Is Baking Soda An Alternative To Toothpaste?

Baking soda is pretty amazing, and you can use this inexpensive product for a number of uses around the house. You are probably familiar with placing an open box in the fridge to remove odors, but did you know you can do the same thing for stinky feet and clothes? Taste of Home suggests putting a dash of baking soda in your shoes or in your clothes hamper to help curb unwelcome odors.

Other uses for baking soda are simple to make and use. Simply mix equal parts with corn starch to make dry shampoo. Because baking soda is alkaline, you can mix it with a little water to make a paste that takes the sting out of bug bites. If you mix ¼ teaspoon of baking soda in a glass of water, you have a natural antacid that can relieve heartburn (via Taste of Home). But is baking soda a good alternative to toothpaste?

You can definitely use baking soda as a replacement for toothpaste. In fact, it is present in several commercial brands. Healthline reports that baking soda is abrasive, which makes it excellent at removing plaque, gingivitis, and even stains from your teeth. The alkalinity of baking soda also reduces the pH in your mouth, which could result in less harmful bacteria.

Baking soda toothpaste is easy to make. Simply mix equal parts baking soda and water in a small bowl to make a paste, and dip your toothbrush in the mixture and brush as usual.

Using baking soda as toothpaste does have a few drawbacks, however. Baking soda as toothpaste has an extremely salty taste, and it has a gritty texture that some people may find unappealing. While it does whiten teeth, it doesn't work as effectively as over-the-counter whiteners. Finally, baking soda does not contain fluoride, which commercial toothpaste uses to prevent cavities.