Hydrogen peroxide is a common type of antiseptic and first aid. It is a versatile liquid with different uses.
It is an active ingredient in different teeth whitening treatments, which helps to whiten the teeth. Hydrogen peroxide may help to whiten the teeth in several ways. Incorrect use of hydrogen peroxide can increase the damage to the enamel.
Is It Effective?
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A person can prepare a hydrogen mouthwash or peroxide paste at home. Hydrogen peroxide is an effective and common active ingredient in several teeth whitening solutions. Products consist of peroxides, such as carbamide peroxide and hydrogen peroxide act as bleaching agents to change teeth color. Peroxide can partly penetrate the teeth layers and removing compounds that cause discoloration.
The concentration of hydrogen peroxide in-store purchased teeth whitening kits can be as high as 10%. Dentists may also provide teeth whitening treatments with hydrogen peroxide concentrations of up to 40%.
Most of the store-bought hydrogen peroxide provides a 3% concentration. Many people worry that higher concentrations of peroxide may cause more side effects, such as tooth sensitivity and enamel breakdown. However, it does happen that the time length of these products spend on the teeth is important.
According to the authors of the 2016 study discovered that reduced concentration gels had more negative effects on tooth enamel when they stay on the teeth for longer periods.
Hight concentration gels often need less time over teeth to be effective, which can lower the risk of enamel damage. However, according to another American-Journal-of-Dentistry discovered that a commercial mouthwash consists only 1.5% of hydrogen peroxide shown a noticeable tooth enamel lightening in human after 4-weeks.
People who have sensitive teeth may wish to check in with their dentist before using hydrogen peroxide for teeth whitening.
This simple ingredient could be used comfortably at home to whiten teeth.
Is Hydrogen Peroxide Safe For Teeth Whitening?
Hydrogen peroxide is effective and not expensive. Some of its important properties include:
It is a chemical lightening agent to help teeth whitening by stimulating the enamel. Hydrogen peroxide possesses antimicrobial properties, which can benefit people with an oral disease like gingivitis and plaque.
It can also cause bad breath by reducing odor-causing bacteria from the mouth. However, do not use hydrogen peroxide directly for this purpose as it may cause mucosal abnormalities. Take your doctor’s help with the right method.
How To Use Hydrogen Peroxide For Teeth Whitening?
Gargling and Hydrogen Peroxide
The peroxide solution helps to eliminate all harmful bacteria from the oral cavity and lighten the yellow stains on teeth.
Ingredients
- 1-tablespoon from 3% hydrogen peroxide
- 1-tablespoon of water
How to use it?
- Combine two liquids and swish the mix in the mouth for 2-3 minutes.
- Spit it outward and rinse the mouth using plain water.
- You can perform 2-3 times a week.
Hydrogen Peroxide and Cotton Swab
It can be an alternative to swishing the hydrogen peroxide solution in the mouth. The cleaning properties of hydrogen peroxide play a role here. However, this method may not be effective like hydrogen peroxide gargle.
Ingredients
- 3% hydrogen peroxide solution
- A cotton swabs
How to use it?
- Absorb the cotton ball in the hydrogen peroxide and wipe it on your teeth.
- Keep the hydrogen peroxide on for 1-2 minutes, and then rinse the mouth with water.
- Repeat this 2-3 times a week.
Hydrogen Peroxide and Baking Soda
The coarseness of baking soda removes yellow stains on the teeth. It commonly works as an abrasive agent. It also provides teeth whitening properties.
Ingredients
- 1-teaspoon of baking soda
- 3% hydrogen peroxide solution
- A toothbrush
How to use it?
- Mix enough peroxide solution with baking soda to make medium consistency paste.
- Transfer this paste to your toothbrush and brush your teeth.
- Use this remedy two times a week.
Hydrogen Peroxide and Listerine
Adding listen with hydrogen peroxide helps to whiten teeth. It kills harmful bacteria. It may also help to whiten teeth.
Ingredients
- One-part Listerine mouthwash
- One-part hydrogen peroxide
How to use it?
- Combine the ingredients and use the mix as a mouthwash for mouth rinsing.
- Do not forget to wash with clean water.
- You can use this mouthwash 3-times a week.
Lemon Juice And Hydrogen Peroxide
Mixing lemon juice with hydrogen peroxide provides a natural bleaching agent. According to studies, lemon extract and its peel provide citric acid, which can help to bleach and cover the enamel.
Ingredients
- One teaspoon baking soda
- Some lemon juices
- Two tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide
How to use it?
- Include some drops of lemon juice, baking soda, and hydrogen peroxide.
- Combine everything well and apply this mix on teeth.
- Leave it for 1-2 minutes.
- Wash mouth with water and use it 1-2 times a week.
Hydrogen Peroxide and Salt
The coarseness of salt can help to dislodge the yellow stains on teeth and help teeth whitening.
Ingredients
- 2-tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide
- 1-tablespoon of salt
How to use it?
- Combine the two ingredients and rub them against teeth with a fingertip or toothbrush.
- Rub slowly for 1-2 minutes and then wash the mouth.
- Do this two times a week.
Once you see the effects, stop using hydrogen peroxide for some weeks, and continue if required. Constant usage of hydrogen peroxide can hurt teeth. It can damage the oral membranes. Also, keep it in refrigerate.
While hydrogen peroxide solution has got the approval of the American-Dental-Association, and top dentists also recommend it for teeth stain removal,` you need to start with care.
What Does Science Say?
Most hydrogen peroxide bottles you can purchase at a drug store are diluted to 3%. The amount of hydrogen peroxide in commercial whitening treatments differ and can be more than 10% in some products.
