We strive to take care of our hygiene by bathing regularly, wearing neat and clean clothes and brushing our teeth twice a day with traditional toothpaste. Some of us, however, prefer a completely ‘natural’ lifestyle, in which case, regular toothpaste is not an option. When it comes to maintaining optimal oral hygiene, they prefer to use organic products and baking soda is one of the best options.
Is baking soda really that good for cleaning your teeth naturally or does it simply have a placebo effect? The effectiveness of baking soda is not just a myth. In this article, we explain why baking soda is a better alternative than traditional toothpaste.
Why Baking Soda is a Better Alternative
Over the years, baking soda has been used as a natural remedy to solve various health problems including stomach pain, digestive issues, bloating and gas, cough, and sore throat, etc. But it is only now that we have realized how effective baking soda is as a cleanser and exfoliator for skin, teeth, and even hair.
Since we have been leaning on organic products to cleanse our body, oral hygiene is something we don’t want to miss. And for a fact, baking soda has been found very effective in fighting bacteria that causes plaque, bad breath and other problems related to oral health. It is considered as one of the best ways to whiten teeth safely and naturally without harming them. However, some have claimed that baking soda may be too abrasive for the teeth and gums and may actually cause enamel (a protective coating on the teeth) to wear away faster.
However, we found that these claims have not been proven yet and are fragments of misinformation created to lure people away from using natural products. The RDA value (radioactive dentin abrasion) of baking soda is only 7, whereas toothpastes range from 30 to 200 in RDA, which counters these falsifications against baking soda and its abrasive properties. The RDA value determines how abrasive a product is for your teeth.
Why Toothpaste is Not the Best Choice
According to the Fluoride Action Network, fluoride is found in 95% of toothpaste in the United States alone. While fluoride is beneficial in strengthening your teeth and gums, the health risks outweigh its merits.
During a thorough research, we found 50 studies proving that fluoride intake reduces IQ levels in young students. On the other hand, the FDA now requires a poison warning label on every toothpaste product that contains fluoride because most children ingest toothpaste, due to their artificial flavor or using it without the supervision of an adult. This can lead to significant health risks such as dental fluorosis, acute fluoride toxicity, and in some cases, death.
Conclusion
While we’ve become accustomed to using toothpaste from renowned brands, it’s about time we move on to organic products which are not only safe to use but more potent and health-friendly in terms of thorough and completely natural teeth cleaning. However, some toothpastes use baking soda as an ingredient and are considered a good substitute. Call Kirkland dental office at (425) 822-0435 to know more about the right option for you.
