You may have used baking soda in the past for a variety of different reasons from your favorite recipes, to cleaning and removing annoying odors and stains. It is also well known that it is possible to use baking soda as a replacement or preference over toothpaste. You may be wondering, if I brush with baking soda is it actually effective as toothpaste for my teeth and as a means for whitening?
Baking Soda vs. Fluoride Toothpaste
So, can you substitute baking soda for toothpaste? The short answer is yes, but it’s not as effective at stopping cavities as fluoride toothpaste. Still, it can certainly be a decent option for brushing your teeth.
Pros:
- The antibacterial ingredients that make up baking soda have plaque fighting properties and when mixed with water it has the ability to reduce the acidity of your mouth, stopping the spread of bacteria. It can be a good option if you want to avoid fluoride-based toothpaste.
- The abrasive properties of baking soda can help remove bacteria from the surfaces of your teeth.
- Some people like to veer away from using fluoride toothpaste because of its possible toxicity in higher levels, especially problematic in children toddler-aged and under.
Cons:
- Fluoride is simply more effective. Baking soda does not have the same shielding and regenerative elements that fluoride does. Toothpaste approved by the American Dental Association all contains fluoride as a cavity deterrent while baking soda is not an approved ingredient by the ADA. The potential adverse effects of fluoride mentioned earlier are only problematic if an unusually large amount is swallowed by younger children.
- The other main thing to keep in mind with baking soda and heavily based baking soda toothpaste is that they can have a gritty texture and a less minty taste than fluoride toothpaste. If this is a problem for you, you could try to opt for a toothpaste that contains baking soda, but as a lesser ingredient so the unsavory taste and rough texture are not a problem.
Does it Help Whiten Teeth?
Baking soda does help whiten teeth to an extent. Not only do the properties of baking soda help combat cavities, but they can also help in stain removal & making your smile shine brighter. Baking soda is able to do this through its abrasive traits. This is why some commercial toothpaste use it as a key ingredient. Baking soda will not, however, remove deeper stains that are more in-depth. If you try baking soda and aren’t satisfied with what you are seeing, you can try any of the many whitening products out there. We recommend a dentist-backed professional whitening solution, VerTrue.
Conclusion:
Baking soda certainly has its uses and while it doesn’t totally replace fluoride-based toothpaste, it can be beneficial in bacteria prevention and whitening relatively good. We recommend using baking soda as an addition to your oral healthcare routine rather than a fluoride toothpaste replacement. Watch out for home remedies online that combine baking soda with much less studied ingredients. Feel free to contact our office with any questions!
