Does Baking Soda Whiten Teeth for Sure?

Using homemade whitening paste is one of the most popular methods that people use to whiten their teeth. This is because it is rather convenient to make and spares them a whole lot of time and money from the most expensive place to have teeth bleached - the dentist's office. One of the more crucial elements of the homemade whitening paste is the baking soda. Without it, the homemade whitening paste won't really be that effective. The hot question at hand is - does baking soda whiten teeth?

Does baking soda whiten teeth? To find the answer, a close look at what baking soda (scientific name Sodium bicarbonate) is and what it does is necessary. Sodium bicarbonate is a chemical leavening agent used in baking and contrary to popular belief it is not the same as baking powder. First and foremost, sodium bicarbonate breaks up the plaque in the mouth and the teeth and it is helpful since plaque contributes to the coloring of teeth from white to yellowish. By getting into contact with water, sodium bicarbonate's properties change and in this form it works by removing stain and releasing free radicals (which penetrate the tooth enamel and crush double carbon bonds). Considering the amount of beverages that people drink other than water, as well as the amount of convenient foods consumed daily, the sodium bicarbonate is helpful to a certain extent as it is a proven cleaner.

Does baking soda whiten teeth? Yes, as the free radicals it releases clean and whiten surfaces of the teeth. Sodium bicarbonate is also strong enough to clean and whiten stains of coffee and soda. There is a catch however as these beneficial free radicals can also the damage the surfaces that are not strong enough in structure and in health. With this at hand, it is wise to be cautious as to how much baking soda is used on teeth as well as how often (or how long) it used every time. When applying sodium bicarbonate as the primary method for teeth bleaching, always consider the extent of damage it can cause on the teeth even though it is a proven cleaner and whitener on its own. It suggested to use sodium bicarbonate on a less frequent manner to whiten teeth, and then use more natural whiteners like the peels of orange (or a banana peel) on the teeth as it contains anti-oxidants that can help make the surface shinier and whiter. In short, baking soda does whiten teeth and cleans it, but it can be a damaging tool as well. It is best to be cautious and discuss sodium bicarbonate with a dentist.