixture away by thoroughly rinsing your mouth with water.
Pros of Brushing Teeth with Baking Soda
Many people use baking soda as a part of their dental hygiene. Here are some benefits of using baking soda for your teeth:
1. Helps Reduce Plaque & Gingivitis
Your teeth accumulate plaque bacteria, which harms oral health. It lurks on your teeth and slowly gives rise to problems like cavities and gum disease. Brushing your teeth with baking soda disrupts the biofilm on your teeth. Hence, baking soda reduces the plaque bacteria that damage your teeth and gums.
2. Has Whitening Properties
Baking soda can scrub off the stains on your teeth and give you a pearly smile. It is a mild abrasive with whitening properties that can enhance your discolored teeth.
3. Might Be Able to Reduce Bacteria
Using a baking soda and water solution to rinse your mouth might help increase the pH levels, making it less acidic. Since some bacteria require more acidic conditions to thrive, using baking soda can lessen their chances of multiplying and cause cavities.
4. Is Easy on The Wallet
Using baking soda for your teeth does not cost much. Moreover, it is easily available in most places.
Cons of Brushing Teeth with Baking Soda
Baking soda may seem like a miraculous ingredient for your teeth, but it has its disadvantages as well. Here is why you might reconsider using it:
1. Does Not Feel Good in the Mouth
Many people are wary of using baking soda because they don’t like how it feels in their mouth, nor do they like how it tastes. For a better texture, you can always get a toothpaste that uses sodium carbonate as an ingredient. In addition, a couple of drops of peppermint oil might help improve its taste.
2. Takes Time to Reveal the Whiteness
While baking soda is safe for your enamel and dentin, it is not as effective in whitening your teeth as other products. This is because it is a mild abrasive and will take some time to enhance your smile, that too, not as much as you would hope. Therefore, you might want to reconsider if brushing your teeth with baking soda doesn’t work for you.
3. One Less Source of Fluoride
Fluoride is an essential mineral for our teeth; you need it to prevent cavities. However, using baking soda as the only toothpaste removes the topical fluoride source that your teeth need.
What Should I Do?
Brushing your teeth with baking soda is your decision entirely. It has benefits, but you would need to wait some days to see any improvement in your smile. Furthermore, putting up with the gritty taste is not for everyone. If you can endure the texture, taste, and time, you should give it a try. Never try anything new for your teeth before talking to your dentist. You can also speak to our Dynamic Dental Solutions team; just schedule an appointment at (281) 837-9090.