Is Baking Soda Toothpaste Effective? (2024)

Sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) is a household staple used primarily in baking and cleaning. However, some people use baking soda for health-related conditions, like soothing mouth sores, heartburn, and brushing teeth.

Research supports using baking soda paste to clean and whiten teeth, but the taste and texture of baking soda can be off-putting. As an alternative, dental products that contain baking soda are widely available.

This article discusses the pros and cons of brushing your teeth with baking soda.

Is Baking Soda Toothpaste Effective? (1)

Is It Safe to Brush Teeth With Baking Soda?

Researchers have studied whether baking soda as toothpaste is safe. Studies have concluded the following about its safety as a dental cleaner:

  • Low abrasiveness
  • Does not contribute to root sensitivity
  • Safe for people on low-salt diets

In addition, researchers evaluated baking soda's abrasiveness in commercial toothpastes and found that products containing baking soda are safe and low abrasive.

You generally swallow 5% to 7% of the toothpaste you're brushing with. At these low levels, baking soda is safe to ingest.

Advantages

Brushing teeth with baking soda offers numerous benefits. It is an inexpensive way to whiten teeth, and it can reduce plaque and the risk of gingivitis (gum disease).

Whitens Teeth

The mild abrasiveness of baking soda makes it an ideal product for scrubbing away stains, and research supports its use as a teeth whitener. One study found that baking soda toothpaste was effective as a stain remover and whitener.

Is Inexpensive

Baking soda is cheap. So, if you're on a budget and can't afford expensive teeth whitening procedures or products, baking soda makes a great low-cost alternative.

Reduces Plaque and Gingivitis

Baking soda is an excellent scrubbing agent to remove plaque, a sticky coating of bacteria that builds up on teeth. Its cleansing properties make it ideal for keeping your mouth clean.

One study found that toothpaste containing baking soda is effective at removing plaque biofilm. In another study, researchers found baking soda toothpaste users had reduced gum bleeding, gum inflammation, and plaque buildup after six months.

May Reduce Bacteria

Researchers found baking soda reduces mouth bacteria due to its neutralizing effect on acids produced by oral bacteria. This process can interrupt the attachment of bacteria to the tooth, thereby reducing the likelihood of plaque growth.

Disadvantages

While there are plenty of pros for using baking soda paste for teeth, there are also some downsides.

It’s Gritty and Tastes Unappealing

Baking soda doesn't taste great and can feel like sand between your teeth. If you can't tolerate plain baking soda mixed with water, plenty of commercial toothpaste options contain baking soda.

Doesn’t Protect Against Cavities

Another disadvantage of using baking soda to clean teeth is that it lacks the necessary fluoride to protect your teeth from cavities. In one review, researchers discovered fluoride toothpaste had a dose-dependent effect on preventing cavities. The higher the fluoride concentration, the better-protected participants were from cavities. Using baking soda alone is not approved by the American Dental Association (ADA) because it lacks fluoride.

Less Dramatic Whitening

While baking soda is a practical, low-cost whitening agent for superficial stains, it is less effective than other commercial products or professional services. That is because commercially available products and professional services rely on more potent ingredients, including bleaching agents for deeper stains.

Baking Soda Dental Products

Many toothpaste manufacturers have products that contain baking soda. Some products containing baking soda are:

  • Crest Baking Soda and Peroxide Whitening
  • Colgate Baking Soda and Peroxide Whitening
  • Arm and Hammer Advance White Breath Freshening
  • Aim Whitening Fresh Mint Gel With Baking Soda
  • Ultra Brite Baking Soda and Peroxide Whitening
  • Tom's of Maine Natural Baking Soda Cavity Protection

When purchasing toothpaste, read the label to ensure it includes fluoride for maximum cavity protection and contains the ADA seal of approval.

Summary

Baking soda toothpaste is a safe and effective way to clean and whiten teeth. However, brushing with baking soda alone is not approved by the ADA because baking soda lacks fluoride, an essential cavity-fighting ingredient. An alternative is to purchase a commercial toothpaste that includes baking soda and fluoride.

