How to whiten your teeth with this common household item

Since the early 1800s, baking soda has been among one of the most kept household items for cooking, cleaning and deodorizing. Growing up, you may have seen an orange, torn open box of Arm & Hammer stored with your parents cleaning supplies. However, some millennials may be shocked to know that baking soda can also be used for teeth whitening.

For generations, baking soda was looked at as a home remedy for those who wanted to make their teeth brighter in an inexpensive way. Baking soda functions as a teeth whitener in two ways. According to smilebrilliant.com, the abrasiveness in baking soda removes built-up plaque on your teeth – and the alkaline powder in baking soda helps removes stains.

A few of the at-home remedies for whitening teeth were to mix baking soda with vinegar, lemon juice or sometimes salt. Although, too much acid can irritate your gums, so it is not recommended. For best results, mix the baking soda with water until it forms a paste, then brush for two minutes.

Now, baking soda doesn’t serve as a substitute for regular toothpaste. Regular toothpaste is still needed to kill bacteria and reduce the risk of cavities. After you’ve brushed with baking soda for two minutes, it is important to follow that with your normal routine by brushing with toothpaste.

Additionally, if you’re thinking of giving brushing with baking soda a try, you may want to brace yourself for the uncomfortable feeling and taste. The baking soda paste will form a gritty texture and it’s not the most flavorsome taste. “I’ve been using baking soda since I was a kid. It does have a unique taste, but it works and it whitens, so I don’t mind,” said Maurice Ross.

According to the Journal of Clinical Dentistry, brushing with baking soda products has proven to be more effective than using products that don’t contain baking soda. In fact, as of today, there are many toothpaste manufacturers that incorporate baking soda into their formula. After decades of only producing baking soda, Arm & Hammer officially launched their toothpaste line in the 1970s.