Hydrogen Peroxide For Teeth Whitening – 6 Home Remedies

If you are not satisfied with the results of specialized teeth whitening gels toothpastes, try hydrogen peroxide for teeth whitening. While even the popular dental whitening strips could pose the risk of damaging the enamel, this easy home remedy presents a safe alternative.

This simple ingredient could be used conveniently at home to whiten your teeth. In this article, we have explored the different ways hydrogen peroxide could be used as a remedy to help whiten teeth.

Is Hydrogen Peroxide Good For Teeth Whitening?

Hydrogen peroxide is effective and does not cost much. Some of its key properties include:

• It is a chemical lightening agent that helps whiten teeth by penetrating the enamel (1).
• It possesses antimicrobial properties that can benefit people with oral ailments like plaque and gingivitis (2).
• It can counter bad breath by eliminating the odor-causing bacteria from the mouth (3). However, do not use hydrogen peroxide directly for this purpose as it may cause mucosal abnormalities. Consult your doctor for the right method.

Thanks to its antiseptic and disinfectant properties, hydrogen peroxide has been used for ages for cleaning purposes and to heal wounds. It is getting popular as a DIY teeth whitening agent, and in the following section, we will see how it works.

How To Use Hydrogen Peroxide To Whiten Teeth

1. Gargling With Hydrogen Peroxide
2. Using Cotton Swab And Hydrogen Peroxide
3. Baking Soda And Hydrogen Peroxide
4. Listerine And Hydrogen Peroxide
5. Hydrogen Peroxide And Lemon Juice
6. Hydrogen Peroxide And Salt

Whiten Teeth With Hydrogen Peroxide Using These Methods

1. Gargling With Hydrogen Peroxide

The peroxide solution helps remove all harmful bacteria from your oral cavity and lighten the yellow stains on your teeth.

You Will Need

• 1 tablespoon of 3% hydrogen peroxide
• 1 tablespoon of water

What You Have To Do

1. Mix the two liquids and swish the mixture in your mouth for 2-3 minutes.
2. Spit it out and rinse your mouth with plain water.

How Often You Should Do This

You can do this 2-3 times a week.

2. Cotton Swab And Hydrogen Peroxide

This can be an alternative to swishing the hydrogen peroxide solution in your mouth. The cleaning properties of hydrogen peroxide play a role here. However, this method may not be as effective as the hydrogen peroxide gargle.

You Will Need

• 3% hydrogen peroxide solution
• A cotton swab

What You Have To Do

1. Dip the cotton swab in the solution and rub it against your teeth.
2. Leave the hydrogen peroxide on for a minute or two and then rinse your mouth with water.

How Often You Should Do This

Repeat this 2-3 times a week.

Tina Engeo, a beauty, health, and lifestyle vlogger, tried the cotton swab and hydrogen peroxide teeth whitening method and shared her thoughts on her channel. She says, “I do have pretty okay teeth to begin with. On the parts that are near the gums, it does seem a little bit more yellow, and I just feel like it [hydrogen peroxide] fixed it a little bit (i).”

3. Baking Soda And Hydrogen Peroxide

The coarseness of baking soda helps break down the yellow stains on the teeth. It basically acts as an abrasive agent. It also has teeth whitening properties (4). While there are many ways to use baking soda to whiten your teeth, one of them is to mix it with hydrogen peroxide.

You Will Need

• 1 teaspoon of baking soda
• 3% hydrogen peroxide solution
• A toothbrush

What You Have To Do

1. Add enough peroxide solution to the baking soda to get a paste of medium consistency.
2. Transfer this paste onto your toothbrush and brush your teeth with it.

How Often You Should Do This

Use this DIY teeth whitening toothpaste 2 times a week.

4. Listerine And Hydrogen Peroxide

While the hydrogen peroxide whitens your teeth, Listerine helps clean your teeth and oral cavity, thereby killing all harmful bacteria

(5). This may also help whiten teeth.

You Will Need

• 1 part Listerine mouthwash
• 1 part hydrogen peroxide

What You Have To Do

1. Mix the ingredients and use the mixture as a mouthwash to rinse your mouth.
2. Do not forget to do a final rinse with clean water.

How Often You Should Do This

You can use this peroxide mouthwash 3 times a week.

5. Hydrogen Peroxide And Lemon Juice

Lemon juice can act as a natural dental bleaching agent. Studies show that lemon extract and peel contain citric acid, which can help bleach the stains on the enamel (6).

You Will Need

• 1 teaspoon of baking soda
• A few drops of lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide

What You Have To Do

1. Add a few drops of lemon juice and hydrogen peroxide to the baking soda.
2. Mix everything well and apply this paste to your teeth.
3. Leave it on for a minute or two.
4. Rinse your mouth thoroughly with water.

How Often You Should Do This

Do this 1-2 times a week.

6. Hydrogen Peroxide And Salt

The coarseness of salt can help dislodge the yellow stains on your teeth and aid teeth whitening.

You Will Need

• 2 tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide
• 1 tablespoon of salt

What You Have To Do

1. Mix the two ingredients and rub this paste against your teeth with either a toothbrush or your fingertip.
2. Rub gently for 1-2 minutes and then rinse your mouth.

