Products that contain hydrogen peroxide might help brighten your smile if you use them correctly.

By 

Claire Gillespie

Updated on October 17, 2023

 Medically reviewed by 

Edmund Khoo, DDS

Hydrogen peroxide whitens teeth by removing stains and dissolving chemical compounds that make your teeth look yellow.¹ This chemical compound has strong bleaching properties and might harm your enamel at high concentrations, so is 3% hydrogen peroxide safe for teeth whitening? Teeth-whitening products available over the counter generally contain less than 10% hydrogen peroxide and are safe.²

You may have wondered about all teeth whitening or "bleaching" products on the market. After all, who does not want a bright, white smile? Read on to learn about hydrogen peroxide, including how it whitens teeth effectively and safely.

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Is It Effective?

The American Dental Association (ADA) says hydrogen peroxide effectively whitens teeth.¹ Many oral care products, such as mouthwashes and toothpaste, use hydrogen peroxide to brighten and whiten your teeth. Hydrogen peroxide whitens teeth by physically removing stains or using a chemical reaction that brightens the color.³

"In teeth whitening products, [hydrogen peroxide] works to dissolve stains," Lisa Creaven, DDS, co-founder of Spotlight Oral Care, told Health. "Teeth are gradually and safely whitened without damaging tooth health."

Hydrogen peroxide is an acidic chemical compound with strong bleaching properties.³ Manufacturers typically dilute hydrogen peroxide with a whitening product to prevent damage to the enamel and gums. Enamel covers your teeth and protects them from cavities.⁴ Research has found that toothpaste with 1% hydrogen peroxide effectively whitens teeth.⁵

 The 7 Best Teeth Whitening Products for Sensitive Teeth of 2023

Is It Safe?

Hydrogen peroxide is generally safe as an ingredient in commercial whitening products.³ Over-the-counter (OTC) teeth whitening products typically use low concentrations, no more than 10%, of hydrogen peroxide.² The treatments you can get at a dentist's office might have more than that.²

Low concentrations of hydrogen peroxide are typically safe for long-term use but may make your gums sensitive. Limiting applications or giving yourself rest periods between sessions can help you avoid those issues.

"Prolonged bleaching with these high concentrations of hydrogen peroxide, especially when used multiple days in a row, can lead to highly irritated gums and sensitive teeth," Chris Strandburg, DDS, a dentist based in California, told Health.

"Gum irritation can get severe if more bleaching is done when the gums are already irritated," said Strandburg. "Tooth sensitivity is usually temporary, but significant bleaching can increase tooth sensitivity permanently with long-term use."

Benefits

You will find hydrogen peroxide in mouthwashes, toothpaste, and various whitening products, including gels, pens, and strips. Those products allow hydrogen peroxide to come into close contact with your teeth, breaking down stains and brightening the overall shade of the tooth.¹

"Hydrogen peroxide has a long track record of safety for bleaching teeth without significantly affecting the strength of tooth enamel," said Dr. Strandburg.

Some evidence suggests that hydrogen peroxide helps improve oral health by removing plaque and other bacteria that cause gingivitis, a gum disease. Hydrogen peroxide might reduce inflammation caused by gingivitis.⁶

Side Effects

Although hydrogen peroxide is generally safe, there are some risks to consider. You might avoid risks by using products only as a dentist or the label directs.³

Side effects of hydrogen peroxide include:³

• Changes the color of or degrades bridges, crowns, or dental implants

• Erodes enamel

• Increases tooth sensitivity

• Irritates gums

• Roughens or softens the surfaces of your teeth

How To Do It

There are many ways to whiten teeth using hydrogen peroxide, including at-home and in-office techniques. OTC products typically whiten teeth slower than in-office techniques and might take days to weeks.⁷ Dentists use stronger hydrogen peroxide concentrations than OTC products. Some evidence suggests limiting yourself to four in-office sessions that last 15–20 minutes.²

A dentist can recommend what OTC products to use and what concentrations to look for.⁷ For example, you might limit your first course to between seven and 14 sessions, said Dr. Strandburg. Let your gums and teeth rest for at least 24 hours between sessions to be safe.

