Does Hydrogen Peroxide Whiten Teeth? (2025)

Using hydrogen peroxide in a rinse or a paste may help whiten your teeth. But a high concentration may cause side effects, including damaging your teeth.

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Teeth whitening has become more popular in recent years as more products come onto the market. But many of these products can be quite expensive, leading people to look for cheaper remedies.

The most affordable way to whiten teeth at home — and the remedy supported by the most significant body of research — is the main ingredient from most teeth-whitening products: hydrogen peroxide.

Here’s what you need to know: Most hydrogen peroxide bottles you can buy at a drugstore or grocery store are diluted to around 3 percent. The amount of hydrogen peroxide in commercial whitening treatments varies and can be as much as 10 percent in some products.

But studies suggest dilution is a good thing when it comes to using hydrogen peroxide for teeth whitening. Concentrations that are too strong can damage the enamel, or outer coating, of your teeth.

In a 2007 study, scientists applied diluted hydrogen peroxide solutions of 10, 20, and 30 percent to human teeth that had been extracted for varying amounts of time.

They found that higher concentration solutions caused more damage to teeth, as did keeping the teeth in contact with hydrogen peroxide for a longer amount of time.

This suggests that low-concentration treatments of hydrogen peroxide, applied for shorter periods, have the least potential to damage your teeth.

According to a 2004 study, scientists found that a 5 percent hydrogen peroxide solution was just as effective as a 25 percent solution at whitening teeth. But to achieve the same level of whiteness, one would need to whiten teeth with the 5 percent solution 12 times to get the same level of whitening as one time with the 25 percent solution.

This means if you’re using short, low-concentration treatments, you’ll have to perform more treatments to achieve your desired whiteness.

There are two ways: swishing it around your mouth, or mixing it with baking soda and setting it on your teeth as a paste before rinsing.

Using hydrogen peroxide as a rinse

  1. Mix equal amounts hydrogen peroxide with water, such as 1/2 cup to 1/2 cup.
  2. Swish this mixture around your mouth for about 30 seconds to 1 minute.
  3. Stop and spit out the solution if it’s hurting your mouth and try not to swallow any of the mixture.

Using hydrogen peroxide in a paste

  1. Mix a few teaspoons of baking soda in a dish with a small amount of peroxide.
  2. Start to mix the soda and peroxide with a clean spoon.
  3. Keep adding a little bit more peroxide until you get a thick — but not gritty — paste.
  4. Use a toothbrush to apply the paste to your teeth using small circular motions. Brush for no longer than 2 minutes.
  5. Then, thoroughly rinse off the paste by swishing water around your mouth.

Make sure you remove all of the paste before moving on with your day.

Several studies suggest that using hydrogen peroxide — whether in a commercial product or at home — can cause damage to your teeth. The risk of damage increases when you:

  • use a very strong hydrogen peroxide solution, such as concentrations above 3 percent
  • leave the hydrogen peroxide in contact with your teeth for a long time (longer than 1 minute if swishing or 2 minutes if brushing as a paste)
  • apply the hydrogen peroxide to your teeth too many times (more than once daily)

Talk with your dentist before applying any hydrogen peroxide to your teeth to determine which strategy and application schedule makes the most sense for your situation.

Teeth sensitivity is perhaps the most common side effect of hydrogen peroxide use. You may find consuming hot or cold foods or liquids unpleasant after a peroxide treatment. Avoid doing so for as long as you experience pain.

This happens because peroxide can cause significant damage to the protective enamel of teeth if used too often or in too-high concentrations.

More serious side effects of hydrogen peroxide whitening include inflammation of the teeth roots in the gums. This problem can lead to secondary issues, such as infection, which can be expensive to treat.

Hydrogen peroxide is an inexpensive household product you probably have on hand right now.

When used carefully, it can be an effective way to whiten your teeth. But if used incorrectly — in concentrations that are too high or if used too often — it can cause serious and sometimes expensive tooth damage.

If you choose to whiten your teeth with hydrogen peroxide, do so cautiously. If you have any concerns, see your dentist, who can give you advice on the best way to whiten for your dental health.

In the meantime, you can preserve your teeth’s whiteness and prevent further staining by avoiding foods and drinks that can stain your teeth.

This includes:

  • energy drinks
  • coffee
  • tea and red wine
  • carbonated beverages, which may make your teeth more prone to staining
  • candy
  • berries, including blackberries
  • blueberries
  • strawberries and raspberries
  • tomato-based sauces
  • citrus fruits

If you do consume these foods and drinks, rinsing or brushing your teeth afterward can prevent staining.

Does Hydrogen Peroxide Whiten Teeth? (2025)

FAQs

Does Hydrogen Peroxide Whiten Teeth? ›

When used carefully, it can be an effective way to whiten your teeth. But if used incorrectly — in concentrations that are too high or if used too often — it can cause serious and sometimes expensive tooth damage. If you choose to whiten your teeth with hydrogen peroxide, do so cautiously.

Does hydrogen peroxide actually whiten teeth? ›

It oxidizes the stain, breaking it apart and lifting it out of your enamel. For this reason, hydrogen peroxide is often used as the active ingredient in commercial tooth whiteners, and studies have shown it to be remarkably effective in safe concentrations.

