In the dental world, one question comes up often – what’s the deal with baking soda and toothpaste?
Years ago, people used to mix baking soda with water as a way to freshen breath and clean teeth. Today, toothpaste is a significantly more complex recipe of chemicals and flavors, but most still use baking soda as an ingredient.
But what about going back to basics? We’ll explore how effective simple baking soda toothpaste is for cleaning teeth and freshening breath, and whether you should use it!
What Is Baking Soda?
Baking soda has been around since the mid-19th century. It comes in many forms, but perhaps its most common iteration is that of the Arm & Hammer Baking Soda powder.
This ingredient is added to most toothpastes to enhance plaque and stain removal properties, but is also known to reduce the production and effect of acid in the mouth. Additionally, it helps fight infection with its antibacterial properties.
What is Baking Soda Made of?
Chemically, baking soda is known as sodium bicarbonate, a salt that has many properties used all over the spectrum of human activity. It’s molecular monicker is NaHCO3 , a blend of sodium, hydrogen, carbon, and oxygen. These components work together to create an incredibly effective – and consumer-safe – compound that we use almost daily!
How Do You Make Baking Soda Toothpaste?
In most cases, people who want to make baking soda toothpaste will find it very easy. Most users simply mix baking soda and a little bit of water – to create a slightly liquidy paste – on their toothbrush and get to brushing!
How to Whiten Teeth with Baking Soda Toothpaste
Many people will start to whiten their teeth using baking soda toothpaste because of its stain-fighting properties.
If you’re a smoker, or a coffee drinker, you’ll find that baking soda toothpaste works very well for brightening smiles while not damaging enamel. It’s also mild in taste, and is easily cleaned out after rinsing.
For those whose only goal is to whiten their teeth, a simple baking soda and water mixture would work perfectly. For a deeper sanitation of your mouth, you can add a touch of hydrogen peroxide – but not if you have sensitive gums or teeth!
How Fast Does Baking Soda Whiten Teeth?
When you mix baking soda and toothpaste, you’ll find it’s a slightly gritty and abrasive compound. The texture, coupled with baking soda’s cleaning and disinfecting properties, allow for an effective and relatively fast way to whiten teeth.
It’s difficult to know exactly how long it will take to whiten teeth with baking soda, but trying it for two weeks will definitely yield results!
It’s important to know what kind of toothpaste user you are. If you are someone who has serious dental problems, it is not advised to use baking soda toothpaste as a way to restore bad dental health. In that case, you’ll need the help of a dentist or oral surgeon to know what kind of toothpaste you should be using.
Do you use baking soda toothpaste, or have in the past? Leave a comment below! If you have more questions about using baking soda toothpaste, or have other dental needs, contact us today!