How to whiten your teeth using bicarbonate of soda
Bicarbonate of soda can polish some surface stain, but it cannot bleach deep tooth colour and needs gentle, limited use.
The short answer
Bicarbonate of soda may make teeth look cleaner by removing some surface stain, but it does not bleach dentine and aggressive scrubbing can wear tooth surfaces or irritate gums.
Why can an alkaline abrasive powder change how teeth look?
Bicarbonate of soda is a mildly abrasive alkaline powder. It acts on deposits outside enamel, while bleaching products use peroxide chemistry to change some internal colour molecules.
How should you clean teeth while avoiding excessive abrasion?
Choose a fluoride toothpaste for daily brushing and use a soft brush with light pressure rather than making a strong powder paste. Professional cleaning removes calculus, and a dental whitening plan can address colour after the teeth and gums are examined.
When should sensitivity or gum soreness be assessed?
Seek care for sensitivity, gum soreness, enamel chips, or stains that remain after cleaning. A dark spot, hole, or single discoloured tooth needs diagnosis before any whitening attempt.
What should you ask about the cause of tooth colour changes?
Ask whether the colour is stain, decay, fluorosis, trauma, or natural dentine, and whether enamel wear or gum recession is present. Ask which whitening material and concentration suit your examination findings.
Frequently asked questions
Can bicarbonate remove tartar?
No. Hardened calculus must be removed with dental instruments during professional cleaning.
Can it whiten fillings?
No. Resin and ceramic restorations do not bleach like natural tooth structure.
Who wrote this page
This library is published by Dental Nation, a licensed dental group practising in the United Arab Emirates. Pages are written and overseen by the same clinical team that treats patients in our clinics, and are held to a fixed editorial standard for safety and accuracy.
This page is patient education, not medical advice, and cannot replace an examination. Anything urgent — facial swelling, trauma, uncontrolled bleeding or severe pain — needs a dentist or emergency care now.