Baking Soda vs Toothpaste: Is Baking Soda Better Than Toothpaste?
Baking soda vs toothpaste - a comparison we see made all the time. You might assume that only hippies brush their teeth with baking soda instead of traditional toothpaste, but the truth is, this household staple does have its place in oral care.
Baking soda raises the mouth’s pH, scrubs surface stains, and lifts away light buildup with its fine, alkaline particles. On the other hand, traditional toothpaste tends to rely on ingredients like fluoride, detergents, and flavoring agents to handle daily cleaning.
So, is baking soda better than toothpaste? Really, the question is too broad when toothpaste ranges from basic drugstore pastes to advanced formulas backed by clinical research. Our gel toothpaste here at LIVFRESH is in a league of its own.
LIVFRESH relies on activated edathamil, an ingredient backed by 40 patents and 26 clinical studies. It can remove plaque up to 250% more effectively while improving gum health 190% more - all while supporting tooth remineralization.
Nothing compares to LIVFRESH’s plaque removal toothpaste. Order risk-free today and see why thousands of dental professionals have started recommending it to their patients!
“Just one of these small tubes lasted me 2.5 months brushing twice daily and my teeth stay smooth as glass. Unbelievable.” - Emmett
“My teeth are much cleaner and brighter after a few weeks’ regular use.” - Carol
“Love the way my mouth feels, fresh, smooth and clean! Definitely will continue to use LIVFRESH!!” - Ursula
Baking Soda vs Toothpaste at a Glance
|
Feature |
Baking Soda |
Traditional Toothpaste |
LIVFRESH Dental Gel |
|
Plaque Removal |
Helps with surface stains and light buildup. |
Scrubs surface plaque using abrasives and detergents. |
Breaks plaque’s bond to enamel for 250% better removal. |
|
Impact on Enamel |
Can be abrasive when used often or applied too aggressively. |
Varies by brand; many formulas contain abrasive particles. |
Non-abrasive formula, totally safe. |
|
Cleaning Tight Areas |
Limited reach due to powder texture. |
Handles open surfaces; struggles in narrow contacts. |
Gel moves into tight spots and around brackets easily. |
|
Gum Health |
No targeted gum-health support. |
Some support depending on fluoride and additives. |
Clinically shown to improve gum health by 190% in as little as 4 weeks. |
|
Mouthfeel & Taste |
Salty, gritty, not pleasant for most people. |
Minty, foamy, familiar brushing experience. |
Smooth gel with clean finish and long-lasting smoothness. |
|
Ingredients |
Single-ingredient household powder. |
Detergents, abrasives, thickeners, fluoride, flavor oils. |
Activated Edathamil + clean, edible ingredients. |
|
Safety for Dental Work |
Not ideal for veneers or implants due to abrasion. |
Can create wear on restorations over time. |
Gentle on veneers, implants, aligners, and braces. |
What Does Traditional Toothpaste ACTUALLY Do?
You’ve brushed your whole life with toothpaste, but have you ever stopped to ask what it’s actually doing for you? Cleaning your teeth is really broad. Let’s get more specific. Toothpaste is designed to clear away easy-to-reach plaque, freshen breath, and protect against cavities.
The abrasives do the heavy lifting by helping the brush scrub off surface-level buildup and stains. Detergents like SLS whip the paste into foam so it spreads around the mouth. That foam is mostly marketing, though - it does little to actually improve cleaning performance.
Most formulas use a blend of mild abrasives, detergents, humectants, fluoride, and stabilizers. There are alternatives to fluoride toothpaste, of course - like hydroxyapatite toothpaste. There’s also LIVFRESH, which uses activated edathamil (more on that later).
Toothpaste’s texture makes it predictable and easy to control. Unfortunately, it also limits how deeply active ingredients move into tighter spaces between teeth or around orthodontic hardware. The flavor oils and sweeteners give that classic minty “clean mouth” feel.
But despite feeling so familiar and being so readily available, traditional toothpaste falls short in more ways than one. That’s where the other half of our baking soda vs toothpaste comparison presents a compelling alternative…
How Does Baking Soda Work For Oral Hygiene?
Baking soda may sound like a crazy replacement for toothpaste, but it’s actually been used in oral care for generations. It’s easy to see the appeal: it’s accessible, cheap, and surprisingly offers its own unique oral health benefits.
It’s alkaline by nature, so it raises pH in the mouth. This makes it harder for acid-loving bacteria to thrive - translating to plaque control. The fine powder has an abrasive effect on teeth, too, which lifts surface stains and helps remove the outer layer of buildup.
Baking soda spreads more easily than people expect, too. It dissolves fast and reaches more contact points than a thick paste. It also creates a clean, fresh sensation by neutralizing odors instead of just masking them with mint oils. It addresses the root cause of bad breath.
There are limitations, though. Baking soda doesn’t have any fluoride, hydroxyapatite, or activated edathamil (only LIVFRESH has this patented ingredient). That means it does nothing to strengthen enamel or remineralize teeth. Even its plaque control properties are fairly mild compared to a more clinically proven solution.
More importantly, though, it can cause more harm than good. That same abrasive effect that helps clean teeth can wear on the enamel over time, leading to cavities and sensitivity.