A Word From Verywell

Since baking soda lacks fluoride, it's probably not the best choice for everyday toothpaste. However, it might be a perfect scrub for occasionally brightening your smile and whitening teeth. It can also be a good alternative if you run out of toothpaste. To make a baking soda toothpaste, pour a little baking soda into a small dish and add enough water to form a paste. Then, dip your toothbrush into the mixture and brush as usual.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How effective at tartar removal is brushing teeth with baking soda?

    Research has shown baking soda to be quite effective at removing tartar from teeth. Its abrasiveness helps remove plaque, while its neutralizing properties prevent bacteria from sticking to teeth.

    Learn MorePlaque vs. Tartar

  • How fast does baking soda whiten teeth?

    Since baking soda whitens teeth by scrubbing off stains, you should see whitening effects immediately after brushing. However, it may take multiple brushings to remove stains thoroughly.

    Learn MoreGuide to Brushing Your Teeth

  • How often should you brush your teeth with baking soda?

    Baking soda is safe to use as everyday toothpaste. However, keep in mind that an at-home baking soda preparation lacks an essential ingredient for reducing cavities—fluoride. So, it's best to use a fluoride product and reserve baking soda for an occasional scrub.

    Learn MoreThe Importance of Tooth Enamel

7 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

  1. Ciancio SG.Baking soda dentifrices andoral health.J Am Dent Assoc. 2017;148(11S):S1-S3. doi:10.1016/j.adaj.2017.09.009

  2. Hara AT, Turssi CP. Baking soda as an abrasive in toothpastes: Mechanism of action and safety and effectiveness considerations.J Am Dent Assoc. 2017;148(11S):S27-S33. doi:10.1016/j.adaj.2017.09.007

  3. Li Y. Stain removal and whitening by baking soda dentifrice: A review of literature.J Am Dent Assoc. 2017;148(11S):S20-S26. doi:10.1016/j.adaj.2017.09.006

  4. Myneni SR. Effect of baking soda in dentifrices on plaque removal.J Am Dent Assoc. 2017;148(11S):S4-S9. doi:10.1016/j.adaj.2017.09.004

  5. Ghassemi A, Hooper WJ, Vorwerk LM, et al. The effects of two baking-soda toothpastes in enhancing mechanical plaque removal and improving gingival health: A 6-month randomized clinical study.Am J Dent. 2020;33(5):265-272.

  6. Walsh T, Worthington HV, Glenny AM, Marinho VC, Jeroncic A. Fluoride toothpastes of different concentrations for preventing dental caries.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2019;3(3):CD007868. Published 2019 Mar 4. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD007868.pub3

  7. American Dental Association. Toothpastes.

Is Baking Soda Toothpaste Effective? (2)

By Kathi Valeii
Valeii is a Michigan-based freelance writer with a bachelor's degree in communication from Purdue Global.

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Is Baking Soda Toothpaste Effective? (2024)

FAQs

Is Baking Soda Toothpaste Effective? ›

Baking soda toothpaste is a safe and effective way to clean and whiten teeth. However, brushing with baking soda alone is not approved by the ADA because baking soda lacks fluoride, an essential cavity-fighting ingredient. An alternative is to purchase a commercial toothpaste that includes baking soda and fluoride.

What are the disadvantages of baking soda toothpaste? ›

Cons of Brushing Teeth with Baking Soda

Baking soda manufacturers have not mastered the handy packaging you find among most toothpastes. It feels gritty. Anyone who has experienced brushing teeth with baking soda will most likely comment on the unpleasant feeling of soda throughout their mouth.

Is it good to brush your teeth with baking soda? ›

Yes, it does work. While baking soda can't protect your teeth from cavities as effectively as a fluoride toothpaste can, it's still considered a good cleaning agent for your teeth. Toothpastes containing baking soda have been shown to have antibacterial properties, which can help protect your teeth from decay.

Is it okay to use baking soda toothpaste every day? ›

The Journal of the American Dental Association states that baking soda is safe for daily use. It is a good idea to only use baking soda to brush the teeth once per day. Use a good fluoride toothpaste to brush teeth the rest of the time.

How long does baking soda toothpaste take to whiten teeth? ›

But, how long the baking soda takes to work depends on the severity of the stains. Generally, it takes about two weeks of daily use before you start seeing results. If you're looking for a quick fix, other options are available, such as professional teeth whitening in the Colony, TX, or take-home kits.

