Is it safe to use Hydrogen Peroxide to whiten teeth, suppose to work like magic if u swish with it every morning before brushing your teeth, some people swear by it but some also think its really bad to use, please help, especially Dentists.
Moved from General Questions to IMHO.
samclem, moderator
My dental hygienist recommends that. She also recommends brushing teeth with baking soda.
I always thought both were too strong, but I’m believing her for now unless I find out differently on this board from dentists or other hygienists.
Dentist here. Hydrogen peroxide can be a bit strong on the soft tissues but for most people isn’t too bad for the teeth. most of the gels for take home and in office bleaching are carbamide peroxide but IIRC it breaks down into hydrogen peroxide and urea when working. The gels with trays IMO have the advantage of staying where put and not getting on the soft tissues. Some people get a fair amount of sensitivity when bleaching especially when done in the chair(office or spa/mall). My experience also has been that OTC hydrogen peroxide takes longer to work than higher strength “professional” products. Gererally safe and effective however as always YMMV.
Just don’t use high-test peroxide. 
(Well, not on your teeth anyway. It would be better used in your Me-163 Komet.)
Thanks! May I add a follow up question?
What does is actually do? I had the thing done at a salon with the gels and the zappy light, but the difference was minimal. I think that was maybe because all it is meant to do is remove stains from drinking coffee and tea, without actually making your teeth lighter? Is that right?
So will the hydrogen peroxide lighten my teeth themselves, or do the same nothing?
No it will actually make your teeth lighter. Takes a while. The spa type ones and dental in office ones have a fairly big rebound, that is they look a lot whiter quicker but it doesn’t last as long. Daily bleeching takes longer but lasts longer. Most people beach for a few weeks and it lasts a couple of years or so. Of course depends on what you eat and you home care. Also yellowish teeth bleach much better then grayish teeth. Gray ones will bleach but usually takes longer. Takes months for tetracycline stained teeth.
My bottle (OTC) says right on it, that it’s an oral rinse. I use it nightly. Not only for whitening, but for cleaning my mouth. Rinsing little sores and whatnot. The hygenist told me it may irritate the gums, but I have been doing it for years.
I started using it after researching teeth whiteners that you can buy over the counter. When your teeth turn 50yrs old, it’s kind of natural for them to have yellowed with age. But it’s one of the few things, that age a person, that can be easily reversed.
I’ve used several of the pricey treatments on the market without any really visible results, and was sick of paying so much. When I managed to quit smoking I was even more keen to brighten my smile. My dentist said the same, it’s perfectly fine to use any number of the homemade recipes out there. Just not too much and not too often!
Realizing all the products contain HP as whitener, I switched to a recipe I found on line. HP and baking soda, made into a paste, applied and left in place for 1 minute, then brush and rinse. And I have to say, I am very pleased with the result. And the savings!
elbows, what’s the recipe, if you don’t mind providing?
In a tiny dish, put a few drops of Hydrogen peroxide, add enough baking soda till you have a paste. Apply to teeth, I use a cheap make up brush. Leave on 1-2 mins, don’t swallow it. Brush and rinse. Throw away any left over.
I did it every other day till I was happy with the colour, once or twice a week after that.
Total cost for over a year of use - under $3 ! That’s a lot of money saved, and actual pleasing results!
Thanks elbows! 
ETA crazy question: would it help (or be really bad?) to sit in the sun with a smile on my face & the paste on my teeth?
No need, truly. (Though it brings to mind an intriguing image, so thanks for that!)
It’s the HP doing the work, keep your mouth shut and let it work. That’s all! Plus the soda makes it a little bit fizz like, don’t freak out, it’s normal!
elbows, thanks for the info, much appreciated.
I have this carbamide peroxide whitener that you paint on your teeth, while you bite on a little rubber thing that keeps your lips retracted. It’s meant to be used in a tanