The substance produced by the combination of oxygen and hydrogen is called hydrogen peroxide. It is actually a weak acid but with very strong oxidizing properties, it can be effectively used to whiten discolored teeth. Hydrogen peroxide can be found in many teeth whitening products sold in the market nowadays. However, although whitening toothpastes, mouth washes and other oral disinfectants contain hydrogen peroxide, the best way to get optimal results from the substance in terms of teeth whitening is apply it directly on the teeth surface. With careful execution, you can perform hydrogen peroxide teeth whitening by yourself at the convenience of your own home. This article will teach you how.
Selecting the Right Solution
Hydrogen peroxide is often available in 3% or 10% solutions, with the latter being more effective in teeth whitening. However, because the substance can cause gum sensitivity, it is most advisable for you to start with the 3% solution since it has lesser concentration of hydrogen peroxide. Nonetheless, if you can handle the burning sensations caused by the reaction of your gums to hydrogen peroxide, you may opt for the stronger solution immediately. You can easily do away with any discomfort caused by the solution by rinsing your mouth with water.
Home-made Hydrogen Peroxide/Baking Soda “Tooth Paste”
The most popular home-made hydrogen peroxide mixture is one made by combining baking soda and hydrogen peroxide. The resulting mixture will have a consistency similar to a paper paste. Grocery-bought baking soda will do just fine but if you want to add a little flavor or scent to your mixture, you may put some of your favorite flavored tooth paste into the mixture; adding a little table salt will also enhance the exfoliation property of the mixture. As a piece of reminder, this mixture is not safe for ingestion and should be used in place of your tooth paste only once or twice in a week. It is also advantageous if you set aside a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution and use it in rinsing your mouth every after brushing using your hydrogen peroxide/baking soda “tooth paste”.
Ready to Use Hydrogen Peroxide Teeth Whitening Products
Instead of making the mixture on your own, you can also buy over the counter whitening products that can be used at home. Most of these products contain a combination of carbamide peroxide and hydrogen peroxide solutions and are sold in many kinds of variants. Some come in liquid form and has to be used together with a teeth whitening tray while some are in the form of gels or strips which can be applied directly on the teeth surface. Over the counter products are usually more effective because they are specially formulated by chemists who specialize in teeth whitening studies and innovations. Alongside such whitening products, it is also helpful if you also use whitening tooth pastes when brushing your teeth to enhance their effects.
Teeth Whitening Safety Notes
The use of hydrogen peroxide in teeth whitening is actually acknowledged by the American Dental Association or ADA. Nonetheless, products that contain hydrogen peroxide (whether home-made or not) should be used properly so that it is not swallowed or ingested by the user. Safety instructions and labels should be carefully read and followed in order to ensure the safe utilization of the products. People with extremely sensitive teeth and gums should first consult their dentists before trying out any product that contains hydrogen peroxide.
En Core Teeth Whitening
If you are really after a long lasting lighter teeth shade, then it is best if you opt for in-office dental treatments which are performed by professional dentists. Although they also use hydrogen peroxide to whiten your teeth, in-office treatments use solutions greater than just 10% concentration. Dentists also use laser technology to hasten the oxidation of the teeth surface as caused by the application of hydrogen peroxide. After applying the whitening solution, the teeth are exposed to laser for about 30 to 60 minutes. The effects are already visible right after the treatment.
Although in-office dental treatments costs more than the other teeth whitening methods presented in this article, the treatment remains to be the most popular option amongst those who are really after rapid and visible results.
