“Is baking soda safe to brush with?“
“Will I damage my teeth if I brush with baking soda?“
These are just a couple of the many ‘baking soda safety’ questions that we commonly receive from readers like you.
There are experts who claim that regularly brushing with baking soda can cause wear on tooth enamel and gum tissue.
In this article, we’ll discuss the deeper issue behind the ‘damage’ that’s being blamed on baking soda. We’ll also explore some of the true risks and benefits of brushing with it.
Is baking soda really to blame?
Our teeth like to be polished and our gums like to be massaged.
If we remember just this one thing while brushing, we’ll be much more inclined to treat our teeth more carefully:
Our teeth are living gems.
Yep, our tooth structure is like a crystal. But, unlike rubies and diamonds, these ‘tooth crystals’ are alive!
The bottom line is that most of us brush our teeth unconsciously. We call it ‘zombie brushing’.
Let’s face it, if we brush our teeth like we’re scrubbing a grout line in our bathroom, then yes, using baking soda to brush our teeth could potentially cause some real problems.
One way to tell whether you brush unconsciously is to note how you hold your toothbrush.
If you hold your toothbrush with a closed fist, you’re most likely scrubbing a grout line.
Instead, holding your toothbrush like we show in this video will offer a much gentler approach to caring for our oral hygiene.
So, before we dive any further into the details of whether or not it’s safe to regularly brush with baking soda, let’s firmly state that how we brush our teeth is definitely more important than what we brush with.
We’ve written extensively on the importance of this ‘how vs. what’ debate in previous articles that details the pros and cons of brushing with electric or manual toothbrushes.
Now that we have a firm grasp of the importance of brushing consciously, let’s explore the risks and benefits of using baking soda to brush our teeth.
Here are the potential downsides to using baking soda as a tooth powder.
Risk 1: Abrasivity
Is baking soda too abrasive?
To answer this, let’s compare baking soda to some abrasives that are commonly included in oral hygiene products.
In the world of oral hygiene products, there’s a scale called ‘Relative Dentin Abrasivity’ (or RDA). It ranks product
Baking soda is only a 7 on the RDA scale. (1) So, at first glance, it seems that when used consciously, baking soda isn’t too abrasive.
But let’s look a bit closer to make sure…
Pay attention if you have receding gums
As you know, the enamel is the outer portion of each tooth. Under the enamel is the dentin, then the tooth pulp.
However, if we have receding gums, it’s very possible that the portion of tooth around our gum line may no longer be enamel. As the gum recession progresses, the softer tooth tissue called ‘cementum’ may become exposed around the gum line.
As you can see from this image, the enamel only extends so far down the sides of our teeth. So once the gum line has receded, this exposes the cementum.
This explains why it’s more common for adults to get cavities along the gum line than on the chewing surfaces of their teeth. The receding gums expose the cementum, which is softer than the enamel that covers the crown of the tooth (therefore, it’s more prone to decay as well as structural damage from brushing too hard and using products that are too abrasive).
However, overall, when used consciously, baking soda is ok to use in a tooth powder.
“Risk” 2: What about the aluminum in baking soda?
This is a common cultural myth. Baking soda does not contain aluminum.
Some product manufacturers have caused confusion by listing ‘aluminum-free baking soda’ on their ingredient list, but baking soda doesn’t have any aluminum in it.
The confusion comes from the fact that some baking powders do contain aluminum derivatives. So, baking soda got thrown under the bus in this case of mistaken identity.
Again, baking soda does not contain aluminum. So this is a non-issue.
Risk 3: Daily use of baking soda by itself may be too far…
There are experts in the field who suggest that brushing with baking soda alone is too ‘rough’ and compromises the healthy biofilm that our teeth need in order to be healthy.
The ‘pellicle’ is a naturally occurring layer of health-giving bacteria
Our article, “How teeth decay“, explains the decay process and why it’s so important that we balance our oral flora rather than try to kill all microbes in the mouth.
Incidentally, that’s why we chose to include baking soda as a minor ingredient in OraWellness Shine, our remineralizing tooth whitening powder. The formulation includes just enough to help, but without going overboard (more is not always better; balance is key).
Now that we’ve unpacked some of the risks of brushing with baking soda, let’s explore some of the benefits.
Benefit 1: Supports a healthier oral pH
Our mouth pH plays a big role in determining which populations of bacteria flourish there. It’s generally recognized that the lower (more acidic) the pH in the mouth, the greater the risk of tooth decay. (Enamel demineralization occurs at pH 5.5 and lower.)
You see, the bacteria that flourish at a pH of 5.5 will find a pH of 6.5 or 7.0 downright inhospitable. To successfully manage our oral microbiome, our job is to help maintain a mouth pH that supports the probiotic bacteria populations that help us to live healthy, vital lives.
