Looking for a natural way to whiten or clean your teeth? Many people turn to hydrogen peroxide as a natural alternative to other common dental care ingredients for removing teeth stains and bacteria naturally.
But, is hydrogen peroxide safe for teeth? Well, it depends. This common household ingredient is beneficial for teeth whitening and cleaning but can be harmful if excessively used. If you’re thinking about using hydrogen peroxide on your teeth, keep reading—we’ll explain what it is and how to safely use it.
What is Hydrogen Peroxide?
Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is a naturally occurring compound and ingredient in many commercial teeth whitening products, toothpaste, and mouthwash. It is also used as a natural bleaching agent, antiseptic, and oxidizer.
Is Hydrogen Peroxide Effective?
Yes, hydrogen peroxide has been found to be quite effective as both a cleaning and whitening agent. For cleaning, hydrogen peroxide kills bacteria and breaks up plaque in the mouth. And for whitening, hydrogen peroxide is a compound with properties that can break down the molecules within the tooth that cause staining.
Is Hydrogen Peroxide Safe to Use?
As mentioned before, the answer here is “it depends”. While hydrogen peroxide is a naturally occurring compound that can be very beneficial for removing stains and cleaning teeth, if used too liberally it can cause not only the breakdown of bacteria and plaque but also the protective layer of your teeth—the enamel.
When using hydrogen peroxide, keep these factors in mind so that you limit your risk of potentially negative side effects:
- How long you leave hydrogen peroxide on your teeth—typically don’t go over one minute if swishing as a mouthwash, or two minutes if brushing.
- The strength of the hydrogen peroxide solution
- How frequently you apply hydrogen peroxide to your teeth—we don’t recommend applying it to your teeth more than once daily.
If you’re already experiencing tooth sensitivity, remember there are other ways to naturally clean and whiten your teeth without using hydrogen peroxide. That said, if you’re interested in trying out hydrogen peroxide for your oral health, here are a few ways to do so.
Ways to Use Hydrogen Peroxide for Your Oral Health
Hydrogen Peroxide as a Rinse
Rinsing with a hydrogen peroxide mixture can be quite effective in killing bacteria and removing plaque—and it’s easy. Just follow these simple instructions:
- Mix ½ cup water and ½ cup hydrogen peroxide
- Swish around in your mouth for up to 1 minute
- Spit out the solution, making sure not to swallow
Rinsing for 30 seconds to 1 minute is quite common, however, if at any point it feels like the solution is hurting your mouth, spit it out.
Whitening with Hydrogen Peroxide
The most popular use of hydrogen peroxide for oral health is to remove tooth stains. You can make an at-home whitening paste using hydrogen peroxide and baking soda:
- Mix 1 teaspoon of baking soda with 2 teaspoons of hydrogen peroxide
- Use a toothbrush to apply the paste in small circular motions. Brush for 1 to 2 minutes, stopping if at any point your teeth feel extra sensitive.
- If you’d like, you can leave the paste on your teeth for a few more minutes.
- Rinse! Make sure to rinse all of the paste off of your teeth, then repeat up to once daily.
The time it takes to noticeably whiten your teeth is going to vary based on quite a few things, including how deep your tooth stains are, how often the whitening treatments are used, and the concentration of hydrogen peroxide.
Remember to always monitor how your teeth are feeling, and at any point stop or reduce the amount of hydrogen peroxide used if you experience tooth or gum sensitivity or inflammation. There are many other options for whitening and cleaning your teeth naturally if your teeth are sensitive.
Summary
While hydrogen peroxide can be a good, natural option for whitening and cleaning teeth, use it with caution so that you don’t accidentally damage your teeth in the process. Pay attention to make sure you’re not experiencing extra sensitivity or noticeable agitation in your mouth.
As also mentioned, there are many other ways to naturally whiten your teeth! Make sure to check those out here.
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