Baking soda is a common product found in nearly every household, and has been considered as a useful substance since the 1840s. It has been used in a variety of areas including baking, removing odors, cleaning, and even putting out small fires.
Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) is therefore a key ingredient in many cleaning products and is also found in a variety of available toothpastes to promote whiter teeth. You may have considered bypassing toothpaste altogether and just brushing teeth with baking soda. What are the pros and cons of adopting this oral healthcare habit?
The Benefits of Baking Soda for Dental Hygiene Temecula
- It is an economical choice as a box of baking soda is inexpensive and will last a long time.
- It effectively removes minor stains from teeth and is an effective whitening agent.
- Baking soda helps fight bad breath.
Disadvantages of Only Using Baking Soda
Despite the pros of baking soda, there are also some possible side-effects to consider before adopting it as a regular replacement for your toothpaste.
- Brushing teeth with baking soda has not been approved by the American Dental Association (ADA).
- It is slightly abrasive and if used repeatedly over time it can weaken tooth enamel, making your teeth more sensitive and vulnerable to dental cavities.
- Baking soda on its own does not kill the bacteria in the mouth that cause cavities and tooth decay.
- It doesn’t contain fluoride, which helps remineralize tooth enamel and prevent cavities.
- It can cause a burning sensation in the mouth.
- Brushing with baking soda is not a good idea for those wearing braces or permanent retainers as it has the potential to damage the dental glue holding the orthodontic brackets in place.
For more answers to your dental questions, call our Temecula dental office for a free consultation with Dr. Skidmore.
