SCIENTIFIC REPORT

Title: Baking Soda and Coconut Oil as an Alternative Toothpaste.

Introduction/Background Information

Sodium bicarbonate, commonly known as baking soda or bicarbonate of soda, is a

chemical compound with the formula NaHCO3. It is an alkaline white powder that’s ubiquitous

in modern kitchens (Everyday Health, 2018. Coconut oil is an edible oil derived from the wick,

meat, and milk of the coconut palm fruit. It contains medium-chain fatty acids, including capric

acid, caprylic acid, and lauric acid (WebMD, 2020).

Baking soda for teeth isn’t new. Numerous toothpaste brands have baking soda

formulations available and there’s a lot of evidence to support the benefits of toothpaste with

baking soda. Using baking soda as toothpaste has been shown to kill bacteria that can cause tooth

decay. There is also some evidence that using coconut oil along with baking soda as toothpaste

can kill certain types of bacteria that may help prevent gum disease and tooth decay (Healthline,

2019).

It’s widely known that baking soda is a mild abrasive and can work to gently whiten your

teeth over time. Mixing baking soda with coconut oil is a cheap option for whitening your teeth.

Plus, coconut oil has anti-fungal and anti-microbial properties and can help kill bacteria that can

cause bad breath (Stapleton, 2018).

Baking soda is alkaline, so it can help regulate your mouth’s pH by neutralizing the

acidity. As such, baking soda not only prevents tooth decay but also helps remineralize your

enamel. It can also limit plaque buildup by neutralizing plaque acids (Antioch Dental Care,
2021). Coconut oil can also balance the pH in mouth. And this is one of the reasons it’s

beneficial for our oral health. Not only has coconut oil been associated with being good for gums

and the potential for it to heal cavities, but it’s also been understood to neutralize the pH in your

mouth (Terra and Co., 2021).

Thus, using baking soda and coconut oil as an alternative toothpaste can effectively

destroy the bacteria that can cause tooth decay, whiten teeth, and restore pH balance.

Aim

The aim of the study is to determine the effectiveness of an alternative toothpaste made

of baking soda and coconut oil, whether this product can help prevent tooth decay, whiten teeth,

and restore pH balance.

Hypotheses

1. If one uses baking soda and coconut oil as an alternative toothpaste, then it may help

them to prevent tooth decay and proliferation of disease-causing bacteria in the mouth.

2. If one uses baking soda and coconut oil as an alternative toothpaste, then it may help

whiten their teeth.

3. If one uses baking soda and coconut oil as an alternative toothpaste, then it may help

them restore their pH balance.

Risk Assessment

Hazard and associated harm Risk Precautions

Baking soda and coconut oil

are commonly used for
ingredients for cooking but
Alternative toothpaste can't be
Low once these two products
used as seasonings
become toothpaste, it's not
advisable to use as
seasonings.
Note the date you make or
brought the alternative
toothpaste and be sure to used
Expiry date of the product Medium it within a month. If one
month have passed be sure to
throw it away because it's no
longer usable
Just like other toothpaste this

product cannot be swallowed

because it may damage some

Swallowing the alternative
High of your sensitive organs. Be
product.
sure to spit the toothpaste and

cleanse it with water.

Method

The research instrument used in the study was giving of survey forms. The test was

divided into two sections:(1) The respondent's profile; and (2) A close-ended survey questions

that determined the effectiveness of coconut oil and baking soda as an alternative toothpaste.

This research instrument helped the researchers determine if baking soda with coconut oil can be

effective as an alternative toothpaste. A Cross-Tabulation Analysis was used to analyze the data

after collecting all the questionnaires from the participants who were intended to fifty (50)

respondents in total within the Municipality of Aurora, Zamboanga del Sur.

Materials

The following materials were used in making the baking soda and coconut oil toothpaste.

 3 tablespoons

 1 teaspoon

 2 bowls

 1 container
Steps

The baking soda and coconut oil toothpaste were created with the combination of five (5)

tablespoons of coconut oil, five (5) tablespoons of baking soda, and seven (7) teaspoons of

peppermint oil.

The researchers did this procedure to make the baking soda and coconut oil toothpaste:

1) Add five (5) tablespoons of coconut oil into the bowl.

2) Add five (5) tablespoons of baking soda.

3) Stir well using a tablespoon.

4) Add seven teaspoons of peppermint oil.

5) Transfer into an empty tube.

Diagram

MEAN
0.4

7.6

15.2
36.8

24.8

13.2

0.4 1.6

Excellent Very Satisfactory Satisfactory Fairly Satisfactory

Did Not Meet Expectation Yes No No Answer

Results

The numerical data illustrated the mean statistical figure of the overall answers of the

respondents in the survey form.

The average score of the respondents shows that, regarding the effectiveness of an

alternative toothpaste made of baking soda and coconut oil, 3.8, which is equivalent to 7.6% of

the respondents, rated Excellent, 12.4 which is equivalent to 24.8% rated Satisfactory, 7.6 which

is equivalent to 15.2% rated Very Satisfactory, 1.6% rated Fairly Satisfactory, and 0.4% rated

Did Not Meet Expectations given the statements asked for by the researchers. While 6.6, which

is equivalent to 13.2% of the respondents, said Yes and 36.8% said No, this means that baking

soda and coconut oil can be used as an alternative toothpaste. However, 0.4% of the respondents

chose not to answer.

Discussion

Correlated with the diagram, the findings of the study were summarized according to the

statement of the problem stated in Chapter 1.

1. Does the alternative toothpaste help prevent tooth decay?

The data revealed that there is a mean of 33.3, which shows that the majority of users

agreed that the alternative toothpaste can help prevent tooth decay, while a mean of 16.7 did not

agree.

2. How effective is the alternative toothpaste?

The majority of respondents, with a mean of 40, clearly demonstrate that this alternative

toothpaste made of baking soda and coconut oil is very effective, whereas the remaining

respondents, with a mean of 10, said it’s not effective.

3. Are there any side effects after brushing your teeth?

The data revealed that a mean of 50, which includes all of them, shows that the

population agreed with this statement. This means that there are no side effects after using the

alternative toothpaste.
Conclusion

Tooth whitening is one of the most frequently requested dental procedures by the public,

that is why many choices for tooth whitening have been made available. This led to the growth

of various alternative tooth whitening agents. One of the most popular remedies for whiter teeth

can be done at home particularly baking soda and coconut oil, keeping teeth healthy and natural.

Baking Soda (Sodium Bicarbonate) is widely known as versatile, easily accessible, cost-

effective, plaque removal properties and a potential tooth whitening agent. A synergy is

developed with the addition of coconut oil to baking soda. Coconut Oil (Cocos Nucifera)

strongly inhibited the growth of most stains of Streptococcus bacteria including Streptococcus

mutants.

Based on the findings, the following conclusions where made:

1. The researchers conclude that the alternative toothpaste is safe to use, indicating that

there are no side effects after brushing the teeth.

2. The researchers conclude that the alternative toothpaste can help prevent tooth decay.

3. The researchers conclude that the alternative toothpaste can whiten teeth and is suitable

to a regular toothpaste.