Can i rinse my mouth with peroxide?

Have you ever wondered if you can rinse your mouth with bleach’s less popular cousin, hydrogen peroxide? Well, look no further because this article will provide all the answers that keep you up at night.

What is Hydrogen Peroxide?

Before we dive into whether or not using hydrogen peroxide as a mouthwash is safe, let’s talk about what it actually is. Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is a chemical compound of two hydrogen and two oxygen atoms. It’s commonly used for wound cleansing and as an oral antiseptic.

The Benefits of Rinsing Your Mouth with Hydrogen Peroxide

So why would someone want to use something they normally associate with hair dye or cleaning products in their mouths? Well, there are some benefits to rinsing your mouth with hydrogen peroxide:
– Reducing bad breath: Since bacteria love to live in warm, moist environments like our mouths, using hydrogen peroxide may reduce bad breath by killing off those pesky microorganisms.
– Whitening teeth: Those who regularly use teeth whitening strips might recognize the ingredient carbamide peroxide – it breaks down into hydrogen peroxide when applied directly to the surface of teeth. So gargling H202 may have similar effects!
– Killing germs: As previously mentioned, hydrogen peroxide has microbes-killing abilities which could reduce infections in wounds found inside the oral cavity.

Now that we know what exactly H202 does let’s take a closer look at how exactly one would go about using it as a mouthwash!

How to Use Hydrogen Peroxide for Oral Health

Just like any other product meant for consumption (except shampoo), there are precautions and steps you should follow before making DIY antics out of everyday household items such as food coloring (I once tried dying my hair green-colored water mixed with olive oil, don’t ask me how that turned out). Here are some things to keep in mind when using hydrogen peroxide for oral care:
– Dilute H2O2 with water: We definitely won’t recommend swishing undiluted hydrogen peroxide for your health. It can irritate and burn the mouth’s delicate lining. Instead, blend a half cup of water plus a 1/4th part of food-grade (3%) or pharmacy-bought (1%-3%) diluted hydrogen peroxide in a glass.
– Time limit: Swish the solution around your mouth for about thirty seconds without swallowing it (yes, even if you think you’re an expert at spitting – avoid ingesting H202!), then spit it out into the sink.
– Be Gentle:
Gargle instead of swishing/tugging because as mentioned above, Hydrogen Peroxide can cause irritation/burns.

Is It Really Safe?

So far everything deepens on how we do this whole activity; Hygie-neatly? Or just-like-that-neglectfully? Too much of anything isn’t good… except chocolate! The key here is always moderation.

While there may be benefits to rinsing with hydrogen peroxide, that doesn’t mean it’s completely safe. Overusing H2O2 as an oral rinse is not recommended by dental professionals, according to Dr. Harold Katz who runs ‘The California Breath Clinic’.
He advises people only incorporating its use no more than one time every seven days and urges everyone against allowing children below eight years old from using any products containing higher than 0.5% concentration of Hydrogen Peroxide as it can be fatal leading them to pneumonia.

Additionally note that high doses like those taken externally could create other complications too , so being careful behind closed doors/premises would save us from further problems!

Side Effects Associated with Rinsing Your Mouth With Hydrogen Peroxide

Anything has its pros and cons such as, Chocolate’s effect of increasing weight: but that doesn’t prevent us from indulging in it, right? Okay – let’s see some adverse side-effects when one over-doses with H202.
– Increased tooth sensitivity to cold/hot substances like ice cream
– Peeling or inflamed gums (a condition called gingivitis)
– Bleached oral tissue
– Ulcers due to chemical burns if undiluted hydrogen peroxide comes in contact with the skin

Alternatives to Hydrogen Peroxide for Oral Health

If you’re not ready to play around chemicals meant for another purpose or want alternatives which flavor and include essential oils try out the following products:
– Oil pulling: a practice where swishing coconut oil or sesame oil around your mouth can help clean teeth and kill bacteria.
– Saltwater rinse: One of our Grandma’s favourite practise! Simply dissolving a teaspoon of salt into eight ounces (.25 L) of warm water is said to do wonders on wounds/helping them heal.

Now that we have discussed the good, bad, and even provided alternatives against using hydrogen peroxide as an oral wash. We believe sufficient guidance awaits everyone who chose taking this ride causing lovely(?) bubbles forming in their mouths-happy experimenting!

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