Does Baking Soda Whiten Teeth? Learn More Here

By Debbie Ruffo


A lot of people ask, "Does baking soda whiten teeth?" The only way to answer that is to determine what it is that they mean when they say white teeth. The natural color of teeth is far from white, so if you just want to return them to their natural color, baking soda can do that. However, if you truly want whiter teeth, then the answer has to be no. Let's explore this question in more depth.

Does Baking Soda Whiten Teeth?

Getting to the bottom of this question means one must understand a bit more about how baking soda is made. Science assigns the name sodium bicarbonate to what is commonly known as baking soda. It is produced by bubbling carbon dioxide through sodium carbonate. This chemical process produces crystals of mineral salt, aka, baking soda.

So, how does baking soda whiten teeth, or does it?

Baking soda is something science calls a weak base. What this means is that it will react with bases and acids simultaneously. This is what helps it to neutralize acids that are produced by the bacteria which causes plaque. As we all know, plaque destroys tooth enamel over time.

Baking soda also has a chemical structure that makes it work as a mild abrasive. This is why it is able to remove stains from the surface of teeth in the same way that other polishing agents, like dicalcium phosphate and hydrated silica do. They scrub teeth stains away. There is a difference with baking soda though. It dissolves in water easily, and that helps it penetrate better into those hard-to-reach areas where other abrasives are unable to go.

Does Baking Soda Whiten Teeth In Another Way?

The crystals of baking soda are able to whiten teeth because they are softer than the outer layers of teeth. Because it is softer than dentine and enamel, it will not scratch them while it is mechanically scrubbing away stains. The result is a brighter smile, but is it actually making teeth whiter?

I don't know of anyone who would not like whiter teeth, but does baking soda whiten teeth? Truthfully, that you can get brighter teeth that are not discolored by baking soda, but that does not mean they are whiter. So, if you do want teeth that are brilliantly white, you may need to use a bleaching product on them. Even so, when baking soda is used correctly, is a nice addition to daily oral care.

What You Can Do With Baking Soda Other Than Whitening Your Teeth

The answer to the question, "does baking soda whiten teeth" may have been answered, but there are some things you can do to help it do that. For instance, you can mix up your own teeth cleanser using baking soda, water and just a tiny bit of hydrogen peroxide. The hydrogen peroxide has whitening power.

The American dental Association does not recommend using baking soda alone to maintain healthy teeth because it does nothing to fight tooth decay and gum disease. It is also important that you add fluoride to your oral hygiene routine to keep enamel strong and fight plaque.

Conclusion

Does baking soda whiten teeth? No, but it can be an effective part of daily oral care. You just need to know how to use it and what other products to use with it.




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