Teeth Whitening and Hydrogen Peroxide | Sherwood Dental Care (2024)

Does gargling with hydrogen peroxide whiten teeth and would it affect any fillings that I have?

Teeth Whitening and Hydrogen Peroxide | Sherwood Dental Care (1)The short answer is “No, it will not whiten your teeth and it will not harm well-fitting permanent fillings.”

What are my options for Teeth Whitening?

Interestingly, many take home whitening gels are 10% carbamide peroxide gel which breaks down to 3% hydrogen peroxide in your mouth. It is the 3% hydrogen peroxide that does the bulk of the whitening. Over the counter hydrogen peroxide solutions are also usually 3% hydrogen peroxide.

Unfortunately, with over the counter hydrogen peroxide solution it is virtually impossible to keep active hydrogen peroxide on your teeth for long enough to whiten them. Generally at this concentration you would need to have your teeth in contact with the 3% hydrogen peroxide for about 5 hours a day for about 2-3 weeks to have meaningful tooth whitening, which is very difficult to do with a watery liquid. Your body makes an enzyme called hydrogen peroxidase which quickly inactivates hydrogen peroxide.

10% carbamide peroxide whitening gel is designed to keep releasing hydrogen peroxide and hold it against your teeth for 5+ hours. Whitening gels also generally have a desensitizing agent since hydrogen peroxide in contact with your teeth for that long can temporarily make them sensitive.

There are substantially higher concentrations of whitening gel available, but often temporary sensitivity can be a problem. The advantage of higher concentrations is they allow you to whiten your teeth in less time (faster).

Rather than gargle with hydrogen peroxide you could get Mentadent toothpaste which has hydrogen peroxide in it, but again don’t expect any meaningful whitening.

Before you get your chemistry kits out, you can buy whitening touch-up kits in our office (if you have trays) with Zoom whitening gel (which I feel is the best money can buy) currently for $19 if you are a patient. You can have molds made and custom trays made with whitening gel currently for $98.

Probably the best over the counter option is Crest Whitening Strips which do work, but are not as effective as custom whitening trays.

Teeth Whitening and Hydrogen Peroxide | Sherwood Dental Care (2024)

FAQs

Teeth Whitening and Hydrogen Peroxide | Sherwood Dental Care? ›

Generally at this concentration you would need to have your teeth in contact with the 3% hydrogen peroxide for about 5 hours a day for about 2-3 weeks to have meaningful tooth whitening, which is very difficult to do with a watery liquid.

Can hydrogen peroxide reverse periodontal disease? ›

Because it can kill harmful bacteria and break up plaque, dental professionals have been using hydrogen peroxide since the early 1900s to prevent and treat periodontitis. Along with treating gum disease, killing bacteria also effectively treats bad breath (halitosis).

Does brushing your teeth with hydrogen peroxide whiten them? ›

Hydrogen peroxide is an inexpensive household product you probably have on hand right now. When used carefully, it can be an effective way to whiten your teeth. But if used incorrectly — in concentrations that are too high or if used too often — it can cause serious and sometimes expensive tooth damage.

What happens if you use too much hydrogen peroxide on teeth? ›

When used in high concentrations over an extended period of time, hydrogen peroxide can damage the protective enamel on your teeth and lead to problems such as: Teeth sensitivity. Cavities and tooth loss. Irritation and inflammation in the teeth and gums.

How long does 6% hydrogen peroxide take to whiten teeth? ›

Boutique Whitening by Day is a 6% hydrogen peroxide gel. Hydrogen peroxide breaks down very quickly and most of the whitening e ect takes place in the first half an hour, but in order to get the full e ect of the gel, we recommend at least 1.5 hours of wear time.

Does hydrogen peroxide dissolve tartar? ›

Using hydrogen peroxide in caring for teeth and gums eliminates harmful bacteria. This cuts down the formation of plaque and tartar. This powerful antiseptic can deteriorate the bacteria in plaque. Some dentists use hydrogen peroxide as a more efficient way to remove the plaque and tartar from teeth.

