Is it safe to whiten teeth with baking soda and lemon juice?

The internet is full of weird and wonderful hacks for all sorts of things – and dental treatments are no exception. Dentists spend at least five years learning how to care for your teeth and gums, meanwhile you can teach yourself to repair a filling or even straighten your teeth in minutes (it probably goes without saying this isn’t recommended). The most enduring how-to, however, must be ‘whitening teeth with baking soda and lemon juice’.

There are hundreds of articles and videos promising whiter teeth in minutes – at a fraction of the cost of professional teeth whitening. Most involve mixing baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) with lemon juice to form a paste that’s applied to teeth then brushed away.

With so many recommending this natural teeth whitening remedy – and showing off their own dramatic results, is there something to this DIY technique? Well, sort of. Baking soda and lemon juice will whiten your teeth, but that doesn’t mean it’s safe.

How baking soda and lemon juice whiten teeth

Baking soda is abrasive and lemon juice is acidic. Together they form a destructive duo that corrodes tooth enamel. This will undoubtedly remove surface stains, but it will also damage the protective layer of your teeth in the process.

Enamel is there to defend your teeth and once it’s gone, it’s gone forever. What’s more when your enamel thins your dentine begins to show through. Dentine is yellow, so your teeth could look more discoloured than before. Worse still, without your enamel you’ll be prone to problems such as sensitivity and tooth decay.

Safer ways to whiten your teeth

We appreciate that dental treatment can be expensive and DIY solutions may seem tempting. The dangers of doing-it-yourself, however, far outweigh the benefits. You risk damaging your teeth and spending more time and money in the long-run putting things right.

At Sensu, we offer home teeth whitening, which is both safe and effective. Your treatment will be supervised by a dental professional and we’ll start by assessing your teeth and gums to make sure
you’re a suitable candidate.

If professional teeth whitening isn’t within your budget, keep surface stains at bay by brushing twice a day and flossing before bed. A visit to the hygienist is also a great, cost effective way to keep your teeth sparkling clean and healthy.

To arrange a free consultation for professional teeth whitening, contact our friendly team.