can i apply pure baking soda directly to my teeth to whiten them?

i find whitening strips irritating and hard to keep in place. results with those always take longer. i was just curiuos, can i take plain old baking soda and brush my teeth with it? would this damage my enamel? what are all the affects? would i just wet my brush and dip it in baking soda? people have told me this. i only go to the dentist every six months to get my teeth cleaned. thanks
--------------------
I used baking soda and peroxide for about a year, and it did whiten, but the dentist said it was taking the enamel off my teeth and to go back to toothpaste. It's not just the baking soda, the peroxide helps too. You could probably rinse your mouth with peroxide daily, and I might consider brushing with baking soda 3x a week. That should provide enough whiteness and not hurt your enamel. Don't forget to floss.
Source