How to whiten your teeth using bicarbonate of soda
Bicarbonate of soda can polish some surface stain, but it cannot bleach deep tooth colour and needs gentle, limited use.
The short answer
Bicarbonate of soda may make teeth look cleaner by removing some surface stain, but it does not bleach dentine and aggressive scrubbing can wear tooth surfaces or irritate gums.
What is the direct answer?
What does this question mean?
Bicarbonate of soda is a mildly abrasive alkaline powder. It acts on deposits outside enamel, while bleaching products use peroxide chemistry to change some internal colour molecules.
What can you do next?
Choose a fluoride toothpaste for daily brushing and use a soft brush with light pressure rather than making a strong powder paste. Professional cleaning removes calculus, and a dental whitening plan can address colour after the teeth and gums are examined.
When should you seek dental care?
Seek care for sensitivity, gum soreness, enamel chips, or stains that remain after cleaning. A dark spot, hole, or single discoloured tooth needs diagnosis before any whitening attempt.
What should you ask the dentist?
Ask whether the colour is stain, decay, fluorosis, trauma, or natural dentine, and whether enamel wear or gum recession is present. Ask which whitening material and concentration suit your examination findings.
Frequently asked questions
Can bicarbonate remove tartar?
No. Hardened calculus must be removed with dental instruments during professional cleaning.
Can it whiten fillings?
No. Resin and ceramic restorations do not bleach like natural tooth structure.