Baking soda’s pH of 8.3 helps support a more alkaline oral pH. It gently nudges the environment in our mouths to a healthier place.
For more information on pH’s role in our oral health, check out our article, “Tracking your saliva pH“. This article contains a free OraWellness saliva tracking log that you can download to help you along your path.
Benefit 2: Baking soda lowers thug bug count
Plenty of research shows that baking soda can really help lower the populations of thug bugs in the mouth, so it’s an effective support tool to reduce periodontal pathogens. (2)
This makes sense if you stop and think about it.
Baking soda is sodium bicarbonate, so it’s a salt. All salts are naturally antimicrobial.
Benefit 3: Helps to gently remove extrinsic stains from teeth
A couple of years ago we took a deep dive into researching commercial teeth whitening.
You can read the solutions we gleaned from that research by downloading our FREE eBook, How to Naturally Whiten Your Teeth (without destroying your enamel).
Do the benefits outweigh the risks?
Given the above information, we believe that baking soda can offer support in helping us navigate to optimal oral health provided that we brush consciously and avoid ‘zombie brushing’ our teeth.
Baking soda definitely provides plenty of ‘grit’ to help remove plaque. However, to avoid causing more harm than good, we must be vigilant and mindful while brushing with baking soda.
You see, most of the grit from baking soda (and toothpaste, for that matter) is diluted with saliva and ‘used up’ within the first 20 seconds of brushing.
So for example, if out of habit you always start on the upper left side when brushing, the teeth and surrounding gum tissue in that area are going to get more than their fair share of abrasive action, and they may weaken over time.
How to avoid overworking one spot in your mouth
To help mitigate the risk of this habitual ‘starting to brush in the same spot every time’, we share a simple strategy in our free video tutorial course, the 5 Steps to a Healthy Mouth.
Here’s the simple strategy…
Presuming you brush twice a day, start on one side of your mouth in the morning and the other side at night. An easy way to remember this is ‘at night, start on the right’.
So, each morning start brushing on the left side of your mouth and each night, on the right.
In this way, we reduce the risk of over brushing one area and we spread out the fresh toothpaste/tooth powder to various areas around the mouth.
How to use baking soda in a homemade tooth powder
We are so grateful for the resurgence of the DIY (do-it-yourself) movement. From making deodorant to raising backyard chickens, we’re all waking up to the benefits of doing or making things ourselves.
If you want to try your hand at making a
You may also consider using
If
Also, we invite you to read our article, “How to make a DIY
Wrapping up…
If you like the idea of using a tooth powder to remineralize your teeth but you don’t want to try making it yourself, you may want to check out OraWellness Shine, our remineralizing tooth whitening powder. Here are just a couple of the hundreds of testimonials we’ve received since launching Shine:
- “At my last dental visit, my dentist said, ‘Whatever you are doing, just keep it up!'” – Lisa H.
- “After using Shine for several weeks my teeth feel noticeably less sensitive. My husband won’t always “buy in” to natural remedies & cures, and he outright did not believe you could remineralize your teeth. I bought Shine for myself and use it every day. Although skeptical, he saw me using it and he decided to try it. During his next visit to the dentist, they could not believe how much his teeth had improved! His hygienist & dentist both asked him what he had been doing. They thought he gave up soda and candy (which unfortunately he hasn’t lol), but I am so thankful he gave Shine a try! We may never have a perfect diet but using Shine is a simple and effective step toward a healthier life! Thank you!”
You can learn more about how OraWellness Shine helps remineralize and gently whiten teeth here.
How about you? Do you use baking soda in your toothpaste/tooth powder? If so, why? If not, why not?
Sharing your thoughts in the comments section really helps us all to learn from one another. Together we can accomplish so much good.
Helpful, Related Resources:
How to Naturally Whiten Your Teeth [free eBook]
How to brush your teeth to stop tooth decay [video tutorial]
4 reasons why brushing is so important [article]
How to Brush Your Teeth to Reduce Gum Disease (Bass 2.0) [video tutorial]
Electric Manual Brushes… Which is Better?
Tooth whitening without abrasive toothpaste – Independent lab test results [article]
Tracking Your Saliva pH – part 2 of ‘How to Know You Are Heading in the Right Direction [article]
5 Steps to a Healthy Mouth [free video tutorial series]
What Causes Receding Gums and How to Stop it [article]
How to Stop Receding Gums [article]
How to help your family be free from tooth decay [[expert interview]]
Can some plaques actually help our teeth stay healthy?
