Baking soda

[Bonnie]

I have a friend who swears by baking soda for whitening. She dips her toothbrush in it before adding the toothpaste, and swears that it works better than any home whitening kit.

Does anyone know if this actually works, or if its even safe?

[Janesays]

I do the same. An old "home" remedy. Lots and lots of toothpaste actually have baking soda in them.

The best part about it, is you dont get the sensitivity that you get with other whitening gels and such.

[Zoso]

Hmm, I shouldn't think it would be able to achieve any real bleaching of the teeth. So I suspect it is just acting as a surface stain removed. Given it's known to be used, when made into a paste, as an abraisive, I'd tend to be a little cautious about using it too often on teeth, or at least see what your dentist has to say first, just in case it might, when used often, be overly abraisive.

[bradlystaton]

I am using salt with the paste but i dont find any big difference. I am planning to do same as your friend does but i have one doubt is it works and also how we feel when we do for first time.

[MsMichelle]

When I was younger my mom would use a tiny bit of baking soda on my toothbrush and then apply toothpaste. Now as an adult with braces I don't use it now, but I will go back to it when I get them off.

Good question, although I will ask my ortho when I see them if this is a good or bad idea