Qhen it comes to whiter teeth, the baking soda It’s a DIY remedy that’s been known for a long time. Natural, cheap and easy to find, it continues to be one of the most talked about ingredients to get visually whiter teeth. But behind this promise of simplicity, there are risks that are often ignored, especially when the search for perfect whiteness surpasses attention to oral health.
Whitening teeth with bicarbonate: yes or no?
The baking soda It owes much of its popularity to its ability to optically make teeth whiter in a short time. His a slightly abrasive action would in fact help to remove surface stains left on the enamel by coffee, tea, smoke and red wine, immediately giving a brighter smile and a greater feeling of cleanliness and freshness.
But be careful, that white is only an illusion. It has in fact been demonstrated that baking soda doesn’t actually change the natural color of the tooth. The result is in fact temporary and purely aesthetic: a superficial cleaning that does not act deeply. The risk is to confuse this immediate sensation with an effective treatment by continuing to use it regularly.
The risks for enamel, gums and oral cavity
But what are the risks? The real problems emerge in the long term. In fact, dental enamel, despite being among the hardest and most resistant substances in our body, is neither infinite nor regenerable.
The frequent use of bicarbonate can in fact progressively thin itmaking teeth more fragile, porous and prone to staining more frequently. Added to this is also the problem of tooth sensitivity, one of the most common but least reported side effects.
The gums and oral cavity can also be affected by this do-it-yourself remedy. Bicarbonate can in fact irritate the gum tissues and alter the natural balance of the oral cavity, especially in those who have delicate gums or tend to suffer from inflammation. A detail that is anything but negligible, because a beautiful smile also comes from healthy gums.
Delicate alternatives for a white and bright smile
To keep your smile naturally bright, your beauty routine should start from one correct daily oral hygienechoosing toothpastes designed to maintain whiteness and formulated to respect the enamel.
Between the safest natural remedies for white teeth there are the rinse with water and lemon (very diluted) or with sage and mint infusionsuseful for the freshness of the oral cavity but to be used in moderation and without miraculous whitening expectations.
The real difference, however, is prevention: limit the consumption of pigmenting drinks such as tea and coffee, avoid smoking and regularly undergo professional hygiene sessions at the dentist they are beauty gestures that are often underestimated, but essential. For those who want a more evident and long-lasting result, professional whitening treatments remain the safest choicebecause they are personalized, controlled and respectful of the health of the smile.