If your teeth are looking fairly good but your smile isn't dazzling, then you may be trying home remedies to try to remove small stains and make your teeth whiter. You haven't seen much colour change so far, so you've decided to try a hydrogen peroxide and baking soda mix.
This involves mixing these two substances to make a homemade toothpaste. Is a hydrogen peroxide and baking soda paste worth a go, and is it safe?
The Benefits of Using Hydrogen Peroxide and Baking Soda
These two ingredients can both have some positive effects on the colour of teeth. They have some stain removal and whitening advantages.
For example, baking soda is a mild abrasive. When it is brushed onto the teeth in a paste, it gives you a slightly harder scrub than regular toothpaste. This extra oomph works on some stains and discolouration. So, it can technically make teeth look whiter.
Hydrogen peroxide is a bleach. The aim of adding this to a homemade toothpaste is to expose the teeth to a mild bleaching agent. Bleach is a core component of over-the-counter and professional whitening treatments. So, this part of the paste may give your teeth a whiter hue too.
The Disadvantages of Using Hydrogen Peroxide and Baking Soda
In principle, a hydrogen peroxide and baking soda paste can make your teeth whiter than regular brushing. However, you do need to be careful with the mix itself and how often you use it. If you see some small improvements when you first use this kind of paste, you may be tempted to make the paste stronger or to use it more often. This isn't necessarily a good idea.
Both of these materials can damage your teeth. For example, if you don't fully dissolve the baking soda, then it will be quite gritty. It may rub away tooth enamel as well as stains. As a bleach, hydrogen peroxide is a dangerous substance. If your teeth get too much exposure to it, you may end up with sensitive teeth and gums.
Also, while a hydrogen peroxide and baking soda mix may give you some colour improvement, it's not likely to give you a complete boost. To keep things safe, the hydrogen peroxide you buy from your pharmacy is a weak solution that may not have that great an impact on tooth colour.
To get a more effective treatment, make an appointment to see your dentist. They have an arsenal of tooth whitening options, from deep cleans to bleaching treatments, that will do a better job than a homemade paste.
Share4 February 2019
As a mother, I've seen my kids' faces light up after they've lost a tooth – oh, the excitement they feel about getting their grown up teeth! However, I've also seen my kids become extremely scared and anxious after having an adult tooth knocked out. If you're a mom or a dad with a busy kid, chances are you might see a tooth knocked out in a skateboarding accident or a sport pile-up. This blog is dedicated to those moments when you could lose your wits, and it's here to ensure you don't. I am collecting and curating the best information about kids and dental emergencies here so that you will have it when you need it. Best of luck with your kids' smiles!
