Everyone wants white teeth, but most people think that teeth whiting has to involve nasty chemicals and wasteful plastic strips. That doesn’t have to be the case, though. There are all-natural options that can help to whiten your teeth without harsh chemicals or whitening strips. While there are great options, including things you should already be doing, like eating fruit, that help whiten your teeth, hydrogen peroxide is a popular option with a proven track record. [3]
Why Hydrogen Peroxide?
Despite its chemical-sounding name, hydrogen peroxide is a natural bleaching agent that whitens through oxidation, which breaks down the chemicals that cause teeth to turn yellow. Hydrogen peroxide has been used for centuries as an antiseptic, and it is generally considered safe to use in the mouth when it is heavily diluted. Using undiluted hydrogen peroxide or using hydrogen peroxide with open wounds is not recommended because there is evidence to suggest it may promote cancer cell growth. [1]
Hydrogen peroxide is listed as one of the active ingredients in many commercially available whitening products and toothpastes. It’s clearly effective, and the big companies are benefiting from it, so why shouldn’t you? [2]
How to Whiten Your Teeth With Hydrogen Peroxide
There are two main ways you can use hydrogen peroxide to whiten your teeth. First, you can mix it with water to make a mouthwash. Or, you can use baking soda with hydrogen peroxide to make toothpaste.
Using hydrogen peroxide as a mouthwash is probably the easiest way to whiten your teeth with it. Most hydrogen peroxide you buy in the store will be diluted to 3%. To use it as mouthwash, you probably want to get it to 1.5% or lower. So, you’ll need to mix it with water (filtered is best) at a 50:50 ratio. Then, you can use it like you would any other mouthwash, though it might be a good idea to flush your mouth out with water after you use it.
Baking soda is another great way to whiten your teeth naturally. You can mix it with hydrogen peroxide to create your own dual-action whitening toothpaste. Mix a couple of tablespoons of baking soda with about one tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide. You should always use more baking soda and minimal hydrogen peroxide. A 2:1 ratio in favor of the baking soda is a good bet, but you can adjust it for consistency, though water might be better than adding my hydrogen peroxide. Once you have a good consistency, you can brush your teeth as usual. However, be sure not to swallow any of the toothpaste. Hydrogen peroxide may be fairly safe, but eating it is not a good idea.
Whichever method you choose, using hydrogen peroxide once or twice a week is a simple, natural way to whiten and keep your teeth white.
Resources:
1- Tredwin CJ, Naik S, Lewis NJ, Scully C. Hydrogen peroxide tooth-whitening (bleaching) products: Review of adverse effects and safety issues. British Dental Journal. 2006;200(7):371-376. doi:https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.bdj.4813423
2- Gerlach RW, Gibb RD, Sagel PA. A randomized clinical trial comparing a novel 5.3% hydrogen peroxide whitening strip to 10%, 15%, and 20% carbamide peroxide tray-based bleaching systems. Compendium of continuing education in dentistry (Jamesburg, NJ. 2000;(29):S22-8; quiz S42-3. Accessed February 7, 2023. https://europepmc.org/article/med/11908406
3- Joiner A, Thakker G. In vitro evaluation of a novel 6% hydrogen peroxide tooth whitening product. Journal of Dentistry. 2004;32:19-25. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdent.2003.10.007
