The wonders of baking soda
Featured Products Promotional FeaturesPosted by: Dental Design 18th March 2022
Sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) is truly a powerhouse substance. This crystalline salt, found in nahcolite deposits, has proven itself to be a safe solution in a range of indications. Baking soda is inexpensive, eco-friendly and non-toxic, so it is no wonder that so many people use it in baking, cleaning and home-made remedies. The substance is also prevalent in dental hygiene products, from mouthwashes to toothpastes. Baking soda acts as a useful, natural aid to many oral health issues. Due to its availability, safety and minimal abrasivity, baking soda may be a viable option for patients seeking a beneficial addition to their oral health routine.
So, what are some of the benefits of baking soda?
Halitosis
Halitosis can be embarrassing for those affected, and have a detrimental effect on their quality of life. Halitosis can have a range of causes – from lifestyle habits, like smoking and consuming odorous foods, to oral issues such as gingivitis or poor oral hygiene.[i] This condition can be classified as: physiological, which is usually considered normal and brief. Pathological halitosis can be either intra- or extra- oral, caused by an oral or non-oral issue respectively. Psychogenic halitosis is the belief that you have halitosis, despite it not being confirmed.i
Halitosis can be managed by maintaining a vigorous oral health routine, as well as cutting out smoking, avoiding sugary foods and employing additional oral health methods, such as tongue cleaning. Due its reported antibacterial effects,[ii] baking soda could be employed to tackle halitosis, with research[iii] demonstrating that dentifrices containing baking soda helped reduce oral malodour. So, patients may consider incorporating baking soda into their oral health routine, whether in the form of a mouthwash or toothpaste, to combat this issue.
Staining
There are several compounds that can cause tooth staining: chromogens, tannins and acids, which all have dire effects on the tooth’s enamel. Chromogens are a chemical compound that give certain foods and drinks their vivid colour, such as blackberries, grapes and strawberries. These chemicals can adhere to the enamel, which can cause discoloration. Tannins, the plant-based compounds present in black tea and red wine, bind with proteins on the tooth surface, and form stains due to oxidation.[iv] The acids present in soft drinks can cause significant damage to the enamel,[v] such as yellowish discolouration.[vi]
Baking soda has an “intrinsic low-abrasive nature, because of its comparatively lower hardness in relation to enamel and dentin”.[vii] Baking soda is also compatible with fluoride, and can act as an acid-buffering agent. Therefore, it is a safe, cost-effective solution that can aid in the removal of stains.
Enamel demineralisation
Demineralisation can be the result of excessive sugar consumption, and can cause “white spot” lesions to form on the tooth surface. These white patches are the tell-tale signs of the early stages of tooth decay. Demineralisation can be caused by an excessively sugary diet, or can even develop following certain orthodontic treatment.[viii]
Researchers[ix] found that baking soda, in the form of an oral rinse, increased salivary pH above the threshold level, aiding in the prevention of demineralisation. Due to its tastelessness, lack of any side effects and general affordability, the researchers concluded that baking soda could be used in addition to good oral hygiene practices.
The ideal partner for good oral health
It goes without saying that oral health issues can be prevented with good oral hygiene, a balanced diet and regular check-ups with the dentist and/or dental hygienist and therapist. However, baking soda may help patients looking for that extra push.
Baking soda can be combined with a conventional oral health routine in a range of ways; it can be mixed in equal parts with water, and applied to the teeth as a paste. For an easier method, baking soda toothpaste can be used. Arm & Hammer™ has harnessed the natural wonders of baking soda, and infused them into the Arm & Hammer™ Enamel Pro Repair Toothpaste. Liquid Calcium helps to remineralise the teeth by filling in any cracks caused by erosion, whilst the baking soda gently cleans the teeth, helping to avoid plaque build-up and remove stains. For patients who desire a clean and bright smile, as well as optimal oral health, consider recommending the Arm & Hammer™ Advance White Pro Toothpaste.
Solutions for healthy, bright teeth do not always have to be complex to use, or cost the earth. Baking soda is one such solution, that is safe for everyday use and delivers dependable cleaning and cleansing.
For more information about the carefully formulated Arm & Hammer™ toothpaste range, please visit https://www.armandhammer.co.uk/ or email: ukenquiries@churchdwight.com
Arm & Hammer™ oral healthcare products now be purchased from Boots, Amazon and Superdrug, with further stockists following.
[i] National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Halitosis. Available online. https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/halitosis/. Accessed 11 Nov. 21.
[ii] National Library of Medicine. The use of sodium bicarbonate in oral hygiene products and practice. Available online. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12017930/. Accessed 12 Nov. 21.
[iii] National Library of Medicine Effects of baking-soda-containing dentifrices on moral malodour. Available online. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11524864/. Accessed 11 Nov. 21.
[iv] Ohio Link. Effects of metals and cetylpyridinium chloride on tannin-protein interactions: potential roles in extrinsic teeth stain formation. Available online. https://etd.ohiolink.edu/apexprod/rws_olink/r/1501/10?clear=10&p10_accession_num=miami1574705098076537. Accessed 12 Nov. 21.
[v] US National Library of Medicine. Dental erosion and severe tooth decay related to soft drinks: a case report and literature review. Available online. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2676420/. Accessed 12 Nov. 21.
[vi] ADA: Mouth Healthy. Erosion: what you eat and drink can impact teeth. Available online. https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/e/dietary-acids-and-your-teeth. Accessed 12 Nov. 21.
[vii] The Journal of the American Dental Association. Baking soda as an abrasive in toothpastes: mechanism of action and safety and effectiveness considerations. Available online. https://jada.ada.org/article/S0002-8177(17)30812-7/fulltext. Accessed 12 Nov. 21.
[viii] Science Direct. Enamel demineralisation following orthodontic treatment. Available online. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/0002941682905486. Accessed 12 Nov. 21.
[ix] US National Library of Medicine. The effect of sodium bicarbonate oral rinse on salivary pH and oral microflora: A prospective cohort study. Available online. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5773983/. Accessed 11 Nov. 21.
No Comments
No comments yet.
Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.