Why do dentist not recommend baking soda? ›

The Disadvantages And Risks Of Using Baking Soda

It can damage the enamel which may cause the teeth to become more sensitive than they should be to hot or cold temperatures, and it can also make brushing your teeth by itself painful. Damage to the enamel can also make the teeth more likely to attract cavities.

What cleans your teeth better, baking soda or toothpaste? ›

Baking soda is a less abrasive way to remove plaque than brushing with most non-baking soda toothpastes. On average, toothpastes with baking soda have a lower Relative Dentin Abrasivity (RDA) value, making them an ideal option for cleaning your teeth without sacrificing the health of your enamel!

How do celebrities get their teeth so white? ›

For celebrity-level whiteness, cosmetic dentists will usually use one of three different procedures: professional whitening treatments, veneers, or crowns.

Does a banana peel whiten teeth? ›

Banana peels don't do anything to whiten your teeth. Many articles recommend rubbing the peel against your teeth for a few minutes. While this could scrub off some surface stains, it's no more effective than brushing your teeth. Banana peels have no special whitening properties.

Does baking soda help with receding gums? ›

That lonely little box of baking soda receding gums is the key to completely (and cheaply) transforming your at-home dental health regimen. Just make a paste of salt water and soda and give your teeth a punch of strength.

Does baking soda remineralize teeth? ›

No, baking soda cannot remineralize a cavity. While it is effective at breaking up plaque biofilm and removing surface stains due to its mild abrasive properties, baking soda doesn't have the necessary minerals your body needs repair and rebuild tooth enamel once a cavity has formed.

What happens if you leave baking soda on your teeth for too long? ›

Baking soda with intensive and prolonged use can completely destroy the tooth enamel, as well as cause gum disease. With this product, you can actually get rid of plaque and pollution, but at a very high price. The price that you give when whitening with baking soda includes your healthy tooth enamel.

How long does it take for baking soda to remove tartar? ›

Brush your teeth with a mixture of baking soda and water on your toothbrush, or combine it with your toothpaste. You can also leave a paste of baking soda and water on for 15 minutes for added effect.

Does swishing hydrogen peroxide whiten teeth? ›

A simple hydrogen peroxide mouthwash may help remove mild stains. However, a person should avoid leaving hydrogen peroxide solutions on their teeth for extended periods. For people who have darker stains, stronger whitening options are available both over the counter and from a dentist.

How to get white teeth in 1 day with baking soda? ›

To try this method, mix 2 parts of baking soda with 1 part of 1% to 3% hydrogen peroxide to form a paste. Brush your teeth with the mixture for 1 to 2 minutes, then rinse with water. Make sure you use hydrogen peroxide with a concentration of 3% or less.

How to get super white teeth? ›

For your benefit, we've provided you with seven different ways to naturally whiten your teeth.
  1. Eat Strawberries. ...
  2. Eat Plenty of Fruits and Vegetables. ...
  3. Brush After You Eat or Drink. ...
  4. Rinse with Apple Cider Vinegar. ...
  5. Apply Coconut Oil. ...
  6. Brush Your Tongue. ...
  7. Use Baking Soda and Hydrogen Peroxide.

Who should not use baking soda? ›

People who are pregnant, who take other medications, or who have underlying health conditions should talk with a doctor before taking even a small dose of baking soda. People should not use sodium bicarbonate for longer than 2 weeks at a time.

Is Arm and Hammer baking soda toothpaste safe? ›

The grittiness is most likely the feel of the baking soda before it quickly dissolves in your mouth. Rest assured that ARM & HAMMER™ products are low in abrasion and will not harm your teeth.

Why do my teeth feel weird after baking soda? ›

Tooth enamel gradually begins to thin with the continuous use of baking soda, which leads to tooth pain and sensitivity.

What are the side effects of rinsing your mouth with baking soda? ›

Baking soda may be allergic to some people, especially women, as a result, it may cause rashes and sores on the palate, gums, tongue, and lips. Burning, itching or pain may occur due to mucosal irritation. Also, bleeding gums are not impossible.

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