Is Brushing With Baking Soda Toothpaste Safe?

Baking soda is a cooking ingredient that’s commonly used to whiten teeth. When mixed with water, it turns into a paste that effectively removes teeth stains.

Brushing your teeth occasionally with do-it-yourself baking soda (also known as sodium bicarbonate) should be safe. However, you shouldn’t overdo it.

Baking soda is abrasive and can damage the enamel of your teeth. This can:

• Make your teeth more sensitive than usual
• Increase your risk for dental cavities
• Irritate your gums and lead to a receding gumline

Commercially available baking soda toothpastes offer a better alternative, mainly because they contain ingredients that can remineralize and strengthen your teeth.

In this article, we’ll tackle the benefits and potential side effects of using baking soda. We also rounded up the best baking soda toothpastes based on:

• Relative Dentin Abrasivity (RDA) ⁠— Must be less than 250
• Ingredients ⁠— Seeing what they can do for your teeth
• User reviews — We looked for consistent positive feedback

Benefits of Baking Soda Toothpaste

Here are the advantages of baking soda toothpastes:

• Naturally whitens teeth — Brightens your smile by gently scrubbing away surface stains caused by coffee, tea, or smoking
• Prevents plaque and gingivitis — Neutralizes the acids in your mouth, which promotes healthy gums and protects against enamel erosion
• Promotes overall oral health — You can choose from fluoride and fluoride-free toothpastes and other ingredients that are good for your smile
• Safe for everyday use — As long as you follow the instructions that come with your toothpaste, they should be safe to use
• Affordable and convenient — Budget-friendly way to whiten your teeth at home, plus they’re readily available in most stores

Side Effects of Baking Soda Toothpaste

Despite being relatively safe, baking soda toothpastes have a few drawbacks: 

• Enamel erosion — They can wear down tooth enamel, increasing your risk for staining and developing sensitive teeth
• Gum irritation — May irritate gums and lead to gum recession
• Limited whitening effects — They tend to produce subtle results
• Dental work damage — Can weaken the adhesives in dental appliances like braces and retainers, which may cause them to fail

3 Best Baking Soda Toothpastes of 2024

While many brands are on the market, some work better than others. The best baking soda toothpaste brands include:

Arm & Hammer AdvanceWhite Extreme Whitening

Best Overall

Relative Dentin Abrasivity: 47 (low abrasiveness)

The AdvanceWhite Extreme Whitening Toothpaste from Arm & Hammer combines baking soda with peroxide to give you a brighter smile.

This combination not only removes tough stains but also helps prevent new ones from forming. The added fluoride helps protect your teeth against cavities. While powerful, its formula is gentle enough for daily use.

Colgate Baking Soda & Peroxide Whitening Bubbles

Best Fluoride Toothpaste

Relative Dentin Abrasivity: 107 (medium abrasiveness)

Colgate’s Baking Soda & Peroxide Whitening Toothpaste can lighten your teeth beyond surface level. Besides removing plaque and teeth stains, it penetrates the enamel for significant whitening. It also has sodium monofluorophosphate so your teeth are better protected from cavities.

Tea Tree Therapy Toothpaste with Baking Soda

Best Fluoride-Free Alternative

Relative Dentin Abrasivity: Unknown

Tea Tree Therapy Toothpaste with Baking Soda has a unique blend of natural ingredients and distinctive flavor. The combination of tea tree oil (known for its antiseptic properties) and baking soda (a gentle abrasive) creates an effective yet gentle cleaning experience.

Its fluoride-free formula not only freshens breath but also effectively controls plaque and tartar. Its parsley and tea tree oil extract flavor provides a refreshing twist to your daily brushing routine.

How Often Should You Use Baking Soda Toothpaste? 

It’s important to use baking soda toothpaste in moderation. This will allow you to enjoy its benefits while avoiding the risks associated with it.

• General recommendation — Limit use to 1-2 times per week. This prevents enamel erosion and gum irritation.
• Daily use — While some suggest it’s safe to use every day, you should opt for baking soda toothpastes that contain fluoride for cavity protection.
• Teeth whitening — Use baking soda toothpaste daily for 1-2 weeks or as instructed. Reduce frequency to 1-2 times weekly after.

Remember, everyone's smiles are unique. You should ask your dentist and get personalized advice on how often you can use baking soda toothpastes.