Can baking soda get rid of cavities?
By
Dr Shivam Jha
This blogpost will answer the question Can baking soda get rid of cavities? And will include the following topics:Is It Safe to Brush Your Teeth With Baking Soda?
Does baking soda work as a toothpaste?
Baking soda with toothpaste for teeth whitening
Remove plaque with baking soda
Can baking soda damage the tooth surface?
Avoid combining baking soda with lemon juice for whitening
What are the pros and cons?
How to use it to clean your teeth
Can you get rid of cavities at home?
Can baking soda get rid of cavities?
Yes, baking soda can help with early cavity treatment to some extent. Because baking soda is alkaline, it will neutralise oral acids and prevent added erosion. Baking soda will also aid in the remineralization of the enamel layer and the closing of micro gaps. To prevent the formation of cavities in the first place, however, there is no replacement for good dental hygiene and regular visits to the dentist.
Is It Safe to Brush Your Teeth With Baking Soda?
Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) is a chemical substance that has a variety of uses in the home. Its leavening characteristics help the dough to rise, therefore it may be found in cakes and breads. It is sometimes used to polish silverware and remove difficult stains. Sodium bicarbonate is now a common component in many toothpastes.
One advantageous dental application for sodium bicarbonate is the elimination of bad breath. The release of acid from meals remains trapped in your teeth, causing halitosis. Baking soda helps to regulate the pH levels in your tongue, which decreases odour. Another useful application for sodium bicarbonate is the treatment of painful mouth sores. The acids in your mouth can aggravate ulcers even more, while sodium bicarbonate neutralises acidity and relieves pain.
Because of its natural whitening characteristics and capacity to dissolve plaque, baking soda is commonly recommended for dental usage. Some people even wash their teeth with a solution of sodium bicarbonate and water instead of toothpaste.
Does baking soda work as a toothpaste?
Yes, baking soda is effective as a toothpaste. But baking soda does not provide the same level of cavity protection as fluoride toothpaste, it is still a wonderful cleaning agent for your teeth..
Baking soda toothpaste has been demonstrated to have antibacterial characteristics that can help protect your teeth from decay.
Baking soda with toothpaste for teeth whitening
Baking soda can be much more effective stain remover compared to substances that have a higher abrasivity.
One of the most popular and widely used home treatments for tooth whitening is a simple solution of sodium bicarbonate and water. Because of its mild abrasiveness, it is the ideal choice for eliminating stains visible on the surface of the teeth. Dental professionals sometimes advise consumers to combine soda with conventional fluoride toothpaste.
Patients who use chlorhexidine mouth rinses as part of their treatment for oral health problems can try this simple home cure. Baking soda aids in the removal of stains left on teeth as a result of chlorhexidine use.
However, bicarb may not be a viable option for treating older, more stubborn stains. It is not appropriate for people who wear braces or have a permanent retainer. For such people, the only choice is to have a professional cleaning and whitening operation done at the dentist’s office..
Remove plaque with baking soda
Plaque can build up on the tooth surface over time, combining with bacteria to create acids that begin to demineralize the enamel. By neutralising these acids, sodium bicarbonate prevents tooth decay. It remineralizes incipient carious lesions when coupled with fluoride in toothpaste.
Can baking soda damage the tooth surface?
Baking soda’s abrasiveness and its effect on the tooth surface have been a point of controversy for decades. According to research, the hardness of baking soda is lower than that of enamel or other abrasives such as calcium pyrophosphate, anhydrous dicalcium phosphate, calcium carbonate, and so on. As a result, even when used in minute quantities for oral care on a regular basis, it does not affect the enamel or dentin. As far as the toothpaste containing baking soda is concerned, their abrasivity depends on the hardness of the other materials used. The pressure applied by the tooth bristles also needs to be considered.
Several tests on common baking soda-containing dental care products have found them to be safe and low in abrasiveness.
Cleaning teeth with bicarb is completely safe if done every day for a week; however, using it twice a week or more may cause enamel damage. Furthermore, the user must ensure that the baking soda solution is evenly administered to all regions of the mouth and does not linger on the teeth for more than a minute. Above all, excessive cleaning is not recommended.
Avoid combining baking soda with lemon juice for whitening
Lemon juice, according to recent research, can harm tooth enamel. It can’t even be neutralised by mixing it with baking soda. As a result, using it to whiten your teeth is not recommended. Plaque may be removed effectively with just baking soda.
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What are the pros and cons?
Advantages
Reduces plaque and gingivitis
Bacterial colonies that adhere to the surface of your teeth,forming a layer of plaque which later on create issues such as gingivitis and cavities.
When you brush, grains of baking soda disrupt plaque, reducing the bacteria count and helping to prevent damage to your teeth and gums.
May reduce bacteria
It is considered that rinsing your mouth with a baking soda and water solution raises the pH level in your mouth, making it less acidic. As a result, brushing your teeth with baking soda may make it more difficult for cavity-causing germs to grow in your mouth.
Whitens teeth
Baking soda has natural whitening benefits and has been proved to be excellent in removing stains and brightening your smile. As a result, it’s a common component in many commercial toothpastes.
Several studies have demonstrated that baking soda is a moderate abrasive capable of removing spots from the outside of your teeth.