How teeth decay – part 2 of ‘How to stop cavities and reverse tooth decay [article]
The ‘Perfect Storm’ for Decay [article]
How to Balance Your ‘Oral Flora’ [article]
How to Stop Tooth Decay [article]
Is Xylitol Safe to Brush with? [article]
How to make a DIY
OraWellness Shine [product solution]
How Shine Works [informational video]
OraWellness HealThy Mouth Blend [product solution]
OraWellness MCHA (
Sources:
Human tooth diagram-en
1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mohs_scale_of_mineral_hardness
2. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/6094783
Thanks so much for your publications. I find it really rewarding. I use baking soda and a little quantity of salt added to brush my teeth daily. I feel really fresh in my mouth after brushing, but I was being sceptical of the aftermath in due course. Your publications has given me some relief and I want to involve my children in the act. Your advice please. Thanks. TIMMY I. Nigeria.
Thanks for the great article, it’s very helpful as usual. I brush every day twice a day with my homemade coconut oil/baking soda toothpaste. Now that I have read this article, I am wondering if that is too often and I should use another toothpaste besides the baking soda one. If that’s the case:
1.) How often should I alternate between the two pastes?
2.) What should the alternate paste be?
Thanks for another great article. Love the tip re alternating sides.
As well as using your drops, brushes and Shine powder with good results I rinse with baking soda and water after I drink warm water with lemon or cider vinegar, or kombucha because I have noticed they increase sensitivity and have heard they erode enamel. Seems to work and as mentioned reduces the abrasiveness issue.
Thanks for your awesome work.
You can’t be serious that xylitol sourced from GMO corn can be a problem!
Many people do NOT want to consume GMOs.
I suffer from stained teeth and have just started using a mixture of Sodium bicarb, coconut oil all mixed in with my regular toothpaste. So far it’s doing the trick except for where I have had repairs on my front teeth which has left brown lines. I’m told this is due to drinking tea (I’m English). Do you have any suggestions for this?
Great Article,
What I want to add is that baking soda is not a good option for people wearing teeth retainers,
I’m using baking soda and some lemon juice since I’m a teenager and it really works for me. Thanks for sharing this wonderful tips to us.
Due to the abrasive nature of baking soda, I’ve always brushed normally in the morning, then put a little bit of baking soda on my toothbrush at night. Should I do it both morning and night, or would you suggest one or the other?
Hey Friend,
Thanks for sharing such useful information.Actually I have been seen on internet many times the baking soda oral health tips and was confused with it.So your post is really helpful for me & I really appreciate it.
Hi,
Thanks a lot for this info. Indeed, baking soda is rated 8 on the RDA scale, which is nothing.
I brush with an electronic brush because otherwise I don’t brush well…..therefore, I cannot brush wrong while using baking soda, right ? I have very sensitive enamel, due to too much acid when I was younger, so planning to make my homemade toothpaste (3tbsp baking soda, 3tbsp coconut oil, and pepperming and spearmint oil). I also oil pull every morning. Really hurts, I also use 2 times a week activated charcoal. Some use it every day, not sure on the abrasiviness, I think it’s 50 or 80, do you have an idea ?
Hi Will & Susan,
You two are Rockstars for our teeth.
I have read every comment here…I’m wondering about using coconut oil & rinsing it down the
sink, I know how it can collect in bowls etc. that I have used it in, I guess if you’re married to a plumber
or roto rooter person it may not be an issue….just wondering…we do love it in everything even our bullet proof coffee…& many things we consume.
Many thanks & Appreciation for ALL you do & are,
Linda
Aloha Linda,
Thanks for reaching out to us here to ask your question!
We don’t recommend rinsing coconut oil down the sink. It’s probably better to dispose of it in a trash can, especially the oil after oil pulling. When washing dishes with remnants of coconut oil, just make sure the water temperature is on the warm side. You can also add a couple of tablespoons of baking soda to the water to help cut grease. If you’re still concerned about clogging the plumbing, you can always pour boiling water down the drain. 🙂
Hope that helps, Linda!
Big hugs to you Will and Susan!!
Ah, thanks for the big hug Helene!
We love you too! 🙂
I use a mixture of coconut oil and baking soda to reduce the amount of garbage I produce that goes into a landfill, as toothpaste tubes usually cannot be recycled.
Aloha Zach,
Thank you for your awareness about the amount of plastics we as a people produce. Truly, we are on an unsustainable path. You are correct that toothpaste tubes (and toothbrushes) both contribute to this problem. Please know that we are aware of this and are actively working on solutions to lower the impact our company has on our environment.
I used baking soda with my Sonicare. I felt that the combo was too abrasive and my teeth felt sensitive afterwards. So i didnt do it again. I have since purchased your new powder. I use it with your toothbrush. I don’t know for how long to brush, though., or how much powder to use. It didn’t cone with much instructional info.
