Many people would like to make their teeth whiter than they currently are. There are a variety of approaches that people use to get this done. One of those is the use of baking soda (Sodium bicarbonate) to whiten teeth. While studies have shown that this compound has some whitening effects, it can also lead to some of these complications.
Weakens Your Enamel
Enamel is the hard outer covering that protects your teeth from infections and helps you to chew food. Given the fact that baking soda is very abrasive, people who use it to whiten their teeth often end up wearing down their enamel. The problem with this is that it then makes the affected teeth more susceptible to bacterial infection. This in turn leads to periodontal disease and many other complications that may arise.
Lacks Fluoride
Many people who use baking soda to whiten their teeth tend to use it as a toothpaste. The problem with this is that our teeth need fluoride in order to strengthen our enamel. Without this (and compounded by the abrasiveness of baking soda) you are likely to end up with weak enamel, opening you up to the risk of gum disease.
Excess Acidity
Many DIY approaches to whitening teeth often recommend the use of baking soda with lemon juice for the best effect. The problem with this combination is that while baking soda is alkaline (Ph of 5), lemon juice is very acidic with a Ph of about 2. This creates a problem because excess acidity will damage your teeth. While people argue that the alkaline baking soda will neutralize the acidity in the lemon juice, there is no proof that this is what happens. In any case, most people who use this approach rarely get the combination right.
There are other ways of whitening your teeth without dabbling with acids and sodium bicarbonate. Getting your teeth whitened professionally by a dentist is safe, effective, and durable.
Professional Teeth Whitening
For the best effects, get your teeth professionally whitened by a dentist. This is because you have the ability to determine even the shade of white that you want your teeth to have. Indeed, the dentist will start by taking note of your current shade and then you get to select how much whiter you want your teeth to be. A whitening solution is then placed on the teeth and then cured with laser light to activate the solution. Professional teeth whitening is fast and safe. On the other hand, using DIY approaches such as baking soda has minimal effects and can end up damaging your teeth.
Dr. Alex Rubinov is an experienced dental practitioner in New York. The practice offers a range of services including teeth whitening, smile makeovers, cosmetic dentistry, and orthodontics, to name but a few. Contact the team at (718) 253-0800 for an appointment.