Brushing Teeth With Baking Soda
Brush gently with fluoride toothpaste, and use only a small amount of baking soda without scrubbing enamel or gums, as the page explains.
The short answer
Brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste; baking soda is not a substitute for fluoride and should not be scrubbed aggressively onto enamel or gums.
What is baking soda and how can it affect teeth?
Baking soda is sodium bicarbonate, a mildly abrasive alkaline powder. It can help loosen surface deposits, but vigorous powder brushing can increase wear at exposed dentine, fillings, or gum margins.
How should you brush your teeth safely each day?
For routine brushing, place a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste on a soft-bristled brush and clean each surface for about two minutes. If a dentist has approved baking soda for your situation, use a small amount, wet the brush, apply light pressure, and rinse without using it as a reason to skip fluoride.
When should you stop using baking soda and seek advice?
Stop if you develop abrasion, gum soreness, increased cold sensitivity, or persistent staining. A dentist should assess stains that do not brush away because they may be calculus, enamel changes, or decay.
What should you ask about stains, enamel wear, and fluoride?
Ask whether your stains are surface deposits, whether you have enamel wear or exposed roots, and which fluoride toothpaste suits your risk of decay.
Frequently asked questions
Does baking soda whiten teeth?
It can remove some surface deposits, but it does not reliably change the internal colour of a tooth.
Can I mix it with lemon juice?
Acidic lemon juice can soften enamel. Combining acid with abrasive brushing can increase surface wear.
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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.