Hydrogen peroxide acts as an antiseptic, disinfectant, antibacterial, and antiviral. While it’s most often used for cleaning wounds, stain removal, whitening, and more, it can also be used for oral health. When using hydrogen peroxide to improve oral health, it is important to note that it is typically diluted to a 3% concentration or less. Use of hydrogen peroxide should be used under the direction of your dentist to determine what is best for your condition.
One of the most common uses of hydrogen peroxide is to treat sores in the mouth, also known as canker sores. By working as an antiseptic, bacterial levels are reduced and enable proper healing of the sore. Other sores caused by forms of trauma, such as biting a portion of the lip or tongue, may also benefit from peroxide rinsing.
For those suffering from gum disease, peroxide rinsing may help to reduce the bacteria responsible for the disease progression. Dental research has shown that hydrogen peroxide applied at a lower concentration in a custom tray reduces flare-ups of periodontal disease in many patients.
Hydrogen peroxide can be found as an active ingredient in teeth whitening products such as strips and toothpaste. While rinsing alone with peroxide is often not enough to see whitening effects, research supports the whitening benefits when used in products with longer contact time with tooth surfaces.
Gargling with peroxide rinses can help to reduce bacterial overgrowth that leads to sore throat infections and, in turn, can help promote healing.
While hydrogen peroxide has many benefits to oral health it’s important to discuss usage with your dental provider prior to use. If your dentist thinks that hydrogen peroxide could be helpful for you, over-the-counter peroxide-based products are available to you as an option.