I'm right there with you—I get super nervous about anything that might mess with enamel, especially since my kiddo just finished up with braces and her teeth are still a bit sensitive. The orthodontist warned us about both baking soda and charcoal, actually. I know people say baking soda is gentle, but I just keep picturing tiny scratches adding up over time. Is it really that much safer than charcoal, or is it all just marketing?
We tried brushing with baking soda once (my daughter saw it on TikTok), and honestly, her teeth felt weirdly rough after. I freaked out and made her rinse and brush again with regular toothpaste. Maybe I overreacted, but I just can't get past the idea of scrubbing away enamel that's already taken a beating from braces.
Does anyone know if dentists actually recommend either of these for kids or teens? I feel like every “quick fix” comes with a risk, and I’d rather stick to stuff that’s actually safe, even if it takes longer to see results.
I get what you mean about feeling nervous—after my braces came off, my teeth felt way more sensitive than before. But I’m not totally convinced baking soda is “gentle” either. I tried it a few times (also saw it online), and my teeth actually felt gritty, not smoother. I’ve read that even mild abrasives can wear enamel down if you’re not careful, especially right after orthodontic stuff. Does anyone else think these trends are just too risky for kids? I’d rather deal with a little staining than risk permanent damage, honestly.
I’m not totally convinced baking soda is “gentle” either. I tried it a few times (also saw it online), and my teeth actually felt gritty, not smoother. I’ve read that even mild abrasives can wear enamel down if you’re not careful, especially right after orthodontic stuff.
That’s exactly what I noticed too—baking soda feels deceptively mild, but if you look up the Relative Dentin Abrasivity (RDA) scale, it’s not as low-impact as everyone assumes. I used it a few times after my retainer phase, thinking it’d be a safe way to brighten up, but my teeth felt “sanded” more than polished. Not painful, just... off. I think a lot of people underestimate how thin enamel can get right after braces, especially if you had any decalcification or adhesive residue.
Activated charcoal is another trend that worries me. It’s even more abrasive than baking soda, and there’s not much actual research on long-term effects. The black powder looks dramatic, but it’s basically scrubbing your enamel with tiny rocks. I get why people want a quick fix for stains, but the tradeoff seems risky, especially for kids or anyone with recent dental work. Once enamel’s gone, it’s not coming back.
Honestly, I’d rather stick with regular fluoride toothpaste and be patient. I had a dentist explain that surface stains often fade a bit on their own as your teeth remineralize post-braces. Sometimes even just switching to an electric toothbrush makes a big difference without all the DIY stuff.
I get tempted by those “miracle” TikTok hacks too, but it’s not worth ending up with permanently sensitive teeth. The gritty feeling you mentioned is a red flag—enamel should feel smooth, not rough. My cousin’s kid tried charcoal powder for a month and ended up needing sensitivity toothpaste for ages. Definitely not worth it for a little extra brightness.
“The gritty feeling you mentioned is a red flag—enamel should feel smooth, not rough.”
That gritty feeling is exactly what put me off too. I used baking soda a couple times after getting my braces off, just because TikTok made it seem so harmless. My teeth felt weirdly chalky after, almost like I’d brushed with sand. Maybe it’s just me, but I’d rather deal with a little staining than risk thinning out my enamel even more.
Has anyone actually asked their orthodontist or dentist about these DIY whitening hacks? Mine was super blunt—he said the best thing is patience and sticking with fluoride toothpaste, especially after braces when your enamel’s still recovering. I switched to a soft-bristle electric toothbrush and honestly, that alone made my teeth look cleaner and feel smoother.
Curious if anyone here has tried any of the “enamel repair” toothpastes? Do they actually help, or is it just marketing hype? I keep seeing them advertised for post-braces care but haven’t pulled the trigger yet.
I’ve wondered the same about those enamel repair toothpastes. I tried one (Sensodyne Repair & Protect, if that’s allowed to mention), and honestly, my teeth felt smoother but I can’t say I noticed any major difference in color or strength. Maybe it’s placebo? Or maybe it just takes longer to see results. Either way, I’d take “smooth” over “gritty” any day. Brushing with baking soda made me nervous too... TikTok trends aren’t worth risking enamel for.
