Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Is Hydrogen Peroxide A Whitener For Teeth

Hydrogen peroxide does whiten teeth. This product has many uses including cleaning scrapes, cuts and bites. It is not as well-known as a teeth whitener. As more and more people want white teeth, hydrogen peroxide is an inexpensive and easy to use alternative to having your teeth whitened in a dentist's office. It is also more economical than many of the commercial teeth whitening kits sold in stores and on Websites.








Types


Hydrogen peroxide comes in various solutions. The most common is a 3 or 3.5 percent solution that is usually found in drugstores. This is the strength of hydrogen peroxide to use for your teeth. Higher concentrations of hydrogen peroxide are for industrial use such as the bleaching of paper. The lower strength of 3 percent is considered safe for internal use.


Function


Hydrogen peroxide is made of hydrogen and oxygen. In reality, it is a weak acid. Because of the oxygen, the product has oxidizing abilities which bleach items when applied. Teeth are whitened because the peroxide bleaches the teeth enamel much like peroxide bleaches hair. To whiten your teeth with hydrogen peroxide, place a small amount on your toothbrush and brush as usual. You can also place a small amount in a cup and then dip your brush into the solution. Some people add water to the cup. Others use hydrogen peroxide instead of toothpaste. Hydrogen peroxide kills bacteria and germs that are on your teeth and in your mouth. You have the option of using your regular toothpaste and then using the hydrogen peroxide to whiten your teeth as a separate step. You also can just use the hydrogen peroxide a few times a week to whiten teeth. How you use hydrogen peroxide depends on your preferences.


Benefits


The benefits of using hydrogen peroxide are many. One of the most important is its low price. It usually costs less than one dollar. Hydrogen peroxide can also be easily found in any drugstore or pharmacy. It is also easy to see because it is always stored in a brown bottle. This distinct opaque bottle keeps light from entering the bottle and deteriorating or weakening the hydrogen peroxide. Another benefit is that, unlike teeth whitening kits, it is easy to use. You don't need to read an instruction leaflet. Just open the bottle and brush the hydrogen peroxide on your teeth.


Considerations


Teeth whitening has become a big business. While dentists can whiten your teeth at an exorbitant price, there are also at home teeth whitening kits from Crest and Rembrandt. All of these methods have varying degree of success depending on the condition of your teeth and whether you smoke. With hydrogen peroxide, you can get whiter teeth for far less money. Also the results are gradual so you won't have a shocking difference in the color of your teeth in just one day. Many over-the counter teeth whitening products contain hydrogen peroxide as its main ingredient.


Prevention/Solution


In addition to whitening the teeth, hydrogen peroxide is also known to kill germs and bacteria that are in your mouth. Some dentists even think that hydrogen peroxide can prevent or reduce gingivitis. As an antiseptic and disinfectant, hydrogen peroxide offers many uses in oral hygiene including whitening the teeth.

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