Aloha Kathleen,
Thanks for stopping by to share your story!
Rather than suggest a specific time frame to brush with Shine, continue to gently brush until your teeth feel clean. ‘How long should I brush my teeth?’ discusses this.
Depending on your focus (remineralization or whitening), will determine how much powder to use. When using Shine to whiten teeth, it’s best to apply the dry power to your brush and only brush a few teeth at a time, then reapply your brush with Shine and brush a few more teeth. ‘How to Use Shine’ shares this and other strategies to use Shine to support your oral health.
Hope that helps, Kathleen!
My grandfather kept his own beautiful teeth into his nineties. Gran said the only thing he ever used to brush his teeth was baking soda.
I absolutely love brushing my teeth with baking soda, so much so that I was began to worry whether it would eventually cause damaged. I tried to justify using it even still, by using Pronamel tooth paste to combat any damage that the baking soda would cause. I brush my tongue first for a few seconds before I hit my teeth to lessen the amount of damage also.
Hello,can i just dip my brush with my regular toothpaste on it to the baking soda before brushing it?is it fine?
My best friend uses baking soda and hates toothpaste, and I am going to try baking soda today after reading this post along with the other comments has been helpful in my decision. Awesome post
I make my own toothpaste and mix baking soda with some sea salt , coconut oil and essential oils. Does using oils with fine baking soda still make it abbrasive to my teeth?
I have recently started using just baking soda to brush with and I also took my kids off of toothpaste. As a result, I no longer have morning breath and my daughter, age 4 used to have bad odor even after brushing, no longer has this problem. I do not want to cause harm to their teeth or mine; is there any recommendations for me?
I have a bone to pick with this article and especially with your illustration of tooth anatomy. Enamel covers the part of the tooth above the gums but cementum covers the roots. Cementum is almost as strong as enamel. So simply having gingival recession does not mean you are brushing dentin.
I would really appreciate it if you would correct this error. I think your website it fabulous and I would like to refer my patients here for information but I can’t do that if you publish incorrect information.
Thanks,
A degree-holding dental auxiliary
Aloha RC,
Thank you SO much for stopping by to add to the accuracy of our blog!! I will correct this error for sure!
We are honored that folks more knowledgeable than us come here to help us all learn more!
Thanks again!!
I am using baking soda for brushing my kids’ teeth, they are aged 2 and 5, is that okay especially for my 2-year old who does not know how to spit yet?
Thank you anyway for the article, it helps me understand about using baking soda and its abrasiveness.. My mom told me about being careful using it because it might destroy my kids’ enamel..
Hey is baking soda hydrogen peroxide mix safe on teeth?
Maintain the spectacular job !! Lovin’ it!
Hi Will,
After reading several quality articles of yours, I just wanted to drop in a comment thanking you for all this wonderful information.
Take care,
Alistair
A pinch of baking soda added to my cup of tea or coffee will change its ph!
My father always brushed with baking soda until one of his doctors told him that doing so raises sodium intake, and since he needed to cut down on this he stopped. I have always liked the sweet flavor of my mouth after brushing with baking soda, though, and figure if you rinse and spit really well and do not swallow the baking soda, it should be OK. Any thoughts? Thanks, Sara
Aloha Sara,
Thanks for asking.
I really don’t consider brushing with baking soda a big point of increased salt intake. I think you are right on with your thinking. 🙂
For a couple of years, I have used Dr. Bronner’s unscented castile soap instead of toothpaste. I do put some baking soda on a brush to brush the back of my lower front teeth, since tartar tends to build up there. I use Dr. Richard Schulze’s Tooth and Gum Formula mixed in distilled water as a mouthwash following the brushing. At night, before I go to bed, I use the OraWellness HealThy Mouth. So far so good.
Hello and thank you for this article. I actually use baking soda and sea salt in warm water to rinse my mouth after oil pulling. Do you know if the baking soda dissolved in this form is also antibacterial? I suspect that it is… Just wondering, and thanks for your great website!
Oops. That should say anti-microbial!
Oh and what about gums? I just read that baking soda can irritate gums. I do have to say that since I started brushing with baking soda (1 week ago) my gums have become more sensitive.
Some things that confuse me: you say baking soda is harmless to enamel (which to me suggests it can be used everyday) and then in some of the comments you advise to only use it now and then. Can you elaborate on this please? 🙂
Also, I thought that abrasiveness had to do with the size and sharpness of the grain (that’s why would never use salt!). Is this an issue?
Other than this I learned a lot from this article, thank you.
Since this is a bit confusing, what is the difference between Baking soda and Baking Powder (never heard of the latter) . And what is the “grout line” ?
