Sodium bicarbonate to whiten teeth: does it work? Are there any risks?

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it is widely used to whiten teeth, removing stains and making them whiter and shinier, both in the professional field (at dental offices) and in the purely domestic one.

to be projected with a certain pressure on the tooth you want to treat. In addition to the surface abrasive action, useful for whitening the teeth, the jet also becomes useful for mechanically dispersing and removing the biofilm (plaque) from the dental surfaces. Of course, it is possible to modulate the abrasive action by varying the concentration of water and sodium bicarbonate , the intensity of the jet and its distance from the tooth surfaces.

so-called whiteners, useful for removing stains and imperfections from dental enamel.

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Furthermore, considering its wide use as an antacid against heartburn, its easy availability on the market has made baking soda a classic star of "do it yourself" tips - alas dispensed too lightly - to give whiteness and shine to the smile. .

Before analyzing the dangers and contraindications of these often reckless practices, let's see some examples of "DIY whitening recipes" in which baking soda plays a leading role:

• Squeeze a few drops from a lemon and drop them on a teaspoon of baking soda; pick up some substance with your index finger and rub it lightly on your teeth, like toothpaste.
• Place a spoonful of baking soda in a small glass and add a very small amount of water, stirring until a smooth paste is formed. Use this paste like a normal toothpaste.
• Wet the toothbrush and dip it in a heap of baking soda, taking care to cover all the bristles. Brush your teeth for two minutes, taking care to reach every single tooth.
• Often, the more conscientious "experts" add the recommendation to rinse the mouth thoroughly after use and to avoid prolonged use and too vigorous brushing of the teeth: by limiting the use to only one occasion per week, the chances that the "do it yourself" whitening treatment erodes the enamel putting the health of the teeth at risk.

Considering its traditional use as a whitening and polishing agent, linked to the abrasive action of the crystals that compose it, sodium bicarbonate appears to be a safe ingredient, as long as it is used in the right doses and in the correct manner of use.

The problems arise precisely from these points, since the "do-it-yourself" home whitening tends not to offer sufficient guarantees in terms of safety. Just think of the formulations that an inexperienced mind could give birth, albeit in good faith, due to knowledge summary on the topic, or to the excessive enthusiasm with which users could approach the treatment and end up using it too often.

unwelcome, especially when it is not compensated by flavor correctors.

Risk of creating superficial burns of the oral mucosa in case of inadequate dilution.

Excessive decrease in oral pH resulting from excessive and / or too frequent use of the product: although the acidity of the oral cavity is a known risk factor for the development of dental caries, an excessive increase in oral pH can also create damage, disturbing the normal bacterial flora of the mouth.

Bleeding of the gums: the abrasive action of sodium bicarbonate can damage not only the enamel and the underlying tissues, but also create microtrauma to the gum margin, causing bleeding.

Worsening of damage already present: one of the most important reasons why whitening treatments should be carried out only at the dental office or in any case under the supervision of a dentist, is the need to first ascertain the health of the teeth; For example, if a patient unaware of his condition uses sodium bicarbonate to whiten teeth that have exposed root cement and / or dentin, the abrasive effect of the substance will presumably lead to a significant worsening of the condition and an increase in dental sensitivity.

Increased dental sensitivity: consequent to the exposure of the dentin due to excessive abrasion of the enamel, but also to the abrasion of the cement often exposed in the neck area, ie between the tooth and the gum, due to the common phenomena of gingival retraction.

Risk of worsening the aesthetics of the smile: excessive wear of the enamel operated in an attempt to whiten the teeth with sodium bicarbonate ends up exposing the underlying dentin, which is generally yellow in color, subtracting shine from the smile.

Finally, given the possibility that the oral mucosa absorbs the sodium bicarbonate used to make teeth whiter, this practice could be contraindicated for patients who, for systemic health reasons, have acid-base balance disorders, such as hypertension, kidney failure, Addison's disease, Cushing's disease, metabolic alkalosis, low-sodium diet, certain medications (such as diuretics and steroids).