Anyone use baking soda for brushing? (teeth, pulling, gums, hurt)

[Dallas Kitty]

I've been browsing for the best thing to use to keep the teeth white since it's becoming more difficult keeping real teeth as white as the crowns and bridges. I see a lot about baking soda. That reminds me that my mother brushed with baking soda all her life and never lost a tooth. She would occasionally add a little salt. Growing up all of us kids thought that was weird so we never tried it and all of us had cavities.

I used it last night after some reading and followed with a suggestion of rubbing the teeth with olive oil on a nubby cloth. My teeth felt ultra smooth like they do when the dentist does a cleaning but I don't know if that was from the baking soda or olive oil.

I think I will continue using it but I'm wondering if it should be every day, if it's really abrasive, etc. Any experience for yourself or family members?

[Submariner]

The assumption that baking soda is abrasive comes from industries that use dry baking soda as rouge [as abrasive].

Once baking soda gets wet it dissolves, becomes part of the liquid and is not longer abrasive particles.

What baking soda does is it changes pH. The water/saliva becomes extremely base. The bacteria in your mouth give off acids to break down food particles and tooth enamel. A strong base will instantly neutralize those acids, and chemically break-down much of the bacteria.

Changing pH is a common method of cleansing. Many of the bonds formed by stains are dependent on pH. Change the pH [for a moment] and scrub and the stuff floats loose.

I used baking soda for over 20 years as my only toothpaste. During that period of time I also saw a dentist every six months, and there was never any mention of enamel damage. Which was all a requirement of my career field.

Once I retired and left that career field, I switched over to using H2O2 as toothpaste. Which also works really well.

Most commercial toothpastes have a assortment of things that are not good for you. Including: sugar, flavorings, perfumes, dyes, even some have radioactive ingredients to allow them to claim that they add 'brightness'.

If all you want is to clean your teeth and remove bacteria, feel free to use baking soda or H2O2.

[Dallas Kitty]

That's what I was looking for - someone's excellent experience for a long time. Thanks for the ph detail, forest beekeeper.
Have a wonderful day!

Originally Posted by forest beekeeper

The assumption that baking soda is abrasive comes from industries that use dry baking soda as rouge [as abrasive].

Once baking soda gets wet it dissolves, becomes part of the liquid and is not longer abrasive particles.

What baking soda does is it changes pH. The water/saliva becomes extremely base. The bacteria in your mouth give off acids to break down food particles and tooth enamel. A strong base will instantly neutralize those acids, and chemically break-down much of the bacteria.

Changing pH is a common method of cleansing. Many of the bonds formed by stains are dependent on pH. Change the pH [for a moment] and scrub and the stuff floats loose.

I used baking soda for over 20 years as my only toothpaste. During that period of time I also saw a dentist every six months, and there was never any mention of enamel damage. Which was all a requirement of my career field.

Once I retired and left that career field, I switched over to using H2O2 as toothpaste. Which also works really well.

Most commercial toothpastes have a assortment of things that are not good for you. Including: sugar, flavorings, perfumes, dyes, even some have radioactive ingredients to allow them to claim that they add 'brightness'.

If all you want is to clean your teeth and remove bacteria, feel free to use baking soda or H2O2.

[toothdecay]

My teeth are turning yellow and saw one tooth having cavity and kinda hurting now. I do brush and use floss everyday so i don't know why i got cavity If i use baking soda will it help me get rid of the cavity?

[Submariner]

Originally Posted by toothdecay

My teeth are turning yellow and saw one tooth having cavity and kinda hurting now. I do brush and use floss everyday so i don't know why i got cavity If i use baking soda will it help me get rid of the cavity?

Natural 'perfect' teeth are not shiny white. Our culture has been programmed to desire shiny white teeth.

There may be things in your diet that are staining your teeth. Or you may have personal habits that are staining your teeth.

Brushing and flossing might be key in preventing cavities. But there are other factors also.

Some cavities come from bacteria eating your tooth enamel. Your diet plays a major role in feeding these bacteria. Other cavities may be from other sources [like heredity]. In theory brushing may break-up some of the bacteria and disturb them from eating your tooth enamel.

Quarterly or annual exposure to Fluoride may help to strengthen your tooth enamel, and may help to prevent further tooth enamel decay. However daily exposure to Fluoride weakens tooth enamel and your bones as well.

Brushing and flossing will not remove a cavity.

Brushing and flossing can not heal a cavity.

If you have a cavity, you should try to visit a dentist.

[jtur88]

I think baking soda has a reputation for yellowing your teeth. Nothing will undo a cavity. Besides convenience, commercial toothpaste offers a few additional advantages, as it often has additives (fluoride and anti-tartar ingredients) and it freshens your breath. Look on the bottom shelf, there is no need to pay more than a buck for a large size toothpaste, nor to use any more than a pea-sized dollop on your brush.

[Annie53]

I am 60.....and I have been brushing with baking soda since I was in my late 20's.

It helps keep your teeth and gums healthy......also keeps your teeth white......and this is coming from a coffee drinker and smoker.

My dentist has never said anything about any damage to the enamel on my teeth.

I brush first with baking soda.....then I brush again with toothpaste......get the benefits from both.

[Zelva]

I love baking soda - for brushing (and drinking).

Also, a friend said she's been using products by CariFree - and her dental health has improved and maintained noticeably.

[donald4u33]

I used baking soda and lemon juice mixture for brushing my teeth. I expected prolong teeth whitening effects but failed to get it. Then I decided to go for professional teeth whitening treatment.

[Pearl_White]

I brush every night with baking soda since 2012 and I can say that cavities can heal. I have several holes in my teeth that are completely enameled over. I have pictures.

6 mos ago my teeth were feeling sensitive & I noticed pinhole sized black pits and tiny black cracks in my molars. Also a dark yellow brown ugly color was present on certain teeth at the gumline and were sensitive to touch.

I realized I had started eating more sweets than normal & hadn't been taking my usual supplements.

I stepped up my game and those black pits are gone, as well as the sensitivity. The yellow is still there, but I learned it's exposed dentin, not decay, from gums receeding back.

I first cut out all sweets, then any beans/seeds (including flour- except white rice) except 1 cup morning coffee. Beans & seeds contain a substance in their hulls that binds minerals.

I increased eggs, meats, cheeses, yogurt, kefir, veggies, avocados, fish, oils, & animal fats. Cut out all sweets, & most starches except a small amount at meals. Cut out snacks. Flossed & brushed after every meal.

Did 1 mo of oil pulling.

Switched to rye bread occassionally.

Ordered MgCl flakes (added a flake to water); activated charcoal brushing; ghee & emu oil (for vit K) & added to them all diet.

I drank primarily bottled spring water with MgCl, calcium citrate powder, & MSM powder added.

Began taking usu vitamin regimine again, including Vit B12 melts & biotin chews for hair, skin, & nails.

The sensitivity went away in 3 wks & improved within days. The coconut/clove oil helped a lot with pain.

I treated the pain with coconut oil paste with tea tree essential oil or clove oil.

Now I've begun to get more slack & lazy on my diet & regimine again, but still brush with baking soda nightly & sometimes mornings. I still floss after every meal. Still no tooth sensitivity or black pits. All the black pits are gone.

I've never lost a tooth and had only 2 supposed cavities in my 20s which I still question if I really actually had those cavities in the first place bec that dentist was sketchy.

I suggest researching Weston A Price Foundation to learn about how to heal cavities if u have been conditioned to believe cavities can't heal. He was a dentist.

Good luck with your tooth pain! This is what worked for me.