Baking soda, or sodium bicarbonate, is a common household product that has a variety of uses – it can help with everything from removing the oil and grease of your cooking pans to unclogging your drains.

However, when it comes to using baking soda on the teeth, there a lot of questions to be asked like “How safe it is?”, “Does it damage your teeth?”, “How effective it is teeth whitening?” and so on.  Accordingly, this article tackles how baking soda can be helpful to your dental health.

Baking soda as a Powerful Neutralizer

In its physical form, baking soda is odorless white crystalline powder. It has a pH level of 8-9 which is categorized as basic and non-toxic.^[1]  As you brush your teeth, the baking soda’s elements interact with the stain molecules found on your tooth enamel or the protective coating of your teeth.

It scrapes it off as it binds to the stains, therefore breaking down the discoloration of your teeth and making them look whiter.  As it is slightly alkaline in nature and an alkaline environment hinders the plaque acids from interacting with the teeth, reversing the growth of cavities.^[2]  

In a nutshell, baking soda neutralizes acids in the mouth because of its alkalinity, and as a result, it eliminates decay-causing bacteria promoting whiter and healthier teeth.

Natural Teeth Color : White vs. Yellow

While everyone strives for bright white teeth, some factor affects the intrinsic color of the teeth. Genes and Age plays a vital role in the teeth color.

According to sciencefocus.com, each person is born with different enamel depending on the genes. Your teeth’s enamel is naturally a blueish white color while the dentin beneath it is naturally yellow. Since the enamel is translucent, the yellow shows through which creates a light grey or light yellow color. ^[3]

In addition, experts at The Cleveland Clinic say that as we age, our enamel thins and our dentin yellows causing teeth to appear more yellow and sensitivity problems. ^[4]

Low Abrasivity and Whiter Teeth

The abrasiveness of a substance depends hardness, particle size and shape, and the pH level it contains.  Baking soda’s intrinsic hardness is relatively low when compared to that of the enamel or dentin^.[5]

Therefore, the abrasiveness of baking soda makes it safe for dental hygiene practices.  Researchers reported that toothpaste with baking soda is more effective in superficial stain removal and whitening compared to those who don’t contain baking soda in their formulation.^[6]

However, when deep colored stains are present in the teeth, baking soda may have a minimal effect.  It is important to consult with your dentist about the best options for teeth whitening – let Energetic Smile work with you to get a whiter and brighter smile!

References:

1. CAMEO Chemical Datasheet. SODIUM BICARBONATE. Retrieved from https://cameochemicals.noaa.gov/chemical/21013. (Accessed June 6, 2018 )
2. PubChem Open Chemistry Database. Sodium Bicarbonate. Retrieved from https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/sodium_bicarbonate#section=Pharmacology-and-Biochemistry. (Accessed June 6, 2018)
3. Villazon, L. ( 2019 ).  Are yellow teeth stronger?. Retrieved from https://www.sciencefocus.com/the-human-body/are-yellow-teeth-stronger/
4. Salinas, J. DDS. ( 2016 February 11 ). Does whitening toothpaste actually whiten teeth?. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/expert-answers/whitening-toothpaste/faq-20058411
5. Sabharwal, A. and Scannapieco, F.A. ( 2017. ). Baking soda dentifrice and periodontal health: a review of the literature. Journal of American Dental Association.  Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29056185 (Accessed June 6, 2018 )
6. Putt, MS and Milleman, KR et. al. ( 2008 ) Enhancement of plaque removal efficacy by tooth brushing with baking soda dentifrices: results of five clinical studies. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19278079 (Accessed June 6, 2018 )
7. Hara, A.T. and Turssi, C.P. ( 2017 )Baking soda as abrasive in toothpastes: mechanism of action and safety and effectiveness considerations. Journal of American Dentist Association. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29056187 (Accessed June 6, 2018 )
8. Li, Y. Stain removal and whitening by baking soda dentifrice: a review of literature. Journal of American Dental Association. 2017. Retrieved from https://jada.ada.org/article/S0002-8177(17)30822-X/fulltext#sec4 (Accessed June 6, 2018 )