There is no shortage of remedies, tips, and hacks promising instant results for haircare, skin, or dental health. However, experts suggest verifying everything one comes across on the Internet (and other sources) before trying them. Taking this advice to heart, we reached out to professionals to verify if a mixture of one tablespoon of baking soda and two tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide can help whiten teeth, as suggested by a general medicine practitioner.

According to an Instagram post by Angela Hadi, you should gently brush the mixture with a soft-bristled toothbrush and let it sit for a few minutes before rinsing it off. “You can make a mouthwash by adding some water to the mixture,” the post reads.

Intrigued, we consulted Dr. Gunita Singh, B.D.S., M.D. Dental Lasers at Dentem, The Dental and Orthodontic Clinic, to understand if the mixture truly works and is good for your dental health.

Baking soda is often used to remove stains from teeth and gives good results when used with water or toothpaste, said Dr. Singh. “It helps remove stains because it has abrasive qualities. It abrades the outer layer of enamel, which holds the stains,” explained Dr. Singh.

So, is the solution effective? According to Dr. Singh, “it is not a very good idea.” “Using it occasionally is still acceptable, but prolonged use can lead to abrasions and increased sensitivity of the teeth,” said Dr. Singh. “However, people often ignore our ‘once in a while’ suggestion, and it becomes a habit. So, it’s better not to use such products,” emphasized Dr. Singh.

What about hydrogen peroxide? Dr. Singh informed us that hydrogen peroxide oxidizes stains and cleans them from the surface of the enamel. “Using it meticulously in a dental office along with soothing agents is acceptable. However, self-use of hydrogen peroxide is not a good idea as it can lead to burns, especially if used in higher concentrations over the long run,” said Dr. Singh.

Additionally, it can cause “major harm to the enamel and increase sensitivity.” “When there are safe procedures available in the dental office, I don’t recommend the use of chemicals at home,” advised Dr. Singh. “If needed, there are effective natural home remedies like strawberries and bananas that can be consumed for better dental health and shine,” concluded Dr. Singh.