But scientific research shows dilution is the best thing for using hydrogen peroxide for whitening teeth; more strong concentrations can cause damage to the enamel or outer coating of teeth.
According to one study, scientists used a diluted hydrogen peroxide solution of 10%, 20%, 30% on human teeth that had been extracted for a different amount of time. They discovered that higher concentration solutions caused more damage to teeth if used for a longer time. It suggests that low-concentration treatment used for shorter times have some potential damage to teeth.
According to a different study, scientists discovered that 5% of hydrogen peroxide solution was as effective as 25% solution at whitening teeth. But to get a similar level of whiteness, one would require to use a teeth whitener with 5% of solution 12 times to get a similar level of whitening as 1-time with the 25% solution.
It means if you use short and low concentration treatments, you will get more treatments to get the desired whiteness.
Benefits of Hydrogen Peroxide
Gums Disease Treatment
Apart from first aid, hydrogen peroxide can help to provide a healthier smile, and dentists have used it for many years. According to RDH, dentists have utilized hydrogen peroxide since 1913 to treat gum disease and lower accumulated plaque on teeth.
Hydrogen peroxide helps to kill the bacteria causing the gum disease in 2-ways. Initially, it releases oxygen. If you have ever seen that peroxide bubbles that is because it is releasing oxygen gas. Oxygen can help to remove pathogens in the most aggressive type of gum disease. The oxygen presence makes it difficult for anaerobic bacteria to survive.
The other way to relieve gum disease with hydrogen peroxide and enhance gum health is by removing the barrier, which protects a biofilm, to remove bacteria cell walls. RDH points out that the most effective way to find bacteria present deep in periodontal pockets is to use peroxide in gel form with a tray. Leaving the gel in place for 10 minutes helps the peroxide kills all bacteria cells.
Hydrogen Peroxide Benefit Oral Hygiene
It also helps to remove gum disease bacteria. Using a 3% solution of hydrogen peroxide, which available in pharmacies can help to eliminate plaque from teeth surface and remove the gum disease signs, according to the Indiana-State-Department-of-Health. The ISDH implies using a soft-bristled toothbrush to apply a 3% solution, then flossing teeth after wash. You can also use thinned hydrogen peroxide as a mouth rinse by rolling a liquid mixed with water.
Tooth Whitening
Hydrogen peroxide best for cosmetic dentistry and tooth whitening. The quantity of hydrogen peroxide discovered in a whitening product depends on its type and how to use it. For example, some tooth whitening toothpaste consists of hydrogen peroxide recommended by professionals as a whitening ingredient.
However, if you are looking for an instant and sudden whitening solution, you might consider it expensive. No toothpaste consists of as much hydrogen peroxide as a tooth bleaching application product. The high concentration means the hydrogen peroxide helps to bleaches teeth instantly than the low concentration product.
Hydrogen Peroxide: Side Effects On Teeth?
Using hydrogen peroxide solution can lead to temporary irritation in gum or tooth sensitivity.
However, never swallow hydrogen peroxide solution as it may interact with stomach acids and leads to a gastrointestinal problem. If ingested, hydrogen peroxide can lead to esophagus injury. It is not advised to practice this synthesis to remove stains from teeth. It may not be a good thought to utilize and mix hydrogen peroxide with OTC teeth whitening products. Doing this may bring about expanded gum disturbance and teeth enamel disintegration.
Safety and risks
There are some risks to identify before using hydrogen peroxide for teeth whitening. Typical side effects of teeth whitening techniques include gum and tooth sensitivity, also inflamed or irritated gums.
If you get any symptoms during treatment, then stop using the product and check with the dentist. Some people may favor undergoing hydrogen peroxide teeth whitening in a clinic. The dentist might ask the patient to come first for cleansing. Cleaning the exterior of teeth will help the hydrogen peroxide to spur teeth uniformly.
During this appointment, the dentist will also need to check for cracks, as the cracks in the teeth can make the peroxide to penetrate further into the tooth. It can become a problem if the peroxide comes in contact with the delicate dentin as it is likely to cause sensitivity or irritation.
Is It Safe to Use Hydrogen Peroxide on Your Teeth?
Hydrogen peroxide is a cost-effective household product and handy. When used this carefully, it can be a very effective way to whiten teeth. If you use it incorrectly-in concentrations that are higher or if used more often – it can cause more damage. Be careful about choosing teeth whitening should be. If you have any concerns, always check with a dentist, who can provide advice on the best dental health.
Meantime, you can protect the whiteness of teeth and prevent staining by skipping drinks and foods that cause stains on teeth.
This includes:
- energy drinks
- tea and red wine
- coffee
- candy
- carbonated beverages
- berries
- blackberries
- blueberries
- strawberries
- raspberries
- tomato-based sauces
- citrus fruits
Interactions
If you are using teeth whitening products under the guidance of a doctor, your doctor may already know about possible drug interactions and how to monitor them. Do not begin, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before consulting your doctor. Keep a list of all medications and take doctor advice.
The outer part of the teeth is made of enamel, which is white. Improper dental care and high consumption of carbonated drinks and caffeine cause thin the inner layer, staining teeth, and make teeth yellow with time. Specialized teeth whitening toothpaste may not always work as they claim. Even the more popular dental whitening strips could cause the risk of enamel damage. It is the place where hydrogen peroxide stays as an alternative.
Individuals with sensitive teeth, draining gums, and existing teeth diseases should utilize this arrangement exclusively after counseling a dental specialist. Else, you can attempt these home cures and perceive how they can help you. The most ideal approach to forestall teeth stains is to wash your mouth after you eat any food. Following appropriate oral consideration can go far in preventing practically all tooth diseases.