Is 6% hydrogen peroxide strong enough to whiten teeth? ›

Conclusions: Tooth color shade can be substantially improved using a dedicated device with 6% hydrogen peroxide only.

What percentage of hydrogen peroxide is safe for teeth whitening? ›

Choose the right concentration: A low concentration of Hydrogen Peroxide (around 3% to 6%) is safe to use for teeth whitening usually without any side effects. Hydrogen Peroxide can produce certain side effects like gum or tooth sensitivity if used often in high concentration.

How long does it take to whiten teeth with hydrogen peroxide mouthwash? ›

Whitening mouthwash: Hydrogen peroxide is typically found in whitening mouthwashes. Teeth whitening results from a whitening mouthwash may be noticed in about three months. Daily whitening mouthwash can help erase light levels of surface discoloration.

How to whiten teeth in 2 minutes? ›

Baking-powder eliminates stains on the surface of your teeth and lemon juice as we already said has multiple components that lighten teeth. Just mix a teaspoon of baking powder and a teaspoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice and brush your teeth with the paste this mixture will work wonders in just two minutes.

Can yellow teeth become white? ›

Yellow teeth can regain whiteness through various methods, including good oral hygiene, professional dental cleanings, and teeth-whitening treatments. Stains from coffee, tea, or tobacco can be removed with adequate oral care, while professional procedures like bleaching or laser treatments offer quicker results.

What level of peroxide do dentists use? ›

Today, most dentists use hydrogen and carbamide peroxide gels between 10-40%, which are chemically activated or by different light sources, such as halogen light, laser or plasma arc [9], See (Table ​1).

What happens if you use too much hydrogen peroxide on teeth? ›

This happens because peroxide can cause significant damage to the protective enamel of teeth if used too often or in too-high concentrations. More serious side effects of hydrogen peroxide whitening include inflammation of the teeth roots in the gums.

How fast does baking soda whiten teeth? ›

As the baking soda only removes stains from the surface level of the teeth and not the enamel it can be passable at removing light stains such as coffee and food, but you might not notice a big difference for four to six weeks.

How to get super white teeth? ›

For your benefit, we've provided you with seven different ways to naturally whiten your teeth.
  1. Eat Strawberries. ...
  2. Eat Plenty of Fruits and Vegetables. ...
  3. Brush After You Eat or Drink. ...
  4. Rinse with Apple Cider Vinegar. ...
  5. Apply Coconut Oil. ...
  6. Brush Your Tongue. ...
  7. Use Baking Soda and Hydrogen Peroxide.

Does Vicks VapoRub whiten teeth? ›

KTVB.COM on X: "Vicks VapoRub is toxic to consume and should not be used for teeth whitening https://t.co/1qBp0FuIFS" / X.

What is the best thing to whiten your teeth with? ›

The Crest Whitening Emulsion with LED Light stands out as the best overall teeth whitening product due to its ease of use, effectiveness, and comfort. Its simple, straightforward process, coupled with the ability to carry on with normal activities during treatment, makes it highly convenient and user-friendly.

Does swishing peroxide whiten teeth? ›

A person can make a hydrogen peroxide paste or mouthwash at home. Hydrogen peroxide is a common and effective active ingredient in many commercial teeth whitening solutions. Products containing peroxides, such as hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide, act as bleaching agents to change the color of the teeth.

Should you rinse after hydrogen peroxide in your mouth? ›

Use it to measure the hydrogen peroxide solution and make your final mix. Swish it all around your mouth for the recommended time and spit it out. Never swallow your peroxide rinse, no matter the concentration. Also, make sure to rinse thoroughly every time you use hydrogen peroxide.

How long should I leave 6% hydrogen peroxide on my teeth? ›

With products such as White Dental Beauty's 6% Hydrogen Peroxide whitening gel now available, teeth can be whitened from as little as 30 minutes a day. White Dental Beauty have different concentrations, each powered by an intelligent compound called NOVON® which promises safe yet effective whitening results.

Is it safe to put hydrogen peroxide directly on your teeth? ›

Some kinds of toothpaste and mouth washing products contain small concentrations of hydrogen peroxide. Avoid using pure hydrogen peroxide on your teeth or for other uses at home. Consider using safer options like gel or whitening strips. They are more effective at whitening teeth than toothpaste or mouthwash.

Is it safe to swish with hydrogen peroxide? ›

If correctly used, hydrogen peroxide is safe for most people. However, it can be harmful to your teeth if you use it too often or make the concentration too strong. It is important to know that you should not use food-grade hydrogen peroxide to gargle since it contains more than 35% concentration.

Is it okay to brush your teeth with baking soda and hydrogen peroxide? ›

Whitens teeth

For deeper cleaning, people safely can mix baking soda with a small amount of hydrogen peroxide to create a toothpaste.

How do celebrities get their teeth so white? ›

If you see celebrities with perfectly white, straight, and uniform-looking teeth, they likely have veneers. Unlike teeth whitening, veneers are more permanent. There are various types of materials used, but porcelain and composite are the most common types.

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