How Often You Should Do This

Repeat this 2 times a week.

7. Hydrogen Peroxide And Charcoal

This natural teeth-whitening method combines the cleansing properties of hydrogen peroxide and activated charcoal. Hydrogen peroxide acts as a gentle bleach, while anecdotal evidence suggests that charcoal absorbs stains and toxins, effectively brightening the teeth and removing surface discoloration.

What You Will Need

• Hydrogen peroxide (3% solution)
• Activated charcoal powder
• A clean toothbrush
• Water

What You Will Have To Do

• Mix a small amount of activated charcoal powder with a few drops of hydrogen peroxide to form a paste.
• Dip a clean, damp toothbrush into the charcoal-peroxide paste and brush your teeth gently for 2-3 minutes.
• Spit out the charcoal mixture and rinse your mouth thoroughly with water until all the residue is removed.

How Often You Should Do This

Once or twice a week.

Once you see some results, discontinue using hydrogen peroxide for a couple of weeks (you may resume again if needed). Continuous usage of hydrogen peroxide can harm your teeth. It can damage the oral tissues (7). Also, refrigerate hydrogen peroxide once you purchase it to keep it in its stabilized form for longer.

Quick Tip

You can also use over-the-counter teeth whitening products with hydrogen peroxide. Ensure you carefully follow the instructions given on the packaging.

Are There Any Side Effects Of Using Hydrogen Peroxide On Teeth?

• Using hydrogen peroxide solution can cause temporary gum irritation or tooth sensitivity (8). However, this may subside soon in most cases.
• Never swallow hydrogen peroxide solution as it may interact with the stomach acids and cause gastrointestinal issues (9).
• If ingested, hydrogen peroxide can cause injury in the esophagus (10).
• It is not recommended to use this compound to remove stains from children’s teeth.
• It may not be a good idea to use and combine hydrogen peroxide with OTC teeth whitening products like an at-home whitening pen. Doing so may result in enhanced gum irritation and enamel erosion. There is a lack of direct evidence in this regard, so talk to your dentist.

It is essential to use it with caution and follow proper guidelines to avoid potential risks and complications. Here are some precautions to keep in mind:

• Avoid concentrations higher than 3% as it can increase the risk of tooth sensitivity, gum irritation, and enamel erosion.
• Do not leave hydrogen peroxide on your teeth for longer than the recommended time, as prolonged exposure can increase the risk of side effects.

If you experience any adverse reactions, discontinue use immediately and consult a dentist.

Quick Tip

You can go to a dentist for a cleaning before using hydrogen peroxide to whiten your teeth. This will allow the hydrogen peroxide to penetrate your teeth properly.

Infographic: Top 5 Ways To Use Hydrogen Peroxide For Teeth Whitening

Teeth whitening appointments can be time-consuming and expensive, and the teeth whitening toothpastes on the market may not give you the desired results. The good news is that you can use a natural bleaching agent, like hydrogen peroxide, to whiten your teeth at home. Check out the infographic below to know more!

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take for hydrogen peroxide to whiten teeth?

Hydrogen peroxide may start showing its teeth whitening effects in 30 minutes to 24 hours. However, the amount of time it will take to completely whiten the teeth depends on the condition of the teeth and severity of staining.

Is 3% hydrogen peroxide safe for teeth?

Yes. 3% hydrogen peroxide is considered to be safe for teeth. However, it is advised to use it with caution.

Is it safe to brush your teeth with hydrogen peroxide and baking soda?

Yes. It is safe to use 3% hydrogen peroxide and baking soda for brushing teeth. However, individuals with sensitive teeth and gums may experience some irritation. In that case, it should not be continued.

Illustration: Hydrogen Peroxide For Teeth Whitening - 6 Home Remedies

Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team

Can hydrogen peroxide really whiten your teeth? Find out in this video that explores the science behind it and whether it live up to the claim.

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Dr. Thomas ConnellyDDS

 

Practicing in Beverly Hills and Manhattan, with experience that spans more than 21 years and several Northeastern states, Dr. Thomas Connelly delivers world class dental aesthetics to patients from all walks of life. He is accredited by the American Society of Dental Aesthetics - the most prestigious and selective credentialing organization in the world for Aesthetic Dentistry - and is also a Fellow in the International Academy for Dental Facial Esthetics.

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Shaheen NaserHealth & Wellness Writer

 

Shaheen holds a postgraduate degree in Human Genetics and Molecular Biology from Bharathiar University. She is a Geneticist with proficiency in Biotechnology, Immunology, Medical Genetics, Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Genetic Counseling.

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Arshiya SyedaCo-Editor-in-Chief

Arshiya Syeda is the Co-Editor-in-Chief of StyleCraze with 8 years of experience. Prior to that, she was a content writer who combined her writing and research skills to write over 200 high-performing articles on hairstyles, hair care, and skin care.

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Dipti SharmaBeauty & Lifestyle Writer

Dipti is a health and wellness writer specializing in holistic health practices. She graduated from Maharishi Dayanand University, Haryana, and has worked closely with Ayurvedic doctors, which has given her a deep understanding of traditional remedies and their applications.

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