I swished 1 tablespoon of baking soda in warm water every evening. 4 days later, this is what happened

Baking soda has been around forever.

It’s in toothpaste. It’s in DIY cleaning hacks. It’s even in natural deodorants. And online, it’s often promoted as a simple, affordable mouth rinse that can freshen breath and reduce plaque.

Curious about the claims, I decided to try a controlled experiment:

• 1 tablespoon of baking soda
• Dissolved in 8 ounces of warm water
• Swished for 30 seconds
• Every evening for 4 days
• No other changes to my oral routine

I wanted to observe breath freshness, plaque buildup, sensitivity, and overall mouth comfort — without exaggerating results.

Here’s what actually happened.

Why People Use Baking Soda as a Mouth Rinse

Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) is mildly alkaline.

The mouth can become acidic due to:

• Food and drink
• Bacterial activity
• Sugars
• Dry mouth

An acidic environment encourages bacterial growth and enamel weakening.

Because baking soda neutralizes acids, it may:

• Support a balanced oral pH
• Help reduce odor-causing bacteria
• Gently assist with surface cleaning

That’s the theory.

Day 1: Texture and Taste

The first night was mostly about the taste.

It’s mildly salty and slightly soapy. Not unpleasant, but definitely different from minty mouthwash.

I swished for 30 seconds, spit it out, and rinsed with plain water.

Immediate effects:

• Mouth felt clean
• Slight lingering freshness
• No irritation

No dramatic change — but it felt like a gentle reset.

Day 2: Breath Freshness

On the second evening, something subtle stood out.

My breath felt fresher for longer after brushing.

The next morning, there was noticeably less typical “morning breath.” Not gone entirely — just reduced.

That makes sense. Neutralizing acid and reducing bacteria overnight may contribute to that effect.

Day 3: Plaque and Smoothness

By the third day, I noticed my teeth felt smoother.

When I ran my tongue across them, there was less of that slightly rough texture that can build up by evening.

Flossing produced less residue than usual.

Baking soda is mildly abrasive — but when used as a rinse (not scrubbed directly), it’s gentler than brushing with it.

Still, moderation is important.

Day 4: Sensitivity and Comfort

This was the most surprising change.

I sometimes experience mild sensitivity to cold drinks. By day four, that sensitivity seemed slightly reduced.

It wasn’t dramatic, but it was noticeable.

Possible explanation: Baking soda can help neutralize acids that irritate exposed dentin.

My gums also felt calm — no irritation or tenderness.

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