So, is Baking Soda safe to use everyday? ( I brush 3 times and I’m a Senior)
Thanks a lot ,
Sincerely, Su
Aloha Su,
Thank you for reaching out to ask.
Baking powder is a mix baking soda and cream of tartar. We only encourage the use of baking soda in brushing. Yes, soda is safe to brush with provided you use a gentle hand. Be conscious while brushing to avoid over brushing.
We hope that helps!
I decided to try baking soda while I was being treated for cancer of the tongue. All of my “regular” toothpastes,
even the gentlest, burned my mouth, probably due to the mint flavoring. I have been using plain baking soda for a couple of weeks now, and find that it leaves my mouth feeling cleaner the any of the toothpastes I had tried. Thank you for the tip about switching sides when starting.
You’re welcome Amanda.
We are honored that you find benefit from our research and insight.
Is lemon juice/orange/lime (any acidic juices) bad for your teeth? Dentists have said it will wear down your enamel…):
Aloha Tiana,
Thanks for stopping by to ask.
Yeah, acidic liquids are hard on the teeth. We agree that over time acids make our enamel softer and more prone to DEmineralization (losing minerals from teeth is never a good thing).
So, the game if you are going to drink acidic liquids is to rinse the mouth with fresh water immediately after. That way, the acids aren’t allowed to sit on the teeth for time, which is what causes the damage. Also, it’s very important that you NOT brush immediately after any acidic drinks as the acids soften the enamel and make it more prone to be brushed off the teeth (yikes!).
We hope that helps!
Thanks for the article, do i just buy any baking soda that is used for bread or there is other special one for the teeth.Thanks for sharing with us.
Aloha Boi,
Any baking soda will work. There’s an internet myth that suggests that some baking sodas contain aluminum. This isn’t true. So, any baking soda will work. Thanks for stopping by here to ask!
I just wanted to share some experience I’ve witnessed with baking soda. My grandmother brushed her teeth 2 times a day and used baking soda every night that I can remember. When she passed at 82 she still had all of her real teeth, she didn’t have noticeable cavaties and her teeth weren’t terribly stained!
Huh, first you say the abrasiveness is not an issue, then you say you have to be careful to not use it too much because of the abrasiveness?
Thanks for coming to ask for clarification Jill.
I can see how that might be confusing!
It’s really a factor of how conscious we are when we brush. You see, we can cause damage to our teeth with ‘just’ a toothbrush if we scrub at the teeth too hard unconsciously. So, while baking soda isn’t too abrasive to use in the mouth, it does add some ‘grit’ to our brushing routine.
Therefore, the game is really to be conscious (pretty much the common goal of life, right? 🙂 )
Does that help clarify the point I was trying to make?
Thanks again!
That’s a good point that I don’t think about brushing my teeth while I’m doing it. I think I brush with a closed fist more often than not and that might be damaging my teeth. If that’s the case, baking soda might not be a good way to whiten my teeth. Next time I go to the dentist, I’ll just ask about the different professional options that I can go with to do that.
Do you think it is right to use baking soda daily (3 times a day) as toothpaste? theres no side effect?
Aloha Jest,
Thanks for asking.
Yeah, you can use baking soda everyday provided that you are brushing consciously. You see, baking soda does provide more abrasion to one’s brushing habits. So, if you brush consciously, no problem. But if you occasionally scrub your teeth unconsciously, the extra ‘grit’ can cause more damage.
So, as always, the game is to bring more awareness to what we are doing, in this case, brushing our teeth.
I hope this helps!
I have recently got porcelain veneers on my four front teeth – lovely ! but I am worried that using bicarb or “whitening” toothpaste will take the shine from them. Am I correct?
Aloha Pat,
Thank you for stopping by to ask. While we don’t know the specifics of all the various dental materials on the market, I think it’s wise for you to consider this prior to using any soda on your teeth. That said, I have a rather old white filling and soda hasn’t seemed to negatively impact it. However, like I stated, it’s decades old so is most likely a very different material than what it used these days.
Let us know how you decide to navigate this one so we can all learn from one another!
Thanks for this Article, Really Good Information.Even When I went to Consult Doctor he suggested me to prefer Baking, So from past One Month I am using Baking Soda.Really Good one.
Does Mixing baking soda with applecider vinegar work? Does it give a permanent solution?
how long must i use it to avoid its bad effect
I brush with a mixture of half baking soda and half sea salt with just enough water to form a paste. I switched from store bought toothpaste because I have breast cancer and am concerned about fluoride toxicity. My dentist asked me to bring in my homemade toothpaste next time I come it. I was wondering how effective baking soda is in whitening teeth? The manager at a health food store asked me about that and if baking soda would damage the enamel. My google search on that topic brought me to your page which I found very helpful. Thanks!
