Pros & Cons of Brushing with Baking Soda

Most people have baking soda in their fridge to absorb odors, for baking and cooking, or even for cleaning. You may have noticed that some toothpaste brands are centered around it as well, or even read online that baking soda can be used by itself for teeth whitening to fight stains from tea, coffee, cola, and tobacco. But the question is…is it safe for your teeth?

Well, let’s take a look at the pros first. In addition to brightening your smile, baking soda:

• Attacks the formation of plaque, preventing tooth decay and even gum disease
• Helps fight bad breath by balancing out the acidic levels of food particles in your mouth
• Helps treat sore mouth ulcers

And, now the cons:

• Using baking soda by itself own can be quite messy (which is why people would prefer to use it as part of a toothpaste in a tube)
• Baking soda on it’s own is not enough to prevent or fight tooth decay, as it isn’t able to kill bacteria
• Baking soda can unfortunately wear away your tooth enamel, as it can be quite abrasive (which is why it is able to whiten your teeth)
• Baking soda can be harsh on your gums
• Baking soda can soften the adhesiveness of your dental glue, used for things like braces and retainers
• You may not appreciate the grittiness or aftertaste

After reading this, you may be deterred from using baking soda on your teeth, or even baking soda toothpaste. It is best to discuss this with your dentist at your next visit. That said, if you plan to use it in the meantime, it is advisable to not use it more than two or three times a week. Also, don’t let it stay on your teeth for more than a couple of minutes.

If you are interested in professional teeth whitening in Surrey, BC area, we would love to help you! Call Healthy Smiles Family Dentistry today at 604- 593-8201 to book your appointment.