baking soda after a while will make your gums tender,,,.. but you can just brush with plain water, the key to brushing is removing plaq, just doing it with toothpaste give if flavor.. and its really harmful with all the chemicals, alot tooth paste burn etc(canker sores)..maybe thats why i cant rid my coated tongue but i been brushing with toothpaste so long i feel program like if i brush with water it wont feel clean, i suggest brush with water rinse with salt...but brushing with toothpaste twice a day will probably feed your candida a little not much....it likese having two pieces Sugar free gum..its not enough to throw ya candida full aggression