"Once you have achieved the level of whitening you want [over the course of three to 10 days], wait at least another six to 12 months before whitening again," Heather Kunen, DDS, an orthodontist based in New York, told Health.

Brushing Teeth With Hydrogen Peroxide

Brushing your teeth with whitening toothpaste that contains hydrogen peroxide might brighten teeth by one to two shades. They typically contain low concentrations of hydrogen peroxide and no bleach.³ Brush your teeth at least twice daily for two minutes.⁸

Whitening toothpaste is available over the counter, typically at grocery stores or online. Look for a whitening toothpaste with an ADA Seal of Acceptance. You may ask a dentist for recommendations.⁷

Swishing With Hydrogen Peroxide

Some whitening mouthwashes use hydrogen peroxide to react with and dissolve the chemical compounds that stain your teeth. Use those mouthwashes as a dentist or the label instructs, typically twice daily for 60 seconds. You might need to use mouthwash for about three months before your teeth brighten one to two shades.³

You can make a whitening solution by diluting hydrogen peroxide with water for a 1:1 ratio, noted Dr. Kunen. Be cautious about creating your own hydrogen peroxide whitening mixture at home. Check with a dentist beforehand.

"The bleaching agent can badly burn your gums and damage enamel if the concentration is too strong," added Dr. Kunen. 

Teeth Whitening at Home

Hydrogen peroxide is not the only teeth-whitening ingredient out there. Several do-it-yourself and OTC products claim to whiten teeth. Those methods might be cheaper than hydrogen peroxide. However, there's limited evidence to support whether alternative methods are effective or safe.¹

Here are other ingredients that people use to whiten teeth:⁴¹

• Baking soda: This is not a true bleaching agent, but it might help lift stains from your teeth, said Dr. Kunen.

• Carbamide peroxide: This is a combination of carbamide and hydrogen peroxide. Carbamide peroxide works slightly more slowly but has a longer shelf life than hydrogen peroxide.  

• Charcoal: This is a common teeth-whitening ingredient, but use it cautiously. Charcoal removes the outermost layer of the enamel, which alters your tooth structure. Oral care products with charcoal may make your teeth dull and rough, causing a yellower appearance than before.  

• Oils and spices: Some say that swishing coconut oil (oil pulling) or using turmeric might whiten teeth, but no research supports whether that's true.

• Pthalimidoperoxycaproic acid (PAP): This formula is less harsh on your enamel and gum tissues than hydrogen peroxide, noted Dr. Kunen.

It's always best to talk with a dentist first, no matter which teeth-whitening method you choose. They can make sure your gums and teeth are in good shape. 

"Dentists have the health of your mouth as their first priority, so making them part of your routine will ensure excellent oral health throughout your life," noted Dr. Creaven.

Prevention

Some of the most common causes of enamel erosion, which yellows your teeth, and stains include acidic fruits, candy, soda, and soft drinks. Limiting your intake of those foods and drinks might help prevent teeth staining.⁹

Other ways to prevent teeth staining include:⁹

• Chewing sugarless gum: This keeps saliva in your mouth, which neutralizes acids that erode enamel.

• Drinking soda using a straw: This helps prevent soda from touching your teeth. Make sure that you avoid holding or swishing soda in your mouth.

• Pairing acidic fruits with other foods: Eating citrus fruits and tomatoes with calcium-rich foods or drinks helps neutralize their acids.

• Rinsing your mouth out: Swish water around after eating acidic foods or drinking soda to help remove acids. Waiting at least one hour to brush your teeth afterward allows enamel to reharden and helps your saliva remove acids.

 The 11 Best Teeth Whiteners To Tackle Tough Stains

A Quick Review

Teeth-whitening products often use hydrogen peroxide to remove stains and dissolve chemical compounds that yellow your teeth. Those products are available over the counter, or you can receive treatments at a dentist’s office. In-office techniques use higher concentrations than OTC products.

Talk to a dentist about what teeth-whitening products are safe and how to use them. Look for the ADA Seal of Acceptance and only use products as a dentist or label instructs. Hydrogen peroxide might harm your enamel at high concentrations or if you use it too often.