Aloha Charlotte,
Thanks for reaching out to us.
In our article titled, “What’s the Safest and Most Effective Abrasive for Naturally Whiter Teeth“, we discuss a term called “Relative Dentin Abrasivity”, or RDA for short.
On this scale, dental researchers have ranked lots of oral hygiene products to determine how abrasive they are. The scale goes from 0 (no abrasivity) to 269 (VERY high abrasivity).
We find that brushing with baking soda (which has a really low abrasivity of 7 on the RDA scale) is a safe way to gently polish the built up food and drink stains from our teeth, which makes the teeth appear whiter. As long as we are sure to brush very gently with it, baking soda should not damage the enamel. Our article, “How to Make Your Teeth Whiter (Without Destroying Your Enamel” explains more on this.
Also, if you reach a point when you feel you’d like to add more support to your oral hygiene routine (while still keeping your products natural), please feel free to check out our HealThy Mouth Blend.
We hope that helps!
Thank you and Aloha!
Thanks for the information! It seems like using baking soda can really have positive effects on oral health. You made a great point about how brushing consciously using baking soda is important because of how abrasive it is. Using it to support a healthy oral pH seems like a great benefit, so making sure that you don’t brush too hard seems like a great way to reap the benefits without doing damage to your teeth.
I basically like to simplify my daily routines. I have messed with making my own toothpastes, powders, mouthwashes, and it all stopped when I found and used the HealThy Mouth Blend. I love the taste and feel of these organic drops. Am totally satisfied with the result. I don’t think it can gat any better or simpler. Besides I learned a lot from the educational emails and from all the questions posed and answered. And… I emptied almost a whole shelf in my bathroom. 🙂
Aloha Raphaela,
Hehe, thank you so much for sharing your story with us here. We are honored to be part of simplifying your life! 🙂
Thank you and Aloha!
Italian oncologist Dr. Tullio Simoncini claims success using sodium bicarbonate against cancer and has used it for oral cancers. He cautions against regular use of baking soda because it is possible this will decrease or negate its effectiveness should it ever be needed to remove a cancer. It is his belief that cancer is a fungus, which is easily destroyed by sodium bicarbonate. His book, Cancer is a Fungus, is a very interesting read.
Aloha Maggie,
Fascinating stuff! Thanks for stopping by to share about this research. We have heard about the use of baking soda and cancer but had never heard to limit the use of soda in the mouth. Hmm, what to do… 🙂
Thanks again for stopping by to share.
This would also mean not using baking soda and water to treat an acid stomach in case later you wished to treat cancer of the larynx, esophageal or stomach cancer with sodium bicarbonate.
I have heavy tarter and plague how can I get rid of it at once. Thanks
Could you please consider adding Remineralization to your list of Blog Categories, so that people can sort according to this?
Thank you for the idea Beth. We are currently working on a site redesign and I have added your request to our list of redesign actions. Please feel free to reach out to us with any other ways we can improve the site for your ability to find the info you seek!
That’s good to know. For the redesign, perhaps you could add Remineralization/Healing Cavities for clarity. I would think that this is one of the main reasons people look for information on sites like this.
Keep up the great work!
Thanks for the supportive words Beth! We love this idea and I’ll pass it along to the folks helping us with the redesign. Keep the great ideas coming!! 🙂
I am on the hunt for an excellent toothpaste or tooth powder that meets these criteria:
– no fluoride (a toxin)
– no glycerin (blocks remineralization, leading to cavities over time)
– no bentonite or other clays (can contain aluminum, lead and other heavy metals, for which there are no safe levels according to many)
It sounds like baking soda has pros and cons, so I have to take this into consideration as well.
What do you think of EcoDent ExtraBrite tooth powder? The label says it is “Less Abrasive. Neutralizes Mouth Acids, Cleans teeth & freshens breath without fluoride.” It contains sodium bicarbonate (baking soda), tartaric acid, sodium methyl cocoyl taurate, calcium peroxide, dicalcium phosphate dihydrate, calcium carbonate, magnesium carbonate, sea salt, hydrated silica, mentha piperita (peppermint) oil, menthol, anethole, cyamopsis tetragonoloba (guar) gum, commiphora myrrha (myrrh) resin extract.
In your estimation, would this product be good for general brushing and remineralization? Would you suggest adding a drop or two of your Healthy Mouth Blend?
Aloha Beth,
We commend you for your hunt for a brushing paste/powder that matches your preferences. We know just how difficult that is! (we’ve been doing it for many years)
EcoDent’s products tend to be pretty good. While we aren’t fans of using hydrated silica (wet sand?) as it’s pretty abrasive, other than this, the ingredients seem pretty benign.
