You know how to use it when making cookies and cakes and you may have a box of it in your refrigerator to absorb odors, but did you know that baking soda acts as an effective toothpaste and teeth whitener? The experts at Parkcrest Dental explain.
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What Is Baking Soda?
Baking soda, also known as sodium bicarbonate, was used in Egypt as a cleaning agent more than a thousand years ago. In 1892, the first commercial toothpaste was invented and tubed. That toothpaste was a mixture of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide. Since then, not a whole lot has changed in the base ingredients in toothpaste, except for the addition of fluoride, colors and a minty flavor. But why was baking soda the main ingredient to begin with?
Why Baking Soda?
Baking soda is a natural cleaner, whitener and deodorizer. The Egyptians knew this. So did your grandmother. The abrasive qualities that make up baking soda can actually act as a detergent for your teeth, removing stains and plaque from the surface of the tooth without hurting the enamel.
In a 2017 article in the Journal of the American Dental Association, it was stated that baking soda reduces bacteria and decreases acidity in the mouth. When this happens, fluoride is more effective at rebuilding or repairing the tooth’s enamel.
Even people with the best diets still eat foods that create plaque. Throughout the day, as we eat and drink, bacteria found in plaque mixes with the sugars from the foods and creates acid. This acid attacks the enamel on our teeth. It’s a natural process that cannot be avoided.
However, treating it is completely within our power.
This is where baking soda comes in. The alkaline properties, combined with the abrasive particles in the soda, safely removed plaque, creating cleaner teeth and a fresher mouth.
How to Use Baking Soda
While it may seem like switching to a baking soda-only brushing regimen is a good idea, it is not. The abrasion will eventually harm the enamel. However, choosing a baking soda-based toothpaste like Arm & Hammer Toothpaste or adding a little baking soda to your regular fluoride toothpaste is an excellent way to offer additional cleaning and whitening to your teeth.
Visit Your Dentist at Parkcrest Dental Group
The staff at Parkcrest Dental Group wants you and your family to have the best possible dental health and oral hygiene. We’ll help keep your teeth clean and healthy while giving you tips on caring for your mouth at home. Contact Parkcrest Dental Group online or call (417) 887-1220 to make an appointment or to talk to us about dental care tips.