How do you treat receding gums with hydrogen peroxide? ›

Hydrogen Peroxide Rinse – A mix of water and hydrogen peroxide can help treat sore, red, or swollen gums. To use hydrogen peroxide for receding gums combine 1/4 cup of 3 percent hydrogen peroxide with 1/4 cup of water, swish for 30 seconds, and spit it out. This can be repeated two to three times a week.

Can I brush my teeth every night with hydrogen peroxide? ›

Hydrogen peroxide removes stains from your teeth, making them feel smooth and clean. However, this can be dangerous if you use too much of the product or apply it too often. If you do this more than once a day or week, then there is a chance that your enamel can become eroded.

Why not to use hydrogen peroxide on teeth? ›

Is Hydrogen Peroxide Safe for Whitening Your Teeth? Hydrogen peroxide can be damaging to your gums, your tongue, and your tooth enamel, leading to painful decay that could be costly to repair.

Is it safe to swish with hydrogen peroxide to whiten teeth? ›

For the past 60 years or so, swishing with hydrogen peroxide has been a “whitening fad” in oral health regimens. Usually store-bought hydrogen peroxide has a concentration of about 3%, so it's safe for your mouth. At only 3% hydrogen peroxide and 97% water, it's so unstable that it can just turn into water over time.

What percentage of peroxide is best for teeth whitening? ›

Tooth whitening is most often done using peroxide-based bleaching agents. At-home systems contain from 3% to 20% peroxide (carbamide or hydrogen peroxides). In-office systems contain from 15% to 43% peroxide. Generally, the stronger the solution and the longer you keep it on your teeth, the whiter your teeth become.

Is it bad to swish with hydrogen peroxide everyday? ›

If correctly used, hydrogen peroxide is safe for most people. However, it can be harmful to your teeth if you use it too often or make the concentration too strong. It is important to know that you should not use food-grade hydrogen peroxide to gargle since it contains more than 35% concentration.

What is the best tooth whitening product? ›

The Best Teeth Whitening Kits, According to Dentists
  • OpalescenceGo Prefilled Teeth Whitening Trays, Set of 10. ...
  • Burst Prefilled Whitening Trays, Set of 3. ...
  • PhilipsZoom NiteWhite Kit, Set of 3. ...
  • Dr. ...
  • Colgate Optic White ComfortFit Teeth Whitening Kit. ...
  • Auraglow Teeth Whitening Kit. ...
  • Crest3D Whitestrips, Pack of 22.
Sep 20, 2023

What is the maximum hydrogen peroxide for teeth? ›

The law surrounding tooth whitening remains unchanged and it is illegal for tooth whitening products which contain more than 6% hydrogen peroxide or for any associated products which release greater than 6% hydrogen peroxide to be supplied or administered for cosmetic purposes.

Does peroxide permanently whiten teeth? ›

Does gargling with hydrogen peroxide whiten teeth and would it affect any fillings that I have? The short answer is “No, it will not whiten your teeth and it will not harm well-fitting permanent fillings.”

When is the best time of day to whiten your teeth? ›

The pores in your teeth are slightly more open and can more easily allow stains in. Smile Brilliant and dentist professionals recommend whitening before bed as it reduces the opportunity for staining and gives your teeth the night to begin rehydrating and remineralizing.

What kills the bacteria that causes periodontitis? ›

Antibiotics. Topical or oral antibiotics can help control bacterial infection. Topical antibiotics can include antibiotic mouth rinses or putting gel containing an antibiotic into gum pockets. Sometimes oral antibiotics are needed to get of bacteria that cause infections.

How did I cured my periodontal disease? ›

Gum disease isn't curable, but it's manageable with appropriate treatment. You can't cure it because once you lose structural support around your teeth, you don't usually get all of it back. However, periodontal treatment can reduce infection and rebuild your bone and tissue to some degree.

Does peroxide and baking soda help periodontal disease? ›

Studies have shown that baking soda and peroxide together can kill some of the bugs that cause gum disease, reduce plaque and reduce gum inflammation. Did you know that it can also whiten teeth? Stir mixture into paste-like consistency.

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