Yes, we do suggest using a drop or two of our Healthy Mouth Blend in addition to any paste/powder to provide the support of the blend as dry herbs in other products just don’t carry the same impact/benefit.
We hope that helps!
Thanks for the reply. One more thing I’ll be doing is to gently distribute the EcoDent powder around my mouth and give it 20 seconds to dissolve before brushing I normally do.
Can you remind me, does the Healthy Mouth Blend help with remineralization?
I was dismayed to be told by my holistic dentist that I’ve developed a cavity, which should not be happening on my low sugar, Weston Price type diet, so the culprit in my mind is the glycerin in the toothpaste I had been using which coats the teeth and blocks remineralization. Too bad it’s in so many toothpastes, including most of the ones at the health food store!
Aloha Beth,
Thank you for reaching out to us.
I hear you on how unfortunate it is that so many toothpastes (even the health food store ones) have so much glycerin in them.
Yes, our healthy mouth blend does support remineralization by stimulating saliva production. While the blend doesn’t directly help the remineralization process by providing more minerals in the saliva matrix, simply by stimulating an increase in saliva production, the blend does support the process.
Please holler with any other excellent questions!
The best dental professionals are the ones concern on the wellbeing of their patients and give a great deal of attention to aesthetics which is achieved by a harmony between healthyteeth, gums, and the face.
My toothpaste is mixture of baking soda and cocnut oil. I also add a few drops of Orawellness Mouth Blend. I use my own mouthwash as well: dissolved baking soda with tea tree and fennel EOs. I have been using this for weeks now and so far very happy with the results!
Sounds like you are heading in the right direction Eva!
Thanks for stopping by to share your experience with us all here.
I often mix baking soda with coconut oil to help buffer the abrasiveness. Coconut oil also has antimicrobial benefits. Sometimes I add the Healthy Mouth Blend to it. I have gum disease and have been getting good reports so far.
Aloha Lisa,
We are honored to be part of your healing path. It’s always nice to get ‘good reports’, isn’t it? 🙂
Wow, that’s an amazing coincidence…. I was just wondering the other day, in paswing, if I should be concerned that I always start in the same spot. Guess I know the answer now! Thanks as always.
Hehe, perfect timing huh Jennifer! 🙂 We appreciate the saying, ‘when the student is ready, the teacher (lesson) appears’. We are honored to have the lesson for you this time. Maybe next time you’ll be the teacher! 🙂
Appreciate this article, Wil and Sue. I guess it may behoove me to change from soley baking soda to homemade powder (h/t Wellness Mama). I learned a lot from the linked YouTube video showing the Bass technique. Thank you so much!
So glad to hear it Stephanie. Thanks for letting us know that the video was helpful!
I’ve been using mixture of baking soda (1 to 2 tablespoons), table salt (1 teaspoon), and a few drops of peppermint, orange, and thieves essential oil stirred up in a small container. I wet my toothbrush, dip it into the mixture and brush with an electric toothbrush alternating between starting top right, top left, bottom right, and bottom left. I generally brush before bed. Been doing this, as well as tooth pulling for a few years.
Sounds like you are heading in the right direction. Thanks for stopping by to share your thoughts on this.
I mix baking soda with hydrogen peroxide for extra germ killing and whitening power. Officially the 3% peroxide in the brown bottle at the drug store is twice the recommended 1.5-1.7%, but I use the 3% all the time with no problems.
Dan Strader, DDS
Aloha Dr Dan!
Thanks so much for sharing your experience here with us! You don’t find that the full strength 3% peroxide causes unnecessary wear and oxidation in the tooth tissue (resulting in sensitivity)? For others reading this, we only suggest using peroxide at a max dilution of 1.5% (so mix 3% peroxide 50/50 with water to make the MAX strength to use in the mouth. You can always dilute with more water.).
Thank you as always for stopping by to share your insight and experience with us!
I have used the 3% as a gel (mixed in some guar gum) in a customized mouth tray a couple times in one week. The first time for 30 min, the second time 40 min and then 15 and 10 min. After the second time I had significant sensitivity to cold. That’s why I limited the time and took 1 day of ‘rest’ in between. They’re not extremely sensitive now but still somewhat sensitive. Do you think this will go away? I will dilute it the next time, glad to come across this info. I don’t know if it would be harmful if swished for just 1-5 minutes as most people do, but better safe than sorry.
I have made the toothpaste in this recipe for years (it contains baking soda along with other ingredients), with very good results:
http://www.bulkherbstore.com/Bentonite-Clay-Toothpaste-Kit?utm_source=Bulk+Herb+Store+Newsletter&utm_campaign=106fcb111a-Bulk_Herb_Store_Newsletter_Issue_189&utm_medium=email
My teeth are whiter, feel cleaner, and I have good checkups at the dentist. When I found out about the OraWellness blend I began adding that to my toothpaste. Perfect blend for me.
