The internet is full of weird and wonderful hacks for all sorts of things – and dental treatments are no exception. One of the most enduring how-to’s is ‘whitening teeth with baking soda and lemon juice’.
There are many articles and videos promising whiter teeth in minutes, at a fraction of the cost of professional teeth whitening. Most involve mixing baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) with lemon juice to form a paste that’s applied to teeth then brushed away.
But is this DIY technique safe? Well, sort of. Baking soda and lemon juice will whiten your teeth, but that doesn’t mean it’s safe.
The Science Behind Baking Soda and Lemon Juice for Teeth Whitening
Baking soda is abrasive, and lemon juice is acidic. Together, they form a destructive duo that corrodes tooth enamel. This will remove surface stains, but it will also damage the protective layer of your teeth in the process.
Enamel is there to defend your teeth, and once it’s gone, it’s gone forever. What’s more, when your enamel thins, your dentine begins to show through. Dentine is yellow, so your teeth could look more discolored than before. Without your enamel, you’ll be prone to problems such as sensitivity and tooth decay.
Baking soda is a mild abrasive and gently scrubs away surface stains to return teeth to a whiter shade. It’s also very alkaline (the opposite of acidic) so if you have a very acidic mouth or eat a lot of acidic food, it could help balance out the pH. It will also reduce the acidity of the lemon juice, which acts as a natural bleach of sorts.
Lemon juice has a citric acid which is a natural bleaching agent.
Many oral care products contain baking soda due to its antibacterial properties and its ability to remove plaque without eroding tooth enamel.
Combining baking soda and lemon juice should produce a more pH-neutral solution.
How to Use Lemon and Baking Soda to Whiten Teeth
To use baking soda with lemon juice, mix equal parts lemon juice and baking soda until a runny paste forms. Brush twice daily with this paste.
Here’s how to make a homemade whitening paste:
- 2 to 4 tablespoons of baking soda
- Suitable amounts of water or lemon juice to produce a paste
- A toothbrush with soft bristles
How to Make It: Add the necessary quantity of baking soda to a small dish or jar. Then, while stirring, gradually add lemon juice or water. The additional liquid will vary based on the amount of baking soda. Once the paste has reached the required consistency, generously apply it to your toothbrush and scrub for two to three minutes. Repeat the method several times a week or until the desired outcomes are attained.
To use baking soda and lemon juice, follow the steps below:
- Mix one tablespoon of lemon juice with one tablespoon of baking soda to make a paste.
- Put the paste on your toothbrush and gently massage your teeth in a circular motion for two minutes.
- Rinse mouth well.
- Do this every two to three months for best results.
For best results, brush your teeth with baking soda paste two to three times weekly. Overuse can cause enamel erosion, so moderation is essential.
The Risks of Using Baking Soda and Lemon Juice for Teeth Whitening
Using lemons to whiten teeth does work, although it can take some time before benefits are seen. Expecting the same outcomes as those achieved with ADA-approved teeth whitening strips or professional whitening is unrealistic. Lemon is terrible for your teeth, but you must use it frequently to see visible benefits quickly, often resulting in damaged enamel.
Lemon might be an effective at-home cure for recent stains for persons who wear dentures. It is not advised for fixed teeth.
It’s a myth that you can safely whiten teeth with lemon juice and baking soda. Unlike toothpaste, baking soda is abrasive and will wear away your tooth enamel over time. Likewise, lemon juice is too acidic to sit on the surface of your teeth.
Baking soda is an abrasive powder that removes the stains on teeth by scrubbing away the smooth, shiny enamel and making it rough. Lemon is acidic and therefore also erodes the surface of your teeth. Although your teeth may look whiter after using this method, it is not good for you. It will cause your teeth to become prone to stains due to the roughness of the enamel. Regular use of this will cause sensitivity and more serious problems.
Since lemons are highly acidic, it’s difficult to know how much baking soda is needed to cancel out the acidity of the lemon juice. There’s no evidence that baking soda completely neutralizes the acidity of lemon juice. It’s also very hard to know whether you have the right ratio of acid to base when making your own paste at home.
Safer Alternatives for Teeth Whitening
The dangers of doing-it-yourself far outweigh the benefits. You risk damaging your teeth and spending more time and money in the long run putting things right.
The safest way to whiten your teeth is to visit a dentist who can recommend either in-office whitening or a home whitening program which uses safe products, certified by reputed organizations such as the American Dental Association.
Consider home teeth whitening, which is both safe and effective. Your treatment will be supervised by a dental professional, and they’ll start by assessing your teeth and gums to make sure you’re a suitable candidate.
You’re much better off using fluoridated toothpaste approved by the American Dental Association to strengthen enamel and whiten teeth.
Keep surface stains at bay by brushing twice a day and flossing before bed. A visit to the hygienist is also a great, cost-effective way to keep your teeth sparkling clean and healthy.
To reap the dental benefits of baking soda, try brushing your teeth with a mixture containing 1 teaspoon of baking soda and 2 teaspoons of water. You can also look for a toothpaste that contains baking soda and hydrogen peroxide.
Baking soda can help brighten your smile, it often must be used consistently for long periods of time to yield results and is better suited for maintenance between more powerful whitening treatments to get powerful results.