I read somewhere that brushing your teeth with baking soda will make them whiter - is it true?

:confused:

Yea, that's true. Pretty much every box of bakingsoda I have ever seen has instructions on how to use it for certain purposes, and whitening teeth is one of them.
I do that all the time. It fades mild stains you get from drinking coffee, wine, tea, etc.
I personally don't see a whole lot of difference, like it doesn't magically turn your teeth super white or anything... but it works slightly.

To brighten/whiten yellowish teeth, consider purchasing a Colgate or Remington-type bleaching gel. You can find them at a drug store in the $30 range. Yeah I know that sounds expensive but you get several applications and the teeth trays.

DH used this method to whiten his yellow teeth several shades before a wedding. He followed the instructions exactly (don't screw around!) and got good results.

Many years ago, when there were no whitening gels available over-the-counter, I got a custom-made tooth tray for whitening. I purchase my 15% bleaching gel from my dentist. I bleach 3-4 times a year.

I've tried the Colgate bleaching gel, and trust me, it makes about as much difference as baking soda.
It's definitely not worth $15 (I think that's how much it costs..maybe more, don't remember) in comparison to like a $2 box of baking soda. It produces the same results.

I don't know about other stuff, but the Colgate one is not worth buying, especially if you have sensitive teeth. I have an exposed nerve on one of my teeth, and putting that stuff on hurts like hell.
If you have mild stains you're much better off using baking soda and peroxide (if you can handle that).

...or if you wanna spend a lot than go for the Crest White Strips. I've personally never tried them, but A LOT of people say they're worth it.

Hello,

Baking soda will get off surface stains and will somewhat whiten your teeth. A better bet is mixing a little peroxide with the baking soda into a paste and then brush. This does work. I find the best for me is using Crest Strips, they truly work and I'm complimented on my teeth all the time. I used to hate wearing white blouses, because my teeth were not as bright as the blouse. Now they are!
Sheryl

One of these days I'm going to have to try the Crest strips. Pretty much everyone who's tried it (whom I've talked to) has said that they make a big difference...
But they do say not to use them as frequently as you "should" because they make teeth super senstive.
I'm still willing to try them though.

Thank you all for your replies! :)
I have quite sensitive teeth also, in which case which one is less harmful - Crest strips or soda? I've tried a bleaching gel (can't remember the brand) , it worked but my teeth were hurting afterwards.:confused:

Well, I'm one person who got no results from any of the strips...

Thank you all for your replies! :)
I have quite sensitive teeth also, in which case which one is less harmful - Crest strips or soda? I've tried a bleaching gel (can't remember the brand) , it worked but my teeth were hurting afterwards.:confused:
If your teeth are sensitive definitely go for baking soda. It doesn't hurt at all and it produces the same effects as whitening gels.
You don't want to make your teeth even more sensitive cuz that really is a huge pain to deal with.

Or, ask your dentist for a gel. I wonder if it's "purer" , i.e. is easier on sensitive teeth. My husband used the Rembrandt brand and saw good results. Good luck on this.

I used the Crest Strips and got no results, only pain from sensitive teeth.. I couldn't beleive how much they hurt!

I heard those Crest Whitestripes made you teeth sensitive. I'm glad for your comments about it before i went and bought it.
I use baking soda. While it tastes horrible....It works good. As other posts said, it doesn't make them super white. But it does seem to remove surface stains. It does make your teeth feel super clean. I love the way my teeth feel after using baking soda.
Give it a try. The box is usually under a dollar.

Thank you for your replies!:)

I have another question - how do you use it? Do you put it on top of toothpaste or use it plain on your toothbrush?

:confused:

My mom has used bakingsoda for years and still doing so after trying the strips etc...She feels nothing does the job better like bakingsoda...I have tried it and it does work but what an awlful taste...My mom put plain baking soda on her toothbrush with a little bit of water like you would do with your toothpaste..Then she does a really good brushing of her teeth but after that she does also brush with toothpaste...

I sprinkle some in a dish. wet my toothbrush and then dip my toothbrush in it. Just be warned...it really does taste terrible. I rinse really good then brush with toothpaste to get the taste out.

Yeah! My teeth are brighter already! Not completely white but I'm happy with the results!:blob_fire

I have used baking soda on my teeth since I was a little girl. I still use it on my teeth as well as my 2 year old daughter-every night!!! It does make a difference! I always get compliments on my teeth!!!

Hello,

Baking soda will get off surface stains and will somewhat whiten your teeth. A better bet is mixing a little peroxide with the baking soda into a paste and then brush. This does work. Sheryl

A quick question about the peroxide. Is it the hydrogen peroxide or something different? I would like to try it but don't want to use the wrong stuff.

It's just that 3% peroxide that you get for 50 cents a bottle, in the brown bottle. It's often used for rinsing the mouth with and you will even see directions on the bottle probably. You can make a paste with it and baking soda and brush lightly at first if you add peroxide to the brushing...it's actually good for your teeth and I've heard that it's great for fighting gum disease! It really does whiten your teeth too! Remember that if you use peroxide, don't have on your best blouse because it could bleach it if you drop it on your clothing.

A quick question about the peroxide. Is it the hydrogen peroxide or something different? I would like to try it but don't want to use the wrong stuff.
Yep, that's the stuff. It's good for teeth if you dilute it with water (that's what the directions say on the bottle).
You can mix it with baking soda and brush your teeth with that once or twice a week. I do it and definitely see a difference. For some reason baking soda on its own is a bit too harsh for me... it's been making the inside of my mouth peel or something (gross, I know).
But if you mix the two it works great for whitening teeth. You can also use peroxide alone, just make sure you dilute it if you have sensitive teeth since it does tend to hurt a bit if you have an exposed nerve or something.

That's awesome. Thanks. I have been using straight Baking Soda for awhile now and have found that my gums are getting sensitive. I'll try the peroxide and see what happens.

Again, thanks.

I am going to give the baking soda and peroxide a try. I have also heard that baking soda a few drops of lemon juice on the toothbrush works good as well, has anyone else heard this or tried it?

My dentist advised me not to use baking soda. He said it would wear off the enamel as it is very abrasive.

I've been using colgate tooth paste with baking soda and peroxide for almost a month and I haven't noticed a difference in the color of my teeth but I have been in alot of pain it burns my gums really bad. I tried plus whiteing toothpaste and rembrante gel and they work a little better than the baking soda but they leave your gums and mouth so sensitive and irrated the same with any bleaching product or procedure you have a pretty smile sometimes afterwards, but you be in alot of pain later because it breaks down your enaml and makes your teeth so sensitive!

My dentist advised me not to use baking soda. He said it would wear off the enamel as it is very abrasive.
That's why I've never tried this, it worries me a little. I just use Avon's two step whitening kit 3 times a week or every other week. Nothing dramatic at all, but it does make them whiter. And i've heard nothing but good things about the Crest Whitestrips, i'd like to give them a try too. :)