Is baking soda good for your teeth?

Is baking soda good for your teeth?

Partly. Healthline says baking soda cleans teeth and can reduce plaque, but is less effective than fluoride toothpaste at preventing cavities because it contains no fluoride. It says baking soda's grains disrupt plaque biofilm, which can lower bacteria levels, and that a 2017 study found a baking soda rinse raised mouth pH, making it harder for cavity-causing bacteria to thrive. It is also a mild abrasive that can remove some surface stains, though it may whiten less than peroxide products.

Can you brush your teeth with baking soda?

Healthline's page says yes, and describes mixing equal parts baking soda and water into a paste and brushing gently in circles for about a minute before spitting and rinsing. It says the ADA considers baking soda safe for enamel and dentin, but that it is still mildly abrasive, and the ADA recommends fluoride toothpastes for cavity prevention. It does not specify how often to use it. A sensible approach, consistent with these sources, is to keep using fluoride toothpaste and treat baking soda as an occasional extra, if at all.

What the ADA says about abrasive pastes

ADA MouthHealthy warns that abrasive scrubs, including baking soda and hydrogen peroxide pastes, can wear away enamel, exposing the yellow dentin beneath, which can make teeth look more yellow. It says the page does not separately assess baking soda alone, and that there is no evidence charcoal dental products are safe or effective. Cleveland Clinic says baking soda appears in whitening toothpaste as an abrasive, and does not endorse it as a home remedy. So the key difference is between a commercial toothpaste with tested abrasiveness and a homemade mix.

Does baking soda whiten teeth?

It can remove surface stains, according to Healthline, but may whiten less than peroxide products. Whitening that changes the actual tooth color needs bleaching agents; ADA MouthHealthy says stain-removal toothpastes use mild abrasives to remove surface stains but do not change the tooth's actual color. Our guide on whitening strips and our whitening hub explain safer options.

Risks and drawbacks

Healthline lists no fluoride, the salty gritty taste and texture, and the risk of additives. It warns that adding lemon juice or apple cider vinegar can damage enamel and increase cavity risk. ADA MouthHealthy says acid from fruit and vinegar can wear away enamel when it stays in contact with teeth or is used to scrub them. Do not scrub hard or add acidic ingredients, and stop if your teeth or gums become sensitive.

Baking soda for other uses

Cleveland Clinic suggests scrubbing a yellowed retainer gently with baking soda and a soft toothbrush, and Healthline's mouthguard cleaning page suggests a baking soda and water paste to remove debris and odor, which are different from brushing teeth with it. Check with your orthodontist or dentist before using it on appliances.

Safer ways to keep teeth clean and bright

The ADA's advice is to brush twice daily, clean between teeth daily, limit staining foods and drinks, avoid tobacco, see a dentist regularly, and choose whitening toothpaste and at-home bleaching products that carry the ADA Seal of Acceptance, after talking to your dentist.

Questions to ask your dentist

If you want a whiter smile, ask before you start a home routine.

• Is my toothpaste right for my teeth, and does it have fluoride?
• Are my stains surface stains that a toothpaste could help, or deeper color?
• Is a home paste such as baking soda safe for my enamel and gums?
• Which whitening products carry the ADA Seal of Acceptance?
• How often should I have professional treatment, if at all?

Frequently asked questions