How to Clean Teeth with Baking Soda

Last Updated: October 5, 2021 References

Baking soda is a key ingredient in many dental products for a reason. According to The Journal of Clinical Dentistry, products that contain baking soda are up to 65% more efficient at cleaning and whitening teeth than alternatives that don’t contain any baking soda.^{[1]
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Trustworthy Source
PubMed Central
Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health
Go to source} All things considered, baking soda is an inexpensive way to whiten teeth, kill germs, and remove stains from teeth. Just keep in mind that purchasing regulated products is always going to be safer for your teeth than making a DIY concoction.^{[2]
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Method 1

Method 1 of 4:
Adding Baking Soda to Your Regular Toothpaste

1
Mix toothpaste and baking soda. In a small bowl, mix half a teaspoon of baking soda with the quantity of toothpaste that you normally apply to your toothbrush. Stir them together. Apply the mixture to your toothbrush.^{[3]
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2
Brush your teeth thoroughly. Brush your teeth thoroughly for two minutes, covering your entire mouth. Spit out excess toothpaste. Rinse your mouth out with water.^{[4]
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Expert Source

Alina Lane, DDS
Board Certified Dentist
Expert Interview. 21 April 2020.}
3
Buy a toothpaste that contains baking soda. As an alternative, purchase a toothpaste that already contains baking soda. Since baking soda has been used a teeth cleaner for over 150 years and is fairly inexpensive, it is present in may major toothpaste brands in different quantities. Opt for a toothpaste with a high concentration of baking soda (e.g. Arm and Hammer toothpaste).^{[5]
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Expert Source

Alina Lane, DDS
Board Certified Dentist
Expert Interview. 21 April 2020.}

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:
Making Your Own Toothpaste

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Mix together glycerin, peppermint oil, salt, and baking soda. Combine 3 tsp of vegetable glycerin with 3 drops of peppermint oil. Add half a tsp of salt with 5 tsp of baking soda. Stir the ingredients together thoroughly.
- Add more peppermint oil, as desired.
2
Apply to teeth. Cover your toothbrush with the homemade toothpaste. Brush teeth for two full minutes. Rinse thoroughly.
3
Store toothpaste. Purchase a squeezable plastic tube or bottle to store your homemade toothpaste in (e.g. travel bottles). Alternatively, store the toothpaste in a small jar with a lid. Use a small plastic spoon to apply toothpaste to your toothbrush, and avoid dipping your toothbrush into the jar (which could spread germs).^{[6]
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Make a Bentonite clay toothpaste. Another option for homemade toothpaste is a recipe that has Bentonite clay and baking soda as key ingredients. Combine the following ingredients and stir until mixed:^{[7]
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- 3/8 of a cup of soft coconut oil (not liquid)
- 1/4 cup of baking soda
- 1 tsp. Bentonite clay
- 1/2 teaspoon of salt
- 5-7 drops of peppermint essential oil

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:
Making a Baking Soda and Lemon Juice Paste

1
Mix together baking soda and lemon juice. In a small bowl, add 2–3 tablespoon (29.6–44.4 ml) of baking soda. Add lemon juice a few drops at a time, stirring until the mixture forms into a paste. The baking soda will act to remove surface stains while the lemon juice will whiten teeth.^{[8]
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Apply the paste. Wipe saliva off of your teeth with a paper towel. Apply the paste generously to dry teeth with a toothbrush and let it sit. Make sure it covers all of your teeth, and avoid swallowing any of the mixture.^{[9]
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Leave it on for one minute, then rinse. Let the paste sit on your teeth for one minute, timing it with your phone or a stopwatch. Rinse your mouth immediately to prevent the acidity of the lemon juice from harming your tooth enamel. Be sure that the paste is entirely removed from your teeth.^{[10]
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4
Use water instead of lemon juice as an alternative. As a milder alternative, use water to make the paste instead of lemon juice. Mix the paste the same way, using the same quantities of baking soda and liquid. Leave the paste on for three minutes instead of one as the milder mixture will not be acidic enough to harm enamel.^{[11]
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Method 4

Method 4 of 4:
Putting Together a Strawberry Tooth Scrub

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Mix the ingredients. Add 2-3 large strawberries (which break down plaque and remove surface stains) to a small bowl and mash them with a fork. Add 1/4 tsp of salt and 1 tsp of baking soda. Mix together thoroughly.^{[12]
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Apply the scrub. Put the strawberry scrub onto your toothbrush. Gently apply the mixture to all of your teeth, depositing it on the surface without brushing vigorously. Leave it on for 5-10 minutes before rinsing thoroughly with water.^{[13]
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Make a quicker version of this scrub. If you are in a hurry or simply want an alternative to this scrub, simply use a strawberry covering with baking soda on your teeth. Cut off the tip of a large strawberry and dip it in baking soda. Rub it over your teeth for extra stain fighting power.^{[14]
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