Brushing Teeth With Baking Soda Is It Safe?

Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) has several household applications, and dental use is one of them. The whitening characteristics and the ability to cut down plaque make baking soda a valuable part of the oral hygiene regime. Another use of baking soda in dental means is getting rid of bad breath. When food particles get stuck between your teeth and gums, they release acid that causes halitosis. Baking soda brings down acidity levels and helps eliminate bad breath from the mouth. Sodium bicarbonate can also be used to relieve mouth sores. The mouth acid can aggravate the ulcers, and baking soda helps ease the soreness by neutralizing the acidity.

Some individuals use a mixture of baking soda and water as a substitute for toothpaste to brush their teeth. But is brushing teeth with baking soda safe for your oral health? Below we will discuss the pros and cons of using sodium bicarbonate on your teeth as a replacement for toothpaste.

Baking Soda for Teeth Whitening

Pros: Baking soda is slightly abrasive and can easily eliminate teeth yellowing and staining. Its hardness level is much lower than other teeth whitening materials.
Cons: If you don’t use baking soda carefully, it can erode your enamel while damaging your teeth and gums. As compared to other teeth whitening agents, sodium bicarbonate is less abrasive. But still, if you start regularly brushing your teeth with baking soda, it can wear away your enamel which protects your pearly whites.

Baking Soda for Plaque Removal

Pros: Sodium bicarbonate hinders plaque buildup and neutralizes plaque acidity. Following your meals, sugars clogged in the teeth combine with mouth bacteria and form acid. If the acid levels go way below the minimum, it damages the tooth enamel and dentin, leading to cavities. Baking soda increases your mouth’s pH levels forming an alkaline environment that prevents the development of tooth decay.
Cons: Brushing teeth with baking soda alone isn’t enough to eliminate plaque and bacteria and prevent tooth decay. Though it can help disintegrate plaque, it can’t control plaque accumulation leading to cavities.

How to Safely Use Baking Soda for Oral Health?

If you wear braces or a permanent retainer with orthodontic glue, avoid using baking soda for brushing your teeth as it can wear out the glue. Moreover, it can diminish the shining on porcelain crowns.
The best way to enjoy the benefits of this compound is by using a toothpaste that contains sodium bicarbonate. Toothpaste only contains a slight amount that will not erode your enamel. Also, the fluoride present in toothpaste will make your teeth stronger and keep them safe from decay.