Teeth whitening with hydrogen peroxide is the second most popular home whitening procedure after whitening with baking soda.
Most dental whitening gels and hair dyes contain a high percentage of hydrogen peroxide. This is the main confirmation that the remedy is effective.
Compared to soda, hydrogen peroxide does not give results immediately, but after a while, whitens teeth gradually. This is due to the fact that peroxide has not a mechanical, but a chemical effect. Solid particles of soda acts like emery, so a tangible result can be seen after the first application. If we compare the harm of these substances, then the negative effect of soda is many times greater than the negative effect of peroxide.
Safety of teeth whitening with peroxide
The effect of teeth whitening in this case is achieved due to the oxidation reaction. And this means that the procedure is not absolutely safe. During the reaction, the peroxide breaks down into water and carbon dioxide. Unfortunately, in the process, the enamel is not only lightened, but also thinned. In addition, peroxide irritates the mucous membrane of the oral cavity. And although some people prefer to use not H2O2, but carbamide peroxide, the principle does not change from this.
For this reason, this whitening method is recommended for people with gum disease and those who have an increased sensitivity of tooth enamel. You can learn about the strength of enamel by drinking cold or hot water. If at the same time there are unpleasant sensations, the enamel is too sensitive.
With the help of hydrogen peroxide, many age spots and yellow plaque can be removed from tooth enamel. At the same time, it is advisable to use peroxide not higher than 3-7% at home. The procedure must be carried out very carefully, as improper or too frequent use of the drug can lead to complete loss of tooth enamel. And these are irreversible changes. With inaccurate whitening, you can also get bleeding gums or a chemical burn. Therefore, in pursuit of a "Hollywood" smile, the procedure should not be abused. You should also be careful for those people who have been assigned to gargle with peroxide as a disinfectant. In this case, it is necessary to use not a substance in its pure form, but a weak solution diluted with water.
Enamel whitening at home
- After brushing your teeth, rinse your mouth with hydrogen peroxide. At this point, try not to swallow the liquid. After that, soak a cotton pad in peroxide and wipe your teeth with it. Then you need to rinse your mouth again, but with plain water;
- Brushing your teeth with a brush dipped in hydrogen peroxide. This method is more effective, as the bristles of the brush can penetrate into the most inaccessible places, which is beyond the power of a regular cotton swab. At the end of the session, the mouth must also be rinsed with water;
- peroxide and soda. The greatest clarification can be achieved if 10-12 g of soda is wetted with 3% hydrogen peroxide. Then you need to mix to get a mass that resembles thick sour cream in consistency and brush your teeth with it as usual. In this case, it is not recommended to brush your teeth for more than 3 minutes. At the end, rinse your mouth with water;
- Using caps with brightening gel. Mouthguards are special designs made of silicone or plastic that need to be worn on the upper and lower dentition. They are made in a dental clinic according to a personal cast of the patient's teeth. They do not need any special care, just rinse under running water after use. The main function of the cap is to create contact between the gel and the teeth and prevent peroxide from getting on the gums. Before putting on a mouthguard on the teeth, it must be filled with a gel either on hydrogen peroxide or on carbamide peroxide. At the same time, the second one has a milder effect, since it contains a smaller percentage of the active substance. It is even used for overnight home whitening of teeth. Moreover, all preparations, without exception, contain strengthening substances, including fluorine, potassium, glycerin and various oils.
Note that dentists never use undiluted hydrogen peroxide. At the same time, the composition of all preparations includes substances that envelop and strengthen the enamel. Whitening properties are not reduced from this.
Based on all this, we can conclude that teeth whitening in the dentist's office is the most effective and harmless, although it will cost more. Before teeth whitening, the dentist conducts a thorough examination, identifies contraindications and, if necessary, pre-treats. The doctor can choose the most suitable gel for a particular patient, determine the time that the mouthguards should be on the teeth. Unless, of course, after the examination, he will allow the procedure to be carried out at all.
