Remember when we talked about why you shouldn’t use baking soda as an exfoliant? It’s way too harsh and can seriously dry out and irritate skin.
But what about baking soda as toothpaste? Here’s where it gets a bit tricky. Baking soda can be good for teeth, but NOT when used alone. Here’s what I mean…
Baking Soda Benefits: How Does It Help Teeth?
Baking soda helps teeth (and your whole mouth, for that matter) in 3 ways:
1. Baking Soda Reduces Plaque
Toothpaste does a great job at removing plaque and bacteria. It works even better when it contains baking soda. Here’s why:
In 2008, scientists compared commercial toothpastes with baking soda to commercial toothpastes without it and concluded that “brushing with dentifrices with higher concentrations of baking soda consistently removed numerically more plaque than those containing lower levels.“
2. Baking Soda Reduces Inflammation And Stains
Another study has found that toothpaste with baking soda can also reduce gengival inflammation and dental stains caused by tea, coffee, and even smoking, helping to keep your pearly whites… well, white. No wonder so many people are swapping their toothpastes for baking soda!
3. Baking Soda Helps Prevent Cavities
But what about its baking soda’s alkaline ph? We know that destroys skin. Isn’t that the same for your teeth?
Not really. A alkaline pH (baking soda has a ph of about 8) can cause havoc on skin and destroy the acid mantle that keeps it strong and healthy.
But it’s very good for teeth. An acid pH in the mouth can contribute to the formation of cavities. Baking soda counteracts this, keeping your mouth at an ideal pH.
Related: Why You Should NOT Use Baking Soda To Exfoliate Skin
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Baking Soda As Toothpaste: Are There Any Side Effects?
Before you get too excited and throw your usual toothpaste in the bin, hear this: baking soda works only when used IN toothpaste. NOT alone.
Baking soda is very abrasive. When used alone, all that scrubbing can easily damage the teeth’s enamel.It makes teeth more prone to cavities and more sensitive to hot or cold temperature.
It’s especially bad for people who wear braces, dental fittings or fixtures. It can weaken the glue that keeps them in place and cause them to fall out. Eek!
The bottom line
Baking soda is an important ally in the fight against plaque, cavities, and dental stains – but not when used alone. So, say yes to baking soda in toothpaste and no to baking soda as toothpaste.
Have you ever used baking soda as toothpaste? Share your experience in the comments below.
I have tried this after reading some dumb magazine article I’m sure .. lol. It’s salty awfulness .. bleck. I’ll stick with my regular tooth paste for sure.
Monica.
Monica, sorry you had to find out the hard way. It tastes awful, doesn’t it?
I don’t think I could handle the taste…
Melissa, it’s really bad, isn’t it? Much better to stick to toothpaste.