Oregon Careers in Healthcare

Trends and videos getting viral are making home remedies tooth whitening more popular to the mass. The use of hydrogen peroxide as a tooth whitening agent is one of them. Users claim that it has significantly whitened their teeth in just a week of use. But what is hydrogen peroxide?

Hydrogen peroxide is a chemical compound that is commonly used as an antiseptic in most homes. Hydrogen peroxide is also an active agent in many teeth whitening treatments. This knowledge has to lead many people to try to use 3% hydrogen peroxide as their home remedy teeth whitener. It is affordable, and you can easily get it from your local drugstore. Hydrogen peroxide is a versatile liquid with a range of different uses. It may be an effective agent, but it is no ordinary liquid not to take precautions. Experts say that a significant amount of it can cause damage to the enamel of the teeth if used incorrectly. So how can we use it safely? What do the experts say about it? If you need better advice, the Sydney Laser Dental Care team are trained in all aspects of dentistry, including teeth whitening, that is 100% safe and effective.

 

Is it safe?

Hydrogen peroxide can be completely safe upon regulated and controlled use. It can be added to products like toothpaste or teeth whitening strips. Through these products, hydrogen peroxide works its magic. What it does is it breaks down stains and brightens the overall shade of the tooth. However, immoderate use may cause damage to your teeth and gums over time. Teeth whitening products contain a concentrated amount of hydrogen peroxide from 3% to 20% only. Higher than that can be damaging for your teeth and gums especially if used for a long period of time. That is why most toothpaste companies use a lower amount of hydrogen peroxide on their toothpaste and mouthwashes. It does make the bleaching properties weaker, but it is safer for long-term use. Plus, hydrogen peroxide helps improve your gum health by killing bad bacteria that contribute to gum disease. With that being said, yes, hydrogen peroxide can be quite helpful and safe, but there are still some risks to consider before using it to whiten the teeth.

 

Is it effective?

Since it is an active agent in most teeth whitening products, it is hard to doubt its effectiveness. Before hydrogen peroxide, many products have been used as home teeth whitening remedy, like baking soda and apple cider vinegar. But none has come close to the effectiveness of hydrogen peroxide. It has been proven to effectively whiten teeth in just a week of use.

 

Are there any side effects?

Like any other teeth whitening methods, the use of hydrogen peroxide can have mild side effects. That includes tooth and gum sensitivity, as well as irritated or inflamed gums. It is better to consult an expert once you experience any of these symptoms. Some people may even prefer to undergo hydrogen peroxide teeth whitening in a dentist’s chair. In this way, your dentist will thoroughly inspect your teeth and gums for any damage and will provide you more options on how to deal with the symptoms.

 

Is it recommended?

In a scientific study, hydrogen peroxide was tested on teeth enamel by 10%, 20%, and 30% solution in varying amounts of time. Upon comparison, they found that higher concentration solutions cause more damage to teeth. The same goes when they keep the teeth in contact with the solution for a longer period. These experts say that it is recommended to perform tooth whitening using a low-concentration of the solution and shorten treatment time to minimise the possibility of damaging the outer coating of the teeth. In this way, low-concentration treatments applied for shorter periods of time have the least potential to damage teeth but still reach the required brighter color of teeth.

 

How do you use it?

Hydrogen peroxide can be used for teeth whitening in many forms.

To make it a paste follow these simple procedure and how to apply it:

1. Mix the desired amount of baking soda in a bowl and add a little amount of peroxide solution using a clean spoon.
2. Add additional peroxide until you get a thick, but not grainy, paste.
3. Using a toothbrush apply the paste by brushing it to your teeth in a circular motion for two minutes.
4. Let the paste stay on your teeth for a few more minutes.
5. Rinse thoroughly by swishing water around your mouth. Make sure there is no more paste left in your mouth when done.

You can also make it as a mouthwash by following these simple instruction:

1. Add equal parts of 3% hydrogen peroxide and water in a small cup.
2. Swish this mixture in the mouth for about 4 minutes before spitting it out.
3. Do not swallow any of the liquid.
4. Do it daily until the desired color reach.

 

Other whitening alternatives

There are plenty of whitening products and home-remedy alternatives out there. Below are a few examples:

Baking soda

• Baking soda is the common name for sodium bicarbonate. It can be used to remove stains and discolorations from the outer layer of the teeth, giving the teeth a whiter and brighter appearance. To use it, mix the baking soda with water and apply it using a toothbrush.
  

  

Apple Cider Vinegar

• You can also mix this product with baking soda instead of water. This helps remove stains and whiten your teeth. Just combine two parts of apple cider vinegar to one part of baking soda to make a whitening paste. Apply as you would with baking soda and water.

Citrus fruit peels 

• The compound called d-limonene or citric acid, found in some citrus fruit peels, is believed to help whiten teeth. Do this by rubbing fruit peels on your teeth for about 2 minutes. Rinse thoroughly and brush your teeth afterward.

 

Conclusion!

Hydrogen peroxide is an inexpensive tooth whitening product you can easily acquire.

It is an effective way to whiten teeth once use carefully and correctly. But if used incorrectly can cause serious and sometimes expensive tooth damage.

Choosing this agent to whiten your teeth can be quite risky. So proceed so with caution. Should you encounter any mishaps and concerns, remember to check up on your dentist, who can give you better advice for your dental health.