Looking for a Hollywood Smile? How to Whiten Your Teeth With Baking Soda

We all like to have healthy teeth. When our teeth are in good shape, we tend to feel better. Some people have a particular interest in removing stains and keeping their teeth nice and white. Some of those people maintain that using baking soda is an easy and effective whitening treatment. Let’s take a look at the evidence.

Does baking soda whiten teeth?

Yes, baking soda can help whiten your teeth.

Here’s what you should know. Most any toothpaste you use includes what’s called “abrasives,” which help remove stains and consequently lead to whiter teeth. These abrasives tend to comprise anywhere from 20-40% of the ingredients in a given toothpaste.

Studies show that baking soda is an effective abrasive, both for removing stains and whitening teeth. In fact, the available research suggests that toothpastes containing baking soda are more effective at treating surface stains than regular toothpastes. Researchers have found that the teeth-whitening capacity of baking soda toothpastes can be enhanced by upping the toothpastes’ baking soda content from 45% to 65%. That range, in general, has been shown to be highly effective. However, the whitening effect stops increasing once you get beyond 65%. Researchers have also found that brushing your teeth with baking soda toothpaste for 30 minutes can lead to measurable improvements in teeth whitening and stain removal. Moreover, one 6-week study found that baking soda toothpaste was significantly more effective than regular toothpaste at removing naturally acquired teeth stains.

Other studies have shown that baking soda toothpastes can reduce plaque and broadly support oral health.

Is it safe to use baking soda on your teeth?

Yes, in addition to being very effective at cleaning your teeth, baking soda is also extremely safe. It has lower abrasiveness than regular toothpastes, as well as being highly effective at stain removal. Furthermore, baking soda is compatible with fluoride. Of course, before starting a new dental routine, you should check with a medical professional about what will work best for you. You should also be careful to use only the recommended amount of baking soda, as using too much can end up having adverse effects. If you notice any issues, stop using baking soda and reevaluate with the help of your dentist.

How to use baking soda for teeth whitening

You can use baking soda for teeth whitening by finding a toothpaste that includes baking soda as a major ingredient; it’s best to try to find a toothpaste whose composition is 45 to 65% baking soda.

You can also try out some effective home remedies. Some people create their own toothpaste using water, baking soda, and essential oils. Some have also made their own mouthwash by adding baking soda and salt to a cup of warm water.

How quickly does baking soda whiten teeth?

Studies have shown that brushing your teeth with baking soda toothpaste and a powered toothbrush can start to remove stains within just 2 days, with most noticing changes by day 14. The key is to be consistent and to maintain your use of the baking soda toothpaste to maintain the whiteness of your teeth.

To sustain your progress over time, you should be sure to get regular cleanings from your dentist, and to brush your teeth at least twice a day.

Hydrogen peroxide and baking soda to whiten teeth

Of all the various options you have for toothpastes that contain baking soda, one of your better options might be to find a toothpaste that blends baking soda and hydrogen peroxide. Compared to regular silica and baking soda toothpastes, the baking soda and peroxide toothpastes showed significantly decreased yellow color of the teeth after 8 or more hours of treatment. These findings suggest that baking soda and hydrogen peroxide work extremely well together.

Final takeaways

To maintain the health of your teeth, it’s important to regularly brush your teeth and get routine cleanings from your dentist. If having whiter teeth is a goal of yours, then using a toothpaste with baking soda – or otherwise using an oral health product that includes baking soda – might be a good idea. Studies have consistently demonstrated the effectiveness of baking soda products as compared to non-baking soda products. In addition to the available teeth whitening products for sale, you can create home remedies that include baking soda. All in all, baking soda is a highly effective teeth whitener, and using it can help you achieve that pearly white look. As always, you should discuss your particular situation with a medical professional before changing your oral health regimen.