Mama to Many (Tennessee) on 06/14/2014:

I seem to have read in places that baking soda may be hard on the teeth. I asked my dentist his opinion of baking soda instead of toothpaste. He said that it is what people used to use and that he thinks it is a good thing to do. He said that he does not think it is too abrasive for the teeth. He also said that since cavities form in an acid environment and that the baking soda will create a more alkaline environment, that baking soda should be helpful in avoiding cavities.

My mother used baking soda and peroxide for years as her only "toothpaste" at the recommendation of her periodontist! Mom had problems with her teeth for years and worked hard to keep them. (She was in a car accident when she was 6 that seemed to affect her teeth her whole life.)

Perhaps some will find baking soda to not work well for them. I am not suggesting this is the best thing for everyone. It has just worked well for me and I thought my dentist's opinion made sense.

This is a pretty neat dentist, by the way. He is not a natural or biological dentist. He is in a very small town often serving the poor. By what he charges he is obviously not in this for the money. Though my children have had well water since we started going to him, he never suggests flouride for them. He seems to just want to help people keep their teeth healthy. He has really been a blessing to our family when we have needed dental help or advice.

~Mama to Many~