Baking soda is a multi-purpose ingredient that has been in domestic use since ancient times. This alkaline chemical is also known as sodium bicarbonate or bicarbonate of soda. It’s a product that is easily available in supermarkets or corner stores, and very affordable.
Despite its name, baking soda has practical uses beyond baking and cooking. Due to its basic nature and pH of 9, it brings a range of versatility to household use. For example, you can use baking soda as a cleaning agent, deodorizer, for dental and body hygiene, and as a health supplement.
Baking soda can be used in various do-it-yourself recipes and cleaning hacks, making it a household hero. Here, at Life Without Plastic, it has been a popular and non-toxic plastic-free ingredient (no plastic packaging!) for household cleaning and various DIY soaps. Check out our DIY soap flake recipe booklet here if you haven’t already!
Baking Soda for all-round oral care
While visiting a dentist or buying over-the-counter products from the drug store might seem like obvious treatments, they come with financial and scheduling commitments. The affordability and simplicity of using baking soda for your dental care takes those limitations off your plate.
Here is how incorporating baking soda in your oral care routine can help:
Teeth whitening
There are various causes for tooth discoloration, which include plaque build-up, food and beverages, gut health, tobacco use, and medication. Most yellow and brown teeth stains are caused by regular consumption of coffee, tea, chocolates, red wine, dark sauces, as well as chewing tobacco and cigarettes. Baking soda helps to whiten your teeth by removing these surface stains from your teeth. It also reduces plaque build-up by reducing oral acidity.
Oral deodorizer
Bad breath, also known as halitosis, is a common oral hygiene problem among adults. Food containing sugars, proteins, and spices can leave acidic residue inside the mouth, and combined with insufficient brushing and flossing can cause bacterial build-up. Baking soda prevents bad breath by deodorizing the mouth, combatting growth of excess bacteria, and neutralizing oral acidity levels.
Preventing gingivitis and cavities
Plaque build-up can result in tooth decay, as well as swelling and sensitivity in gums – commonly known as gingivitis. It causes gums to bleed while brushing and flossing, also leading to bad breath. Unchecked plaque build-up can result in cavities and tooth decay requiring extensive dental treatments. Baking soda can prevent plaque build-up and deodorize the breath, while soothing swollen and sensitive gums.
Soothing mouth sores and ulcers
Mouth sores and ulcers can cause discomfort while eating, drinking, and talking. While these actions are inevitable, they also aggravate oral inflammation. Baking soda can soothe this discomfort, promote healing of sores, and control bacterial growth.
Ways to integrate baking soda in your daily oral care:
- Baking soda scrub – This is the easiest technique to use baking soda for your teeth. Simply dip your toothbrush in baking soda, just enough to coat the bristles, brush your teeth gently in a circular motion, and rinse them off. You can choose to do this before or after brushing your teeth with toothpaste.
- DIY baking soda toothpaste – You can also make your own baking soda toothpaste. Mix baking soda with equal parts of water, along with a few drops of coconut oil to make a thick paste. For a fresh flavor, you can add a few drops of peppermint or spearmint oil to the paste.
- DIY baking soda mouthwash – Mix 1/4 teaspoon baking soda, a pinch of salt, and 1 cup of warm water. Gargle with this mouthwash for 30 seconds, followed by a cool water rinse.
Add baking soda to your daily dental routine with our new Plastic-free Oral Care Kit – Baking Soda in Tin Container!
As with most things, overbrushing your teeth with baking soda can strip the enamel off, causing them to weaken over time. For optimum results, a combination of a fluoride-based toothpaste and baking soda are recommended for daily oral care as baking soda alone is not an adequate replacement for overall dental health.
Baking soda is a remedy for superficial dental hygiene, and not a replacement for regular dental check-ups. If your oral or dental problems persist, please visit a dentist as there may be an underlying cause behind them.
By Richa Agarwal
Resources:
- Baking soda dentifrices and oral health – https://jada.ada.org/article/S0002-8177(17)30822-X/fulltext#secsectitle0030
- How Baking Soda Can Keep Your Mouth and Teeth Healthy – https://www.dynamicdentalinc.com/blog/how-baking-soda-can-keep-your-mouth-and-teeth-healthy
- Baking Soda: The Secret to At-Home Dental Care – San Diego Dentists – https://www.thedentalexpress.com/dental-blog/baking-soda-the-secret-to-at-home-dental-care/