Whiten Teeth With Baking Soda

Do you want whiter teeth without spending tons of money on expensive products or treatments? This article will show you how to whiten your teeth using baking soda. Keep in mind that this should not replace regular brushing.

10 Second Summary

1. Mix 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda with a few drops of water to make a paste.
2. Scoop the paste up with your toothbrush.
3. Brush your teeth for no longer than 2 minutes.
4. Rinse your mouth and the toothbrush.
5. Repeat every other day for 1 to 2 weeks.
6. Scale back to once or twice a week.

Steps

Basic Method

  1. Mix the baking soda with water or lemon (they both work fine). In a small cup, mix half a teaspoon of baking soda with a few drops of either water or lemon. Be sure it is a paste, this way it will be easier to apply. For applying the paste to your teeth you can use a toothbrush or just your fingers. If it is a bad stain you want to remove, it's recommended you apply the paste directly to the stain and let it set for about two minutes. Just like with doing the dishes, some stains need a little extra scrubbing. This can also be the case with the stain on your teeth, use a toothbrush or your fingernails to scratch away that last bit of dirt.
    • For a better result you can dry the tooth surface with a gauze before applying the paste.
    • If you want an overall whitening effect, dip your toothbrush into the cup, to cover the bristles with the baking soda paste and start brushing.[1]
    • Alternatively, you can dip a wet toothbrush directly into some baking soda, and the powder will attach itself to the bristles; however, the taste of the baking soda will be very strong if you use this method.
  2. Brush your teeth for one to two minutes. Brush your teeth as you normally would, but really concentrate on getting the brush into all the cracks and crevices. Don't brush your teeth for any longer than two minutes, as baking soda is a mild abrasive and may begin to erode the enamel on your teeth. Ensure that no sideways destructive brushing occurs, purely up/down (like the type of brushing you might see in the movies).[2]
    • Make sure you are using a soft toothbrush and low brushing forces.
    • Be aware that the taste of baking soda is not particularly pleasant!
  3. Rinse. Spit out the baking soda and rinse your mouth with water or mouthwash. Give your toothbrush a thorough rinse as well.
  4. Repeat every other day. You should repeat the process of brushing your teeth with baking soda every other day for one or two weeks. You will notice a slight difference in the whiteness of your teeth after just a few days, and a substantial difference after a couple of weeks.[1]
    • After a couple of weeks of brushing with baking soda every second day, you should cut back to doing it just once or twice a week. This is because the abrasive properties of the baking soda may damage the enamel on your teeth if used too frequently.[2]
    • Be aware that brushing your teeth with baking soda should not replace brushing your teeth with regular toothpaste. Regular brushing will help to fight cavities, plaque build-up, gum disease, and keep your breath fresh.[2]
    • Before starting the whitening with baking soda, check with your dentist if your teeth are healthy enough to do this. Some patients may have defects of enamel mineralization, which contraindicates this treatment due to an increased abrasive effect.

Alternative Methods

  1. Mix the baking soda with hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide is another great household product that can be used to effectively whiten teeth. Simply mix half a teaspoon of hydrogen peroxide with a teaspoon of baking soda into a paste that resembles the consistency of toothpaste. Brush your teeth with this mixture, then let it sit on your teeth for a minute or two. Rinse off with water or mouthwash.[3]
    • Hydrogen peroxide can be found at most drugstores and is usually sold in a brown opaque bottle to prevent the hydrogen peroxide from reacting with light. Make sure you have a 3% solution, which is safe to use orally.[3]
    • Hydrogen peroxide also makes an effective antibacterial mouthwash. Dilute hydrogen peroxide with an equal amount of water. [4]
  2. Mix the baking soda with lemon or lime juice. Baking soda can also be mixed with fresh lemon or lime juice, as the citric acid in these fruits is an effective bleaching agent. Simply mix half a teaspoon of baking soda with half a teaspoon of freshly squeezed lemon or lime juice. Brush this mixture onto your teeth using a toothbrush and leave to sit for about a minute before rinsing thoroughly.[5]
    • Be aware that most dentists do not recommend this method, as the citric acid in the juice is corrosive and will damage teeth.[6]
  3. Mix the baking soda with toothpaste. You can mix a little baking soda with your regular toothpaste to get the whitening benefits of the baking soda, combined with the strengthening and protective properties of fluoride toothpaste. Simply place the regular amount of toothpaste on your toothbrush, sprinkle some baking soda on top, then brush as normal.

Tips

  • Make sure not to brush your gums, as it could result in a burning sensation and bleeding.
  • Repeat the use of baking soda every two weeks.
  • If you use the lemon and baking soda paste, do not brush your teeth within 30 minutes of using this method.
  • If it hurts when you brush your teeth and your gums get bloody, then this is not suggested.
  • After doing the baking soda and lemon method, brush your teeth soon after or else it will erode your teeth.But Improper use will wear enamel.
  • Using an electric toothbrush will help you to brush your teeth faster and more effectively.
  • After brushing your teeth, brush your tongue with your favorite spice and/or use a fruit. Bad breath is related to teeth only when they house food debris and plaque. The main cause of bad breath is bacteria growing on the gums. Try lightly brushing all the inside surface of your mouth (except your throat) after swishing mouthwash, right before your rinse.
  • Try to brush in different areas of the teeth each time you brush to avoid forgetting a place.
  • Also check with a dentist before doing it.
  • Make sure not to make the mixture too watery, keeping it more of a solid looking paste could be better.
  • You can add a drop of an aromatic extract to make the mixture taste more pleasant and refreshing.
  • Avoid brushing over five min.
  • Mix several teaspoons of baking soda with enough fresh lemon juice (or water) to make a paste. Wipe your teeth and any extra saliva off of them with a paper towel. Put a good amount of paste onto your toothbrush and apply. Leave the paste on for 1 minute, then rinse, so as to avoid the acid effecting enamel.

Warnings

  • Baking soda can dissolve orthodontic glue. Do not use this method if you have braces or a permanent retainer.
  • Don't brush your teeth too hard as it may damage your enamel (which is called abrasion), leading to hypersensitivity through dentin being exposed.
  • Do not use this method too often as abrasion represents permanent damage to the enamel of your teeth. There are some special toothpaste brands (often for smokers) which contain much gentler abrasives than baking soda. They can be used daily without any risk for the health of your teeth, so long as no sideways brushing occurs, and help to remove not only tobacco stains but also stains from coffee, tea, and wine.

Related Articles

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOgD_lcn9Vw
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 http://www.colgate.com/app/CP/US/EN/OC/Information/Articles/ColgateNewandNow/Personal/2013/January/article/SW-281474979043022.cvsp
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 http://hellogiggles.com/how-to-whiten-your-teeth-with-hydrogen-peroxide-but-is-it-safe
  4. ↑ http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/features/whiten-your-teeth-at-home
  5. ↑ http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/natural-teeth-whitening-solutions
  6. ↑ http://www.1800dentist.com/lemon-juice-may-squeeze-away-important-tooth-enamel/
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