Baking soda (bicarb soda) can remove some surface stains from teeth, but it does not bleach them. It is a mild abrasive, so it polishes away stains from tea, coffee and food without changing the natural colour of the tooth. This guide explains what baking soda can and cannot do and how to use it safely.
Does baking soda bleach teeth?
No. Bleaching changes the colour inside the tooth and needs a peroxide-based whitening gel. Baking soda only works on the surface. Teeth may look a little brighter once surface stains are removed, but the underlying shade stays the same.
Is baking soda suitable for teeth?
Baking soda is low in abrasiveness compared with many whitening toothpastes, and it is an ingredient in some toothpastes. Used gently and occasionally, it is unlikely to harm enamel. The risks come from how it is used:
- Scrubbing hard can irritate gums and wear exposed root surfaces
- Mixing it with lemon juice or vinegar is harmful, because the acid softens enamel
- Baking soda on its own has no fluoride, so it should not replace fluoride toothpaste
- It can affect the glue used for braces and some dental work if used often
How to use baking soda on teeth
If you choose to try it, mix a small amount with water to make a paste, brush gently with a soft toothbrush for up to two minutes and rinse well. Limit this to a few times a week and keep using fluoride toothpaste twice a day. A baking soda toothpaste with fluoride is a simpler option.
Baking soda compared with professional whitening
- Baking soda: removes some surface stains, no change to the natural tooth shade
- Whitening toothpaste: similar, surface stains only
- Take-home whitening from a dentist: custom trays and peroxide gel, used over one to two weeks
- In-chair whitening: a stronger gel applied by a dental practitioner in one visit
Results from whitening vary from person to person, and whitening does not change the colour of fillings, crowns or veneers. A dental examination is needed first to check that whitening is suitable.
Read more about teeth whitening at home, how to remove stains from teeth and teeth whitening cost in Australia. For stubborn surface stains, see Airflow teeth cleaning.
To book a visit at Penrith Dental Care, 42 Castlereagh Street, Penrith, contact our team. This article is general information and does not replace advice from your own dental practitioner.