So, is baking soda better than toothpaste - or is it the other way around? Let’s take a closer look at baking soda vs toothpaste side by side below to help you narrow it down.
Baking Soda vs Toothpaste: Side-by-Side Comparison
Now that you’ve seen how each one works on its own, it’s easier to break down the differences. Baking soda and traditional toothpaste can both support oral hygiene, but they do it in very different ways. Here’s what you need to know about toothpaste vs baking soda.
How Each Removes Plaque in Tight or Hard-to-Reach Areas
Plaque is the most common culprit behind oral health complications, from cavities to gingivitis. That’s why any comparison of baking soda vs toothpaste needs to start with addressing how well each handles plaque.
Baking soda dissolves quickly and spreads around the mouth, but it doesn’t cling to the tooth long enough to break down stubborn buildup. All of its cleaning power comes from the mild abrasive effect it has.
That means it works well on the surface, not so much on tighter contacts, deeper gumline pockets, or around orthodontic hardware. It just can’t work its way into these areas.
Traditional toothpaste has a fairly similar effect, though. The toothbrush and active ingredients work in synergy to eliminate plaque where your brush can reach. Again, though, you’re leaving behind more gunk than you may realize - because you can’t see it.
This is where many people notice recurring “problem spots” during dental cleanings. It’s why we took a totally different approach in designing LIVFRESH, which works where your brush can’t. It can eliminate plaque up to 250% better.
Impact on Enamel Over Time
You don’t want to cause more harm than good in your oral care regimen, but that’s exactly what happens with some toothpastes - and even baking soda for that matter.
Baking soda’s abrasive effect that helps it remove plaque and whiten teeth can be problematic depending on how aggressively you brush or how hard your toothbrush bristles are. The particles slowly but surely thin your enamel layer, especially near the gumline. This leads to sensitivity and other oral health concerns.
This risk is lower with traditional toothpaste, but it depends on the formula. Some pastes are gentle, while others use stronger abrasive blends designed for stain removal.
Effect on Gum Health
People don’t realize just how strong the connection between their toothpaste and gum health is. But it’s just as important for this baking soda vs toothpaste comparison.
Baking soda has no ingredients that support gum health directly. It can reduce odor by neutralizing acids, but it doesn’t address inflammation, bleeding, or deeper plaque buildup.
Traditional toothpastes might offer some benefit here depending on the formula. Fluoride strengthens enamel, and detergents help remove surface debris, which indirectly supports healthier gums.
But again, neither of these - baking soda OR toothpaste in the traditional sense - compares to how LIVFRESH improves gum health. It can stop bleeding gums in as little as four weeks. Our formula has been shown to improve gum health 190% more in clinical studies!
Daily Usability and Taste
You need to be consistent in your oral care habits, and this is where the enjoyment factor between toothpaste vs baking soda has to be considered. Otherwise, you won’t stick with your twice-a-day routine.
For a lot of people, this is the sticking point with baking soda. It’s salty and chalky - far from enjoyable. You’re more likely to skip that second brush of the day if you dread the taste of baking soda. It also doesn’t foam, which takes some getting used to for some people.
In contrast, traditional toothpaste is familiar and enjoyable. The mint oils, sweeteners, and thick texture create that familiar brushing experience. It’s simple to use, predictable, and easy to incorporate into any routine.
So, Is Baking Soda Better Than Toothpaste?
Where does that leave you in choosing between baking soda vs toothpaste? Is baking soda better than toothpaste? Or is it the other way around? It all depends!
Remember, toothpaste is a really broad term to describe a variety of formulas, be it fluoride vs fluoride-free toothpaste or even something radically different like we’ve come up with at LIVFRESH.
All that being said, toothpaste tends to be the smarter choice for most people when you consider plaque, gum health, enamel safety, and long-term use.
But not all toothpastes are made equal, which is probably clear to you by now. Don’t settle for less than the best in your oral health. Get LIVFRESH.
Upgrade to LIVFRESH Today For Better Oral Care
LIVFRESH is an oral-care upgrade without changing the routine you already follow. Our gel uses Activated Edathamil to break the bond that keeps plaque stuck to enamel, which means cleaner teeth, smoother surfaces, and healthier gums with the same two-minute brushing habit.
The formula is gentle on enamel, safe for dental work, and built from clean, edible ingredients. It’s protected by 40 patents, backed by 26 research studies, and endorsed by thousands of dentists. You can place your order with peace of mind, too, with a 30-day free trial.
Give your brushing a real performance boost with a gel that actually moves plaque out of the way - and prevents it from coming back!
Final Words on Toothpaste vs Baking Soda
We hope this baking soda vs toothpaste comparison has answered all the questions you came here with today. In closing, is baking soda better than toothpaste? It can certainly help with stains and odors, but it falls short in many other ways compared to traditional toothpaste.
You can learn more about hydroxyapatite vs fluoride toothpaste in our blog if you’re curious about which formula is better. But the truth is, your search for a Sensodyne alternative, Parodontax alternative, or anything in between ends here at LIVFRESH.
Our dental gel clears plaque better, supports tooth remineralization, and improves gum health all at the same time, thanks to a patented ingredient you won’t find in any other toothpaste on the market. Order now and upgrade your brushing routine!
