Is it safe to use hydrogen peroxide to whiten teeth?

Originally, Hydrogen peroxide is a strong colorless liquid, which is used as a bleaching agent, oxidizing agent, and as an antiseptic (disinfecting agent).

Does hydrogen peroxide whiten teeth and how?

Yes, it does. Hydrogen peroxide is a powerful tooth whitening remedy. The mechanism of H₂O₂, or Hydrogen peroxide, is this: when hydrogen peroxide breaks apart, it produces free radicals that contain oxygen. As oxygen is an active bleaching molecule, it interacts with pigment (stain) molecules and whitens teeth.

Hydrogen peroxide VS carbamide peroxide

Another common ingredient found in tooth whitening products is carbamide peroxide.

Both carbamide peroxide and hydrogen peroxide are effective at whitening teeth. Carbamide peroxide in its chemical formula will break down and form urea (carbamide) and hydrogen peroxide, so carbamide peroxide contains hydrogen peroxide in the chemical compound, which the rate can be 1:3. To make it simple, if you see that a product says it is formulated with, for example, 30% carbamide peroxide, this product has around 10% hydrogen peroxide.

If you think that there is a difference between these two peroxides in terms of teeth sensitivity and gum irritation, you should rather not. The main difference is in the chemical composition and the fact that hydrogen peroxide breaks down faster than the carbamide peroxide and, therefore, releases its whitening power earlier compared to carbamide peroxide. This makes the carbamide peroxide remain active for more hours while making hydrogen peroxides to be used for a shorter amount of time.

But they equally have excellent whitening efficacy which explains why peroxide is the favorite bleaching agent used in whitening kits for at-home applications and for dental clinics.

Is hydrogen peroxide safe as teeth whitening?

Yes, hydrogen peroxide is safe as long as used appropriately. The lower the concentration of hydrogen peroxide, also known as “high-test Peroxide” the safer it is for your teeth. Using less-test Peroxide is safe and has lower risks of enamel damage and gum irritation.

Most at-home teeth whitening products contain 3 to 10 percent hydrogen peroxide. There are other products that are formulated with carbamide peroxide, which the percentage can be 35%. The wear time of these at-home teeth whitening products can range from 10 to 30 minutes per each application in a recommended series of days.

It is required that you stick to the time and do not ever overuse hydrogen peroxide tooth whiteners for more than the recommended period because the risks can outweigh the benefits.

Are there any side effects of using hydrogen peroxide?

Teeth sensitivity is the most common side effect associated with hydrogen peroxide teeth whitening. Another issue is gingival (gum) irritation, which can be uncomfortable and lead to ulcerations when the peroxide gel touches your oral soft tissues. Teeth sensitivity is temporary and once you stop using the product or when you use a low concentration of hydrogen peroxide, the risks are reduced.

Gingival irritation can be prevented when the rubber dam is applied during in-office treatment. At-home whitening kits also use mouth trays to avoid the gum irritations by the whitening gel.

Using hydrogen peroxide causes damage to the teeth and will increase problems like burns and irritations in gums or mucous skins if used incorrectly.

The risks of hydrogen peroxide increase when:

• You use high-test Peroxide.
• You use the whitening product frequently and for a prolonged period of time. The length of time that hydrogen peroxide gel, solution, or other forms remain on teeth is important since a longer time causes damage to the enamel of teeth.
• You don’t ask your dentist’s advice.

It is always recommended to ask your dentist and have their opinion before using teeth whitening products or those that have become trendy. The type of stain you have may require treatments by a dentist instead of overusing the store-bought product for more than the recommended time just to remove hard-to-remove stains.    

How about the hydrogen peroxide used by dentists?

Nothing is like teeth whitening done by dentists in a professional treatment. If you want faster and safer teeth whitening, you should visit your dentist for a professional teeth whitening. Dentists can use hydrogen peroxide to remove tooth stains, and the amount used can vary depending on the severity of the stains and the patient’s needs. They will combine this concentration with other materials to decrease any risks.

First thing first, dentists will clean off your teeth of any plaque buildups before your whitening treatment. Dentists will take other precautions and necessary pre- or post-whitening treatments to achieve desired results with less risk of teeth sensitivity and enamel damage. For example, they apply fluoride to help strengthen enamel and soothe sensitivity and use covers to prevent gum irritations.

How to use hydrogen peroxide to whiten teeth safely?

There are two ways to whiten teeth using hydrogen peroxide if you are looking for safer options.

In-office teeth whitening

Professional teeth whitening or in-office whitening treatment is the best way to try for having brighter teeth. You will have the advantages of a licensed dentist that whiten your teeth regarding your dental conditions and your oral health. It is the most expensive way of whitening teeth but can provide better results in the shortest amount of time.

Your dentist can even prescribe a series of home whitening treatments under his supervision when required or when you want to continue your treatment at home. They know what suits you best and which formula of hydrogen peroxide is desired.

At-home teeth whitening

There is a variety of over-the-counter whitening products which come in five common products. If you are interested in whitening your teeth at home with specially-made products that are designed for a professional level of teeth whitening, these products come in many types and costs for your needs. These products have gained popularity in recent years and are made with mostly hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide and can be found in different product ranges. They include:

At-home teeth whitening kits

t-home kits are the most expensive ones on the list. These kits are made to provide the most effective results, which simulate the dentists’ treatment but for home-usage. The kits come with whitening gels usually in serums and sometimes the LED device, which is said to activate the gel and speed up the process. See the best at-home whitening kits.

