Can brushing teeth with baking soda whiten them?

Baking soda toothpaste cannot achieve true teeth whitening. Its granules have an abrasive effect, removing only a small amount of surface stains; prolonged use can wear down tooth enamel. If you experience tooth sensitivity or notice scratches on the tooth surface, seek prompt dental evaluation.

Baking soda is an alkaline abrasive agent that removes some surface pigments through physical friction—offering only minimal, temporary improvement for extrinsic stains such as those caused by smoking or tea consumption. Once enamel is worn thin, the underlying dentin becomes exposed, causing teeth to appear yellow and increasing sensitivity to cold, heat, acidity, and sweetness. This enamel wear is irreversible and therefore unsuitable as a routine whitening method.

To address yellowing teeth: extrinsic discoloration can be managed with professional dental cleaning (scaling and polishing) to remove tartar and surface stains; intrinsic discoloration requires professional whitening treatments at a reputable dental clinic. Avoid long-term use of abrasive substances like baking soda or table salt for brushing, as they may damage the tooth’s outer structure.

Maintain daily proper oral hygiene—brush correctly, use dental floss to clean interdental spaces, limit intake of coffee and strong tea, and schedule regular dental check-ups to protect enamel and preserve overall dental health.