I do a quick brush w/the baking soda so as to get off any leftover risidue from oil pulling. I then brush w/soap which I find more pleasing than having salty baking soda in my mouth. Besides, brushing w/soap makes your mouth feel so clean. I've been brushing sopa for nearly 2 1/2 wks and cannot believe the difference in my teeth, my gums--I wish I had known all this years ago. It's oil pulling and soap for me--can't get much simpler than that.