They may have used baking soda back in the day as their toothpaste, but things have come a long way since then. We now have different types of toothpaste that are proven to clean teeth, protect against bacteria, and whiten smiles.

So why would we still use baking soda? Maybe it’s more affordable, or maybe you don’t like the idea of putting toothpaste ingredients in your mouth.

Whatever the case, we’re going to look at the claims that baking soda helps whiten teeth as well as how to correctly use it.

Does Baking Soda Whiten Teeth?

Many people say baking soda can brighten up your pearly whites, but is that actually true?

As we all know, baking soda is a common item found in most people’s cupboards. You can use it for both baking and cleaning, and it’s relatively safe. Lots of kinds of toothpaste use baking soda, also called sodium bicarbonate, is made up of a chemical compound that serves as an abrasive. This is what makes it a product that can potentially remove stains from your teeth.

The thing is that it may only remove surface stains, so if you’re looking to remove deeper discoloration and bacteria, baking soda may not be enough.

Is Baking Soda Bad For Your Teeth?

Everything has side effects, and baking soda is no exception. If you use it on your teeth continually or too much, it could damage the enamel on your teeth. Plus, it doesn’t have fluoride, an ingredient in most kinds of toothpaste that strengthens teeth. (Those with braces: don’t use baking soda as it will soften the braces glue).

If you’re going to use baking soda, it’s very important that you use it the right way.

How To Whiten Teeth With Baking Soda?

Because baking soda is a mild abrasive agent, it can be very effective in removing surface stains from your teeth. But it should be used only periodically -- this should not replace regular brushing with toothpaste.

Baking Soda And Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide sounds like it’s a dangerous chemical, but it’s actually safe for teeth whitening. It’s a bleaching agent that’s present in most teeth-whitening products. It helps kill the bacteria in the mouth.

Using hydrogen peroxide and baking soda together can be a one-two punch for the stains on your teeth. Then you can just brush your teeth, removing the stains and bacteria that these ingredients just loosened.

1. Mix 1 tablespoon of baking soda with hydrogen peroxide to make a paste
2. Put paste on toothbrush and brush your teeth for two minutes
3. When done, thoroughly rinse your mouth with water
4. Do this twice a week for 8-10 weeks

Baking Soda And Lemon Juice

The citric acid within lemon juice is a natural bleaching agent, so mixing it with baking soda can do the trick.

Here’s how you should do this:

1. Mix 1 tablespoon of lemon juice with 1 tablespoon of baking soda to make a paste
2. Put paste on a toothbrush and gently massage your teeth in a circular motion for 2 minutes
3. Rinse mouth well
4. Do this every 2-3 months for best results

Baking Soda And Water

This may be the simplest way to use baking soda as a teeth whitener.

Here are the steps:

1. Combine 1 tablespoon of baking soda with water to make a paste
2. Use paste on toothbrush and brush for roughly 2 minutes
3. Rinse your mouth out with water
4. Do this once a week for 2-3 months

Strawberry And Baking Soda

It may surprise you, but you can use strawberries to whiten your teeth. The ascorbic acid in strawberries serves as a decent whitening agent. Because it involves acid, you should limit how much you use this method.

Here’s how to go about this:

1. Mash 2-3 strawberries in a bowl
2. Pour in 1 tablespoon of baking soda and a pinch of salt
3. Mix ingredients into a paste
4. Brush your teeth with this paste for 1-2 minutes
5. Rinse your mouth with water to get all the paste off
6. Do this once every two weeks for 2-3 months

Apple Cider Vinegar And Baking Soda

The acetic acid in apple cider vinegar acts as a bacteria-killing agent and can help whiten your teeth. You should be careful, though, because this type of acid can damage your teeth if used too much.

Here’s one way to use it:

1. Mix equal parts baking soda and apple cider vinegar to make a paste
2. Use the paste to brush your teeth for 1-2 minutes
3. Rinse mouth thoroughly
4. You can do this once every few months, but don’t do it too frequently as it could damage enamel

Baking Soda And Toothpaste

If your toothpaste doesn’t already contain baking soda, you can add some for a whitening effect. This might be the safest at-home teeth-whitening solution.

The fluoride in your toothpaste helps protect against cavities or enamel damage, and the abrasiveness of baking soda can help remove stains.

Here’s how to do this:

1. Mix 1 tablespoon of baking soda with 2 tablespoons of toothpaste
2. Use the paste to brush your teeth for 2 minutes
3. Rinse your mouth well
4. Do this 1-2 times per week for best results

Coconut Oil And Baking Soda

Coconut oil contains something called lauric acid, an agent believed to break down bacteria in your mouth. People often use coconut oil for a whitening method called oil pulling, but you can also mix it with baking soda for brushing.

Here’s how to brush with this method:

1. Mix 1 tablespoon of baking soda with 1 tablespoon of coconut oil to make a paste (it may help to melt oil in the microwave beforehand)
2. Use this paste to brush your teeth for about 2 minutes
3. Rinse your mouth well with warm water
4. Do this 2-3 times per week for a few months

How To Whiten Teeth Safely And Effectively?

Baking soda is a natural teeth-whitening option, but it comes with many precautions and potentially harmful side effects. So really, the best way to whiten your teeth is with a proven, dental-grade method.

That’s why you should try out the at-home whitening kitAuraGlow. It’s a complete system that uses teeth whitening gel with LED light technology. Basically, you get dentist-office results from the comfort of your home.