“if you use it too often, it can start to wear down enamel, especially if you already brush hard or have sensitive teeth.”
Curious—did you ever actually notice sensitivity after using baking soda, or was it just what your dentist warned you about? I’ve seen people go years with no issues, but then others get super sensitive teeth pretty quick. I do agree about the coconut oil thing though... I’ve yet to see anyone get real whitening from that. Sometimes I wonder if the placebo effect plays a role—like, if your mouth feels cleaner, maybe you just think your teeth look whiter?
I actually tried baking soda once because TikTok made it look so easy, but honestly, my teeth felt tingly and weird after a few days. I freaked out and stopped. Maybe I brushed too hard? My dentist basically side-eyed me when I mentioned it. Never noticed much difference with coconut oil either... my teeth just felt slick, not whiter. Maybe it’s all in our heads.
Baking soda is one of those things that gets hyped up a lot online, but I get what you mean about the weird tingly feeling. I tried it for like a week (not every day, just here and there) and my gums got kind of sensitive. I read somewhere that baking soda is abrasive, so if you brush too hard or too often, it can definitely make your teeth and gums feel off. I don’t think it’s supposed to be a daily thing, more like an occasional touch-up? But honestly, the anxiety about possibly damaging my enamel made me stop.
Coconut oil pulling is another one I was curious about. I did it for a few days, but all I noticed was my mouth felt… slick, like you said. No noticeable whitening, and it was kind of a hassle to swish oil around for 15 minutes. I kept wondering if I was missing something, since some people swear by it. Maybe it’s more about overall oral health than actual whitening? I’ve seen claims it reduces bacteria, but I never saw any dramatic changes.
I wonder if a lot of these “natural” methods just make us feel like we’re doing something good for ourselves, even if the results are subtle or just placebo. It’s easy to get caught up in what looks easy or trendy on TikTok, but teeth are pretty sensitive—probably better to err on the side of caution.
Your dentist’s reaction makes sense. Mine told me to stick with fluoride toothpaste and not to go overboard with DIY stuff. Sometimes I wish there was a magic solution, but I guess slow and steady wins the race with dental care. At least you didn’t end up with any lasting problems from experimenting.
That slick feeling from oil pulling is so weird, right? I tried it for a couple weeks and honestly, I just got bored—no whitening, no huge changes. Baking soda made my teeth feel super clean but also kind of raw after a while. I get nervous about enamel too. Has anyone tried those whitening strips you get at the drugstore? I’m curious if they’re any gentler than the DIY stuff.
I’ve tried those drugstore whitening strips a couple times—honestly, they worked better than baking soda for me, but I wouldn’t call them gentle. My gums felt tingly and kind of sore after a few days. Baking soda always made my teeth feel clean, but I totally get what you mean about that “raw” sensation—almost like you brushed too hard or something.
Oil pulling never did much for me either, except make my mouth feel weirdly slippery. The whitening strips do show results faster, but I worry about using them too often. My dentist once warned me that overdoing any kind of whitening can mess with your enamel, even if it’s from the store and not DIY.
If you’re super concerned about enamel, maybe try a toothpaste with gentle whitening instead? It’s not as dramatic but feels way less harsh. Just my two cents...
