Glossary entry
Sodium Bicarbonate (Prophylaxis)
Also called: NaHCO3, baking soda
Sodium bicarbonate is the original air polishing powder, with particle sizes typically 40-250 microns, used for supragingival stain removal but contraindicated on implants and exposed dentin.
What is sodium bicarbonate (prophylaxis)?
Sodium bicarbonate was the first powder used in dental air polishing (1980s, Prophy-Jet) and remains a cost-effective option for supragingival stain removal. Particle sizes typically range from 40 to 250 microns depending on brand, making it substantially more abrasive than glycine or erythritol.
Sodium bicarbonate air polishing produces the strongest stain-removal per pass but is progressively being replaced by lower-abrasion powders for routine use, particularly in practices that treat implant and perio maintenance patients.
When is it used?
Sodium bicarbonate is indicated for:
- Supragingival stain removal on intact enamel
- Cost-sensitive recall workflows on low-risk patients
Sodium bicarbonate is contraindicated on:
- Exposed dentin or root surfaces
- Titanium implant surfaces
- Patients on sodium-restricted diets (one unit load contains up to 1 g sodium)
- Composite restorations (surface roughening)