Baking soda makes a good teeth whitener. Specifically, it works by breaking down stains in your teeth caused by such things as dark sodas, wine, smoking, coffee, etc. Baking soda, also known as sodium bicarbonate, when dissolved in water gives off free radicals which penetrate the surface of your enamel, combining with the stains in your teeth, and breaking carbon double bonds, thus helping to remove the stains. So in effect, it whitens by getting rid of the stains, rather than many commercial whiteners which more or less just try to bleach your teeth white.
In order to brush your teeth with baking soda: - Just mix some baking soda in with a small amount of water to create a nice thick paste and brush it on to your teeth.
- Now let it sit for four or five minutes, then brush again and rinse.
** Warning: Don't brush regularly with pure baking soda as eventually it will wear down the enamel of your teeth.