Does hydrogen peroxide clear your teeth? Is it wrong to use it in your mouth?

Expert answer:

Hydrogen peroxide Does not lighten teeth, although hydrogen peroxide, which is hydrogen peroxide, is used in bleaching gels. However, hydrogen peroxide sold in pharmacies has a very low concentration of hydrogen peroxide and does not contain the compounds that give this substance more stability.

To whiten the teeth, hydrogen peroxide should have a much higher concentration, being a completely different product from the whitening gel.

The feeling of clean teeth that people refer to is related to the fact that hydrogen peroxide remove tooth enamel and with it the stains and the dirt.

The demineralization of the enamel leaves it porous and favors the accumulation of food and the formation of stains, increasing the need for more mouthwashes. It's a vicious cycle.

Does it make bad use of hydrogen peroxide in the mouth?

It makes bad use of hydrogen peroxide in the mouth, for several reasons:

  • Hydrogen peroxide, when broken inside the body, releases free radicals, which is associated with aging tissues and some cancers;
  • May cause irritation and injury to the oral mucosa, throat and gum, which may have a carcinogenic potential, ie, may lead to the development of oral cancer;
  • It can destroy the enamel, dentin, cement, pulp and gum;
  • In addition to oxygenated water promote the development of oral cancer, it potentiates the effect of other agents inducing cancer of mouth, throat, esophagus, stomach and intestine, such as cigarette, alcohol, virus, among others;
  • The hydrogen peroxide leaves the buccal mucosa and gingiva red due to aggression, with onset of dissolution of the tissues and inflammation;
  • It burns and may even necrotic (kill cells) of the gum papules;
  • Demineralizes the enamel of the enamel, leaving it more porous, which causes the food to make it even dirtier.

Teeth whitening should be done by a dentist and even if the patient opts for a home-made method with a whitening gel, there should be professional supervision.