Today, most people lead lifestyles that involve the frequent intake of caffeinated drinks containing food colorings that can severely stain one’s teeth. Additionally, the harmful chemicals in smoking, such as nicotine and tar, can lead to the yellowing of teeth over time. Nevertheless, we still strive to have a beautiful and sparkly smile. Many people try various whitening treatments at home before they visit the dentist. Lemon juice and baking soda are two ingredients that are often combined together for this very purpose. But the question is this: do they even work?

Can You Use Lemon Juice and Baking Soda as a Teeth Whitener?

They have been in use for years by people who attempt to whiten their teeth at home after reading blogs and articles that provide "natural" alternatives to whiten one's teeth.

However, when this question was posed to experts in the field, such as dentists and even the American Dental Association, they advised against the use of lemon juice and baking soda to whiten teeth. In fact, they have not whitened your teeth but harmed them even more. This is because lemon juice is very acidic in nature–the pH goes down to almost 2, which is the same as that of drinks like Coke! Furthermore, applying baking soda is the equivalent of rubbing any kind of abrasive on your teeth.

If they are used together, they can have an extremely destructive effect and wear away the enamel. The acid also wears out the teeth and makes them so week that they are considerably more likely to decay in the future. Also, using lemon juice and baking soda regularly can increase the sensitivity of your teeth. You might experience more discomfort when eating or drinking extremely hot or cold food or drinks.

Safe Ways to Whiten Your Teeth

There are a number of healthy alternatives that you can try.

1. Whitening Toothpaste

This is a good option for those who cannot afford professional whitening. Whitening toothpastes are easily accessible and can be procured from local supermarkets or pharmacies. When purchasing whitening toothpaste, watch out for the list of ingredients on their packages. Some kinds of toothpaste contain a chemical that is known as blue covarine. It attaches itself to the teeth and makes them look whiter than they actually are thanks to an optical illusion.

2. Whitening Trays

They are easily available at most pharmacies and supermarkets. If you buy a whitening tray from the store, you will probably have to adjust the tray to the shape of your mouth yourself since they usually come in one size. Another option is to get such a whitening tray from your dentist, although these are probably going to be more expensive.

Before you use a whitening tray, make sure you thoroughly brush your teeth and floss properly. Next, make sure that the tray is completely dry. Squeeze a small amount of peroxide gel into the tray and press it into your mouth. The time duration for which you should keep these trays in your mouth depends mainly on the concentration of the gel you are using.

3. Whitening Strips

Whitening strips can also be used on a daily basis to give teeth a whiter appearance. These are usually available at the supermarket or drugstore and contain instructions on how they are to be used. While selecting the strips, pay attention to an ingredient called chlorine dioxide which does harm to your enamel. You can use most of the strips for about thirty minutes and twice a day. Keep good oral hygiene before applying whitening strips and rinse your mouth after removing it.

Where Else Can I Use Lemon Juice and Baking Soda?

Instead of using them for whitening your teeth, there are numerous other uses that they can be put to.

1. Digestion

Mixing lemon juice and baking soda can provide you with an excellent mixture to keep your digestive system healthy. It prevents flatulence since it is an anti-acid. It can also overcome acid reflux which takes place when hydrochloric acid from the stomach goes into the esophagus.

2. Alkalizing

This mixture can be used to alkalize the body and fight acidosis, a condition in which excess acid is contained in the body as a result of malfunctioning kidneys. It also burns fat and removes toxins.

3. Purification

A mixture of lemon juice and baking soda can also be used to purify the liver. This is because they contain the required amount of antioxidants, potassium and vitamin C that the body needs on a daily basis. For a better result, one needs to take this mixture on an empty stomach, such as early in the morning.

4. Regulation

This mixture of lemon juice and baking soda also controls the level of bad cholesterol in the body and improves an individual’s cardiovascular health.