putting peroxide straight on your teeth?

Question

if you say, put peroxide directly on your teeth with a cotton swab, and then rinse, will your teeth get a bit whiter in a not-too-bad-for-you way?

Answer 1

You may be taking it to extremes with the cotton tip applicator. A lot of people use peroxide and water as a rinse or gargle. It's not harmful to the enamel of your teeth and may whiten them over time.

Additional information: I hate to burst your bubble Adam S, but the use of peroxide and mouthwashes that contain this oxidizing agent have been considered to be a "possible cause" of black hairy tongue.

Get your facts straight before saying someone is incorrect, nichole h is correct with her answer and the site listed, sorry Adam S.

The little brown bottle has been around a long time and is used in dental procedures frequently. That alone should tell you that it is safe to use, if you use it as directed. You may find faster results with dental bleaching trays and solutions.

I like to believe that most people have enough intelligence to know better than to put Clorox or hair bleach on their teeth. Although how this arose from the question ask is beyond me. Maybe reading the question would help, its about hydrogen peroxide whitening teeth, not bleach.

Excellent answer nichole h, you will make an exceptional hygienist!

Answer 2

To be horribly honest, the only method to having your teeth whitened fast is to visit your general dentist in order to have a bleaching done. Hydrogen peroxide will kill plaque, the bacteria that build up between the gums and the teeth. When the plaque is gone, the gums become healthier, and inherit a darker pink color. This change gives the illusion of whiter teeth. For whiter teeth without bleaching, simply keep with brushing, flossing, and using mouthwash twice a day. Brushing should take more than 2-3 minutes, and be sure to get the gums and tongue along with the teeth.

Answer 3

I put peroxide in my mouth for about 5 minutes. It works, and it's already diluted as they won't sell strong peroxide to the public.

Answer 4

If you're using 3% drugstore variety hydrogen peroxide, you're fine.

You'll probably get better results using it as a mouthwash though. Listerine Whitening mouthwash is exactly this - hydrogen peroxide with some flavoring.

Don't use the 30% peroxide solutions they sell for hair bleaching. That would probably eat a hole in your oral mucosa. (Though your teeth would be sparkling!)

EDIT: I reviewed Nicole H's answer and the link she provided. Her information is incorrect. In fact, the link she provides suggests using hydrogen peroxide to TREAT a black hairy tongue.

Answer 5

Stay away from the professional teeth whitening procedures and from the whitening at home kits. They are using extremely toxic chemicals that can cause IRREVERSIBLE DAMAGE TO TOOTH ENAMEL and premature tooth decay.

Check out this site: http://www.naturalwhiteteeth.net - It's about how you can whiten your teeth 100% naturally. Same results but 100% safe and 1000 times cheaper.

Answer 6

Just to warn you, prolonged use can result in a black hairy tongue. Here is the website to prove it:

"Regular use of mouthwashes containing oxidizing agents, such as peroxide, or astringent agents, such as witch hazel or menthol"

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/black-hairy-tongue/HQ00325

Also, if you do decide to use it, it says right on the bottle to dilute it with water --> 50% water and 50% peroxide

EDIT: Here is what the website says (also my dental hygiene instructor of 30+ years informed us that prolonged use of peroxide can cause a black hairy tongue)

"In some cases, the cause of black, coated tongue can't be determined. However, some potential causes include:

Changes in the normal bacteria or yeast content of the mouth following antibiotic treatment
Poor oral hygiene
Medications containing bismuth, such as Pepto-Bismol
-->Regular use of mouthwashes containing oxidizing agents, such as peroxide, or astringent agents, such as witch hazel or menthol
Tobacco use
Drinking excessive amounts of coffee or tea
Some tips for removing the discoloration include:

Gently brush your tongue with a toothbrush twice a day.
-->Rinse your mouth with diluted hydrogen peroxide (one part peroxide to five parts water) or apply it with a toothbrush. Rinse your mouth with water afterward.
If this doesn't resolve the problem, consult your dentist or doctor. If the discoloration is due to bacterial overgrowth, antibiotics may be prescribed."

Maybe if you do choose to rinse with hydrogen peroxide you should dilute immensly.

Answer 7

i take a swig and gargle everyday with it and it get on my teeth,,,, just dont drink it though

Answer 8

use it! it does work! and it helps sores in your mouth go away too.