Baking soda and lemon juice have been touted as great natural, at-home teeth whiteners. But there's no reputable evidence that baking soda and lemon juice really work to whiten teeth, and lemon juice contains acids that could harm your enamel. If you want to brighten your smile, the safest and most effective way to do so is to see your dentist for a bleaching procedure or use one of the over-the-counter tooth whitening products sold in drugstores. Whether you want to have your teeth whitened professionally or you want do it yourself, talk to your dentist first to find out which product is best for you.
Baking soda and lemon juice are not a healthy way to whiten your teeth. Although the result may seem that your teeth are whiter you have actually eroded and abraded your teeth. Lemon juice is very acidic and will erode your teeth. Baking soda is very abrasive and will abrade your teeth. Together they can have a very destructive effect. Once enamel is lost, it is lost forever.
A healthier and more effective way to bleach your teeth is to do the in-office bleaching systems or the at home bleaching systems with bleaching trays. There is no way to know how much improvement you will get but you will see an improvement. Some over-the-counter whitening products can be effective if used as instructed.
A good way to keep your teeth white is to get your routine cleanings, minimize foods that can stain your teeth (coffee, tea, wine, soda, etc.) and don't smoke. Also, you can use whitening toothpaste and keep the slurry that forms from brushing in your mouth for about 5 minutes. If done consistently for a few weeks you will notice an improvement.
Baking soda and lemon juice are the equivalent of using Ajax on your bathtub. It gets out the stain but the abrasive nature only makes it easier for stains to return. A healthier way to whiten teeth is to reduce you consumption of acid promoting and corresponding stain producing foods such as refined carbohydrates and sugars. Also some foods can naturally whiten teeth such as those high in fiber such as apples, pears, celery and almonds. The fiber acts like "tiny toothbrushes" that scrub the surface of the teeth.
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Important: This content reflects information from various individuals and organizations and may offer alternative or opposing points of view. It should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. As always, you should consult with your healthcare provider about your specific health needs.