Awesome Lisa! Thanks for sharing with us!
Would mixing some baking soda in water and using it as a mouthwash give the antimicrobial benefits of baking soda without the worry of enamel loss?
Aloha Laura,
We think this is an excellent idea so long as you don’t mind the slightly salty flavor of the baking soda. I see no reason to not give this a try.
Let us know how it works for you so we can all benefit.
It’s really worked I will continue with it twice a week
Very tru
aside from it being great to exfoliate 😉
I believe results should be based on those using it long term. Diet alone wreaks havoc on teeth and that is why, diet can reverse.
Baking soda can be bought aluminum free. It’s what I use to make my own toothpaste.
Yes I use baking soda when I brush my (usually twice a day). My mix is baking soda and coconut oil. I’ve tried aloe vera but still prefer the baking soda . Thank you Wil and Susan, I find your articles and products very helpful. 🙂
Thank you for letting us know that our articles and products are helping you along your path to optimal oral health Mirna!
It definitely sounds like you are heading in the right direction.
Aloha!
I have used baking soda off and on for years for brushing my teeth and have had good results. I am grateful for the conscious brushing information and the suggestion to rotate the starting point in the mouth you have suggested in this blog post….things I had not previously considered. Another combination that has worked well as a toothpaste for me during the warmer months of the year is to combine baking soda with coconut oil and peppermint or Thieves essential oils. Thank-you for always educating and moving us toward optimal health which we understand begins with our oral health!
Aloha Karen,
Thanks for stopping by to share your experience with us. We’re glad you found benefit from the strategies we shared in this article.
We are honored to help you navigate this path toward optimal oral health!
Thanks for this! I made the switch from toothpaste to Orawellness system about 2 months ago and it’s been great! Fresh mouth, thoroughly clean teeth etc! I did notice however, my teeth becoming somewhat dull and less white. I tried baking soda and hydrogen peroxide paste and in 2 days my teeth were shining and white again! ( I also resumed oil pulling too). A friend cautioned me that pure baking soda would be detrimental to my enamel however….so is tooth powder recommended over pure baking soda? How often and how much for either?
o
Aloha Rachel,
Thank you for stopping by to share your experience with us.
We hear from customers every so often asking about how to maintain shiny pearly whites. The issue is our healthy mouth blend contains no abrasives, so stains from food/drinks stack up and a couple months later, we want our pearly whites back. Coffee/tea/red wine are the most common culprits.
Yeah, pure baking soda is a bit strong by itself, but so long as you are brushing consciously and not using the soda everyday, we think it’s fine. A tooth powder is a wise choice as well. More on this soon. 🙂
Thanks again for stopping by to ask your excellent questions!
“Left at first light, right at night”
I made up one for rotating daily from top to bottom “odds on the botts”. I do this along with the one for right and left.
Cool article thanks! I enjoy my morning coffee and asked my dentist how to reduce staining naturally and they suggested baking soda. I must say it has worked wonders on reducing staining between cleanings and great to hear of all the other benefits. My routine is baking soda + electric toothbrush in the morning (the most time intensive) and orawellness brushing blend + bass toothbrush at night because it’s the quickest so I’m less likely to skip before bed.
Aloha Brian,
Thank you for stopping by to share your success routine with us! Sounds like you are definitely heading in the right direction!
Thank you for this.
Aloha Chase!
Great to hear from you!
You bet! I’m glad this article was helpful for you.
Thanks for stopping by! Aloha
Something I’ve never seen metioned in these baking soda discussions – how abrasive is it *after it dissolves in water*? Which it surely does, unless you’re using buckets of the stuff, before it gets near any dentine?
Aloha Hilary,
Thank you for reaching out to us here. I think your point is a good one. In our article, we do mention that the abrasiveness of any product we use in the mouth diminishes after 20 seconds. I’m sure this is true for baking soda as well. However, even wet baking soda still has that ‘grit’ feeling, so exercising our conscious awareness to not ‘scrub a grout line’ is still warranted. 🙂
We hope that helps!
Thank you!
Gracias por comentar usted. Estamos de acuerdo en que el bicarbonato de sodio es útil para blanquear los dientes de forma segura .
Lo que es importante es cepillar suavemente y con conocimiento consciente para evitar el esmalte dental.
Aloha!
Hi, so just a comment on the abrasiveness of baking soda. Baking soda, compared to most, if not all commercial toothpastes, is a lot lower abrasiveness. So for people with receding gums, it’s better to use baking soda than toothpastes.