Teeth whitening strips

Another popular product for teeth whitening using hydrogen peroxide is teeth whitening strips. You have a couple of strips with whitening gels on them. You just need to peel and apply the strips on your teeth for a recommended period of time. Check out the best teeth whitening strips.

Teeth whitening pens

With a pen that contains whitening gel, teeth whitening seems like it has become much handier. Teeth whitening pens have made your job easier with little chance of mess and no more extra work. You have a whitening pen with a safe whitening gel made of hydrogen peroxide that you can brush on the surface of the tooth or teeth that you want whitened.

Whitening toothpaste

If you are looking for a lower percentage of hydrogen peroxide, you can try whitening toothpastes. You can simply brush your teeth while having a whitening experience.

Whitening mouthwash

The lowest percentage of hydrogen peroxide can be found in whitening mouthwashes. There is a small risk of gum or skin irritation when using peroxide, but this can be minimized by rinsing it off thoroughly. Therefore, mouthwashes or even toothpaste should have low-test Peroxide. This is why using whitening mouthwashes are not as effective compared to whitening kits or strips and it is better to use them in conjunction with other products.

How about DIY hydrogen peroxide for teeth whitening?

There are other DIY teeth whitening ways that people can make the mixtures themselves. Although it may sound interesting to make your own hydrogen peroxide solution or paste at home, these DIY methods are not recommended due to higher risks, and dentists’ consultation is a must. By the way, to make hydrogen peroxide rinse or hydrogen peroxide paste, you can do it as follows:

Hydrogen peroxide rinse

1. You should mix one cup of hydrogen peroxide solution (3%) with an equal amount of water (1:1 ratio).
2. Swish the solution for 30 seconds to 1 minute
3. After that, spit the solution out and be careful not to swallow any of the mixtures.

It is recommended to add enough water because the hydrogen peroxide is not diluted as required, it can cause burns and irritation in the gums and your inner mouth skins.

Some people have another method as those that you may have seen on the TikTok or in the Instagram.

1. They dip a piece of clean cotton in the hydrogen peroxide solution and rub it on the teeth
2. Then they let the solution remain on their teeth for 30 seconds to 1 minute
3. Finally, they brush their teeth

Hydrogen peroxide paste

Another method is using baking soda and hydrogen peroxide paste. You can:

1. Mix a few teaspoons of baking soda (2 or 3 teaspoons) in a bowl with a little amount of Hydrogen peroxide
2. Mix until the baking soda and hydrogen peroxide is thick enough to form a paste
3. Put the paste on your teeth and slowly and carefully start brushing for 1 minute. Try as much not to let the paste come into contact with your gums since this is not like your normal toothbrushing with the daily toothpaste you use.
4. Rinse off the paste under the running water and clean your mouth thoroughly with frequent rinsing and swishing

The DIY hydrogen peroxide paste or rinse may be less expensive than other methods, but the increasing risks to teeth and gums are unavoidable. Hydrogen peroxide rinse or paste can cause irreversible damage to enamel such as enamel erosion or it can put your oral health at risks like greater teeth sensitivity and sore and irritating gums with pain.

Should I use hydrogen peroxide on my teeth anyway?

Hydrogen peroxide is an effective and widely used tooth whitener that has been used in professional teeth whitening at the dentists’ offices, too.

In recent years and due to widespread demand for home teeth whitening, companies active in cosmetic dentistry and oral care producers have developed innovative compositions using hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide to whiten teeth.

If used incorrectly, hydrogen peroxide can cause more harm than good. Serious damages to teeth and soft tissue burns are risks that should be kept in mind when you overuse hydrogen peroxide. See your dentist if you have selected to whiten your teeth. Your dentist can provide the best ways depending on the tooth discoloration you have.

Why causes tooth discoloration?

Teeth discolor due to many reasons like:

• Poor oral health
• Foods and drinks you consume, such as coffee, tea, carbonated drinks, sauces, carb-rich diets, high-sugar foods/drinks, and some fruits like berries or citrus fruits
• Smoking and tobacco use
• Certain medications, such as tetracycline   
• Genetics or disorders
• Aging due to longtime wear and tear on the tooth’s enamel, the dentin underneath is exposed to higher risks

Are there alternatives to hydrogen peroxide?

If you are looking for a non-peroxide teeth whitening, Pthalimidoperoxycaproic acid (PAP) is another highly popular whitening formula that you can whiten your teeth effectively and professionally. The specially-made Pthalimidoperoxycaproic acid (PAP) is a bleaching alternative to try.

Teeth whitening brands like Hismile and Smile Avenue are based on PAP whitening formula.

The team behind Hismile teeth whitening products has developed PAP+ using ingredients such as hydroxyapatite and potassium citrate. Hydroxyapatite is a remineralizing agent that helps strengthen enamel and build lost minerals in teeth, while potassium citrate is a desensitizing ingredient to reduce teeth sensitivity, which is a common problem in teeth whitening.

Frequently asked questions around hydrogen peroxide