Baking soda is a saliva buffer and neutralizes plaque acids, remember that it has a very alkaline pH of about 8 with 7 being neutral. Here are a handful of ways that baking soda can help with your teeth (I can tell you these things from personal experience, and of course not everyone is the same).
Baking Soda Toothpaste
My experience is that Baking Soda desensitizes sensitive teeth (but keep your mouth shut when it is -30 anyway) better than Sensodyne or whatever that high priced toothpaste is. AND it actually appears to repair enamel damage to the teeth from consuming acidic foods and drinks – coffee, tea, pop, alcohol, meats, acidic fruits, etc.
It is often recommended that you mix 1:1 baking soda and salt in a small container and dip your wet toothbrush in that and brush. Then just rinse with water. OR, you can create a little rinse of ½ t. of baking soda and ½ t. of salt in water, dip your brush in that as a less abrasive concoction and also rinse your mouth with it.
And if you scrub your tongue really good with baking soda, it may even open up whole new taste sensations, just sayin”…
For a toothbrush, use a SOFT brush or none at all. Oh my, no toothbrush?! Yes, especially if you have receding gums, just lick your finger, dip it into the baking soda, or baking soda and salt mixture, and gently scrub your teeth, gums and tongue. Then rinse vigorous with plain water.
As we get older, spaces open between our teeth (possibly bone loss) and this baking soda rinse is absolutely critical to keeping acid loving bacteria from attacking your teeth.
I truly believe in flossing!
Baking Soda Mouth Rinse
Baking soda deodorizes so you will have a clean, fresh mouth.
Dentures, false teeth, retainers or pretty much anything you put in your mouth can be cleaned by just putting 2 t. of baking soda in a small bowl of water and letting them sit for a few minutes then rinse thoroughly – wow, no more denture tablets!
You can also clean and whiten them if you brush them GENTLY, as false teeth are 10x softer than real teeth. Remember that baking soda deodorizes and cleans.
And talk about dentures, if you are having a hard time getting accustomed to the fit the old adage is to rinse your mouth several times a day with a teaspoon of salt in water to “toughen” them. If you rinse several times a day with a teaspoon of baking soda in water (it is very salty) it will not only toughen your gums, but keep sores from becoming infected, give you fresh breath, and keep cavities at bay.
How To Whiten Teeth With Baking Soda
Using baking soda to brush your teeth really can remove stains and make your teeth whiter. Give it just 3 days twice a day and you will see brighter white teeth! Honest! Try it!
How About Abscessed Teeth?
Lordy this even rivals severe back pain! Rinse several times a day with baking soda water and it may stop the infection or at least keep it in check enough for you to wait for the dentist to pull the tooth. BTW, abscessed teeth can kill you if the infection spreads to the brain, and they are in close proximity.
There is anecdotal evidence that a strong baking soda rinse helps to cure mouth cancers. But of course no drug company would make money from this, so no studies are performed.
Prepper Tip: Consider a ziplock baggy or unused prescription bottle of baking soda in your bug out bag or get home bag. Combine with a clean finger and some water to rinse and you have an inexpensive and effective toothpaste and mouthwash.
Watch Out for Oral Thrush (especially in infants)
Oral Thrush is a condition most often seen in infants, but it can present in children and adults as well. It is a fungus infection called candidiasis. It usually shows up on the roof of the mouth, but may also attack the tongue and gums. It usually looks like small white spots, but can present as larger, cottage cheese like puss bags.
Here is a simple baking soda mixture that can help:
- ¼ t. baking soda
- 1 cup water – mix well
- Add 1 drop of ivory dish soap or similar – the soap helps the baking soda to absorb into the skin.
- Mix well again.
For babies, pour the mix onto a clean cloth and gently dab it in the mouth on the puffy areas and the tongue 4 to 6 times a day until the thrush has cleared up. Critical to cure this in babies because they may refuse to eat due to the pain associated with oral thrush.
For older children and adults just rinse 4 to 6 times a day with this mix to relieve the pain and cure it. If you are brushing and rinsing with baking soda, no fear as you will never get mouth thrush.
I often dip my electric toothbrush (wet of course) in a box of baking soda that I keep in a plastic baggie, on a bathroom shelf and give my teeth a final brushing with it. I also take a cinnamon stick and give each tooth a good scrubbing on a regular basis. Makes ’em aweful shiney! (wifey here)
Thanks Wifey! I hadn’t heard of the cinnamon stick before, will have to try it! :)
For several years I brushed my teeth with baking soda and salt. I happened to mention it to my dentist. He was very upset and told me to stop, that I was ruining my enamel, that baking soda was too abrasive for enamel. Now, that is what HE said. I quit, but understand that many others still happily use baking soda to brush their teeth. I really liked how my teeth felt. He told me that if I just had to use baking soda to only use it once a week. Maybe I just have weak enamel. Maybe other people will never have this problem. I just thought I would add my two cents worth, probably what it is worth…lol.
My mother swore by baking soda & salt for her teeth, although I’ve never used it. I do use peroxide for abcesses and mouth sores. I’m happy with it, but the kids won’t use it because it leaves an aftertaste.
My dentist told me years ago that for bleeding gums, pour a teaspoon of Hydrogen Peroxide in cup of your hand. Then add a teaspoon of Baking Soda and dip your brush in it. Works great.
That is a wonderful tip, Texas Scout! Thank You!
Great post. Is there anyway you can provide a “print version” so I can print it out for my “survival binder” I am doing. I’m gathering articles of use to go to for a later time during a grid down crisis. Thanks.
Thanks Loretta, we are planning on it! :)