As we get older, our teeth become yellower, and many people can start to feel self-conscious about it. Thankfully there are ways to whiten our teeth but is baking soda one of them and if so, how can you whiten teeth with baking soda?
Here we’re going to look at exactly how it can be done. Along with looking at how to whiten with baking soda, we’ll also look at whether or not it’s a good idea and the alternatives to try. Let’s get started!
How To Whiten Teeth with Baking Soda
The process of how to whiten teeth with baking soda is a simple one as you just need to use it as toothpaste. However, instead of directly applying the baking soda to your teeth which would be quite difficult, you’ll want to mix it with water.
The best way to do this is to simply add equal parts of water and baking soda. All you’ll need to around a tablespoon of each and add them to a bowl. This will then make it into a paste which you can then brush your teeth with.
To further the brightening properties, you can add hydrogen peroxide into the mix to help to bleach your teeth. Hydrogen peroxide is an ingredient that is commonly used in all professional whitening treatments.
Does Whitening with Baking Soda Work?
Yes, baking soda will whiten your teeth to some degree but it can have some significant drawbacks. Baking soda is an excellent cleaner and it can do a good job at lifting away the stains that are on your teeth from what you eat and drink.
However, a part of that cleaning process will be due to how abrasive baking soda is. Brushing it on your teeth can wear away at the enamel which can have the detrimental effect of showing the yellow layer that is under our enamel, called dentin.
There are two ways in which our teeth become yellow and we’ve mentioned them both there. The first is yellow staining which can be caused by the likes of smoking, coffee, and wine. The second is the wearing away of the enamel.
While baking soda does a decent job at removing stains, it can’t restore whiteness due to lost enamel. Therefore if your teeth are partly yellow due to the gradual wearing away of the enamel, then baking soda won’t make them whiter.
So while baking soda can work to a certain extent, it’s clear to see why many wouldn’t recommend it. Read on as we’ll take a closer look at why using baking soda may not be a great idea.
Why You Shouldn’t Use Baking Soda to Whiten Teeth
Before you grab your baking soda and work it into a paste, here is why you should have second thoughts about using it:
- Unappealing Taste and Texture – Not many people are going to like either the taste or texture of baking soda. The texture is quite grainy and nowhere near as smooth as traditional toothpaste. Due to this, many people are immediately put off using baking soda.
And of course, modern toothpaste has been made so that it tastes quite nice, and can even come in a variety of flavors. While you can add the likes of essential oils to baking soda, it’s never going to be quite as nice as store-bought toothpaste.
- Only Removes Stains – Baking soda will only remove the surface stains of your teeth and will do nothing to reverse the gradual yellowing that happens over time. If you wanted to have white teeth then you’ll need more than just baking soda. In this respect, baking soda is only going to have the same effect as high-quality toothpaste.
- No Fluoride – Regular toothpaste contains fluoride. This is a mineral that coats your teeth and helps to protect the enamel throughout the day. If you’re solely using baking soda to brush your teeth then you won’t be getting this added protection.
- Wears Away Enamel – You need to protect the enamel the best you can. When made up into a gritty paste, baking soda can be abrasive on your teeth and actually wear away at the enamel instead of protecting it.
Part of the reason baking soda works as a short-term whitener is due to this abrasive quality wearing away at stains. However, that abrasive quality will do a lot more harm than good as it reduces your level of enamel over time.
- Takes Time and Effort – Another downside of using baking soda is that it takes time and effort to make up the paste, as you have to mix it into a bowl. If it worked perfectly as a whitener then it would be worth the effort but there are far better and more effective methods that are much easier to do.
Best Methods to Whiten Teeth
If using baking soda isn’t the best method to whiten your teeth, then what is? Here we’ll look through all the solutions that have been proven to work.
1. Laser Whitening
Laser whitening is going to be by far the quickest and most effective treatment that you can choose. With this solution, you’ll see a qualified professional who will apply hydrogen peroxide to your teeth and then activate it with a laser so that it quickly bleaches your teeth.
The biggest problem with laser whitening for many is how expensive it is, with many places charging over $1,000 for their services. However, if it’s in your budget and you want perfectly white teeth, then laser whitening is your best bet.
2. Gel Trays
Gel trays are essentially the same solution as laser whitening but without the use of a laser. A dentist will place a tray into your mouth that is customized to your teeth and on it, there will be a gel solution that will bleach your teeth.
These trays can usually be taken home with you, or applied in-office. In-office treatments usually have a higher concentration of hydrogen peroxide. While not as quick as laser whitening, this solution is highly effective and usually costs at least half of what you’d spend on laser whitening.
3. Whitening Strips and Pens
Whitening strips and pens both use, as you may have guessed, hydrogen peroxide. However, because these are at-home treatments that anyone can buy, their concentration of hydrogen peroxide is usually much lower than with professional treatments.
Due to that fact, they aren’t going to be as effective or get to work as quickly. While that is true, they are still going to work better than many other solutions for whitening your teeth, including baking soda.
4. Whitening Toothpaste
The best alternative in terms of a similar replacement to baking soda is whitening toothpaste. There are even whitening toothpastes that contain baking soda, however, it won’t be as abrasive and it will have a much nicer taste and texture.
There are also whitening toothpastes available that contain hydrogen peroxide at low levels. This type of toothpaste is going to be the best solution for anyone on a budget who still wants a safe and effective whitening solution.
What About Other Home Remedies?
Along with baking soda, there are a wide variety of home remedies that are meant to work. These include:
- Activated Charcoal – Which you brush onto your teeth in a similar way to the baking soda solution.
- Apple Cider Vinegar – You are meant to combine this with water and use it as a mouthwash to get rid of plaque.
- Coconut Oil Pulling – As with the above, you use coconut oil as a mouthwash, and it is meant to improve your oral hygiene.
- Food – There are a wide variety of foods that are meant to whiten your mouth as they can either scrape away plaque or dissolve it away with enzymes.
What all these solutions have in common is that they are not very good and can even make your teeth worse, as they can wear away enamel. There is no home remedy that is going to be better than just using good toothpaste.
What Is the Best Whitening Solution for You?
The best solution for you is going to depend on your budget. It’s likely that you are considering using baking soda as you don’t have the budget to pay for professional treatment. If that’s true, then in-office treatments such as laser whitening and gel trays aren’t going to be an option.
In this case, the best option would be to combine a high-quality whitening toothpaste with either whitening strips or pens. Here you’ll only be paying around $30 and will be able to see gradual results in a matter of weeks.
Conclusion
Whitening your teeth with baking soda is easy. All you need to do is make it into a paste with equal parts water and brush it onto your teeth. However, whether you should use this method is another matter as baking soda is abrasive and won’t reverse your teeth’s natural yellowing process.
If you can’t afford professional treatments, then whitening strips and whitening toothpaste is going to be a better idea than using baking soda. They won’t wear away your enamel and are budget-friendly options.