Is a fluoride-free option
Fluoride in excess can be dangerous, especially to children under the age of six. It is crucial to emphasise, however, that fluoride toxicity is uncommon, and the risks are only a worry when a substantial amount of fluoride is ingested.
Fluoride toxicity can result in headaches, vomiting, diarrhoea, renal issues, and cardiac problems. As a result, many individuals choose toothpaste that is devoid of fluoride and other toxins, such as baking soda.
Is inexpensive
Baking soda is affordable and readily available in nearly every drugstore, grocery store, etc.
Disadvantages
Unappealing taste and texture
The major disadvantage of brushing with raw baking soda or a baking soda paste for many people is that it doesn’t taste particularly pleasant. The texture of baking soda may also make you feel like you have sand in your mouth, which is not a pleasant experience.
Less dramatic whitening
Baking soda has a slight abrasive quality to it. Despite the fact that the American Dental Association (ADA) deems baking soda to be safe for your enamel and dentin, some studies have given it a low rating as a teeth whitener since it may not remove stains as efficiently as other treatments.
Lack of fluoride
Fluoride is found in toothpastes certified by the American Dental Association (ADA) to prevent dental cavities.
Although fluoride is a naturally occurring ingredient found in water and air, as well as in our bones and teeth, toothpaste with added fluoride gives an extra layer of protection against tooth decay.
You won’t get the topical fluoride that many commercial toothpastes provide if you only use baking soda as your toothpaste. As a result, just using baking soda may not be enough to keep your teeth cavity-free.
How to use it to clean your teeth
To brush your teeth with baking soda, you’ll need the following:
a toothbrush
a small bowl or shot glass
baking soda
water
Instructions
To begin, make a paste using equal parts baking soda and water in a small basin.
Brush in gentle circles with your toothbrush dipped in the soda mixture, making certain to cover each tooth completely.
Brush your teeth for about a minute.
Spit out the baking soda and rinse your mouth until your teeth are clear of grit and are shiny.
Can you get rid of cavities at home?
Cavities must be treated by a dentist.
Several home treatments, on the other hand, can help to strengthen tooth enamel in the pre-cavity stage. This is known as remineralizing, and it inhibits the formation of cavities.
Brushing the teeth twice daily with fluoride toothpaste is the best way to remineralize tooth enamel and prevent cavities.
However, some people prefer to use natural home remedies, rather than products containing fluoride. Some of these remedies include:
Oil pulling
Ayurveda, an ancient school of alternative treatment, is where oil pulling originated. It requires swishing a spoonful of sesame or coconut oil in the mouth for a specific amount of time before spitting it out.
While certain claims regarding oil pulling are unsupported by science, studies show that it can benefit dental health. According to a research, utilising sesame oil in the pulling method decreased plaque and germs in the mouth to the same level as mouthwash.
If oil pulling helps to remove plaque, it may aid in the remineralization of enamel and the prevention of cavities.
Aloe vera
Aloe vera tooth gel may help to combat cavity-causing bacteria. This gel’s antibacterial properties eliminate dangerous bacteria in the mouth.
Avoid phytic acid
Cereals and legumes, such as red kidney beans, contain phytic acid.
Because phytic acid can destroy tooth enamel, some people feel that eliminating it from their diet can help them avoid tooth decay and cavities.
Phytic acid is most commonly found in cereals and legumes, including the following:
maize
wheat
rice
rye
kidney beans
haricot beans
pinto beans
navy beans
blackeye beans
broad beans
Vitamin D
It is said that vitamin D supplements help to decrease incidence of dental cavities significantly. The vitamin may have a mineralizing effect, which helps to strengthen tooth enamel.
Avoid sugary foods and drinks
Consumption of sugar is among the leading causes of cavities. Sugar mixes with bacteria in the mouth and forms an acid, which wears down tooth enamel.
Eat licorice root
Antibacterial properties of licorice root may contribute to the treatment of cavities.
According to a study, the antibacterial capabilities of licorice root may target microorganisms that cause cavities.
Sugar-free gum
Some studies suggest that chewing sugar-free gum after meals reduces levels of bacteria that damages the enamel.
Having less of this bacteria can lead to stronger enamel that is better equipped to withstand decay.
Frequently asked questions (FAQS)
Does baking soda help cavities?
Yes, baking soda can help with cavities to some extent. Baking soda is a mild abrasive and has an alkaline nature which acts as a cleaning agent for the teeth and hence can help prevent cavities.
But once a cavity has happened, only a dental practitioner can treat it.
Can you make a cavity go away?
no , you cannot make a cavity go away. Only a dentist can treat tooth decay/cavity. You can only follow good oral practises to prevent cavities
How do you get rid of cavities naturally?
Cavities should be treated only by a dentist. However you can follow some tips to strengthen your enamel to prevent cavities such as: oil pulling, aloe vera ge, avoiding phytic acid, including vitamin D in your diet, brushing twice a say, eating licorice roots etc.
Can you naturally fix a cavity?
no , you cannot heal a cavity naturally. It has to be treated by a professional in any case.
How do you heal a cavity in 2 days?
The only way you can heal a cavity in 2 days is by visiting your dentist.
Other FAQs about Teeth Cavities that you may be interested in.
Can cavities go away if you brush them?
References :
- https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321259#can-you-get-rid-of-cavities-at-home
- https://www.trucaredentistry.com/blog/baking-soda-for-brushing/