Plaque that forms on the teeth contains a slimy film of bacteria called a biofilm. Hydrogen peroxide releases oxygen that helps destroy the bacteria. A randomized trial divided 53 participants into groups to test hydrogen peroxide as a treatment for gum disease.
One group received root debridement and hydrogen peroxide, and the other group just received root debridement.
The results indicated that the hydrogen peroxide group had significantly fewer signs of gum disease by the end of the study, compared to the group that had received root debridement alone. One advantage of gargling with a hydrogen peroxide solution is it can reach the back of the mouth and spots that may be hard to reach with dental floss.
Gargling with hydrogen peroxide may help treat minor mouth irritations, such as cuts or canker sores, because it is an antiseptic. When put on a cut, hydrogen peroxide bubbles or foams as it releases oxygen.
The foaming helps clean the area, remove dead cells, and reduce bacteria. Hydrogen peroxide needs time to work. Since gargling is relatively quick, it will not kill all the bacteria in the mouth, but it may reduce the count.
It is important to know how to use a hydrogen peroxide solution correctly to get the most benefits and avoid unwanted side effects. Hydrogen peroxide is safe for most people if they use it correctly. However, the compound can be harmful if a person uses it too often or if the concentration is too strong. People should never gargle with food-grade hydrogen peroxide, which has a concentration of 35 percent. If a person accidentally swallows it, this can lead to serious gastrointestinal problems.
When mixing the solution, avoid inhaling hydrogen peroxide, as it can cause irritation in the lungs. The compound can also irritate the eyes, so when spitting out the solution, take care to prevent it from splashing back toward the face.
This all depends on the concentration of peroxide and how you use it. Because hydrogen peroxide is a highly reactive substance, high concentrations or prolonged exposure can damage oral tissue and your teeth. A journal review from showed that the use of hydrogen peroxide in low concentrations does not damage hard or soft tissue in the mouth but can provide many different oral health benefits. Chances are when you have cut yourself, you have applied hydrogen peroxide to your wound.
When applied, this peroxide works to kill bacteria and disinfect the wound. When used for oral care, the idea is similar. Hydrogen peroxide works to kill bacteria in the mouth and break up complex molecules, helping to improve oral health. When it comes to improving your smile, you may consider teeth whitening treatments or home whitening products. Hydrogen peroxide easily passes into the tooth and breaks up these molecules, reducing the appearance of discoloration.
In offices, whitening treatments use higher peroxide concentrations for shorter periods and under supervision. However, studies have shown that the use of peroxide mouthwashes can achieve effective whitening over time, though it will not achieve as significant color change as a whitening treatment with carbamide peroxide gel.
If you suffer from minor mouth irritations, such as canker sores, the antiseptic properties of hydrogen peroxide can provide some relief. The hydrogen peroxide will kill the bacteria responsible for the canker sore or irritation, helping the irritation heal.
Just like peroxide bubbles up to kill the infection in a wound on your skin, you may experience bubbling on the mouth sore. Because you only gargle for a short time, one treatment may not kill all the bacteria, but it will reduce the number of bacteria and help your canker sore or irritation heal. If you are experiencing a sore throat, you may have a bacterial infection.
Hydrogen peroxide can even whiten your teeth. The oxygen released by hydrogen peroxide can pass easily into the enamel of your teeth, where it can break down stain-causing molecules and leave behind whiter, brighter teeth.
To gain the full, long-lasting whitening effect, you will need to gargle with hydrogen peroxide consistently over the course of about three months. The best teeth whitening is done at your dentist , who can use stronger solutions and advanced procedures to white your teeth. Gargling with hydrogen peroxide helps soothe a sore throat. The antibacterial properties of hydrogen peroxide kill the bacteria that can cause sore throats.
The bubbling action — caused by the release of oxygen — can help loosen mucus that often accompanies sore throats. There are some risks associated with gargling with hydrogen peroxide. Swallowing hydrogen peroxide can irritate the tissues in your throat; swallowing undiluted hydrogen peroxide can even burn the organs of your digestive tract and cause bleeding there.
See WebMD for risks and directions for use. Caution is warranted when patients overuse peroxide as a rinse: oral rinses can disrupt the healthy balance of bacteria in the mouth presenting as black hairy tongue, a harmless yet unsightly discoloration of papillae. Brushing the tongue and drinking more water will help prevent this.
Nystatin may be needed for more severe cases. Just one important reminder. It is always a good practice to check in with your family physician when trying things like the above. They know your personal health situation and can give you medical advise related to your specific situation, and if you have any contraindications to do the above. Because they know your specific situation it is best to follow the advice of your medical physician.
I am doing this with my own family and sharing this with my extended family and friends as well. I encourage each one of you to do the same. As this is an effective practice, that few are aware of, I hope it is something that will give each of you more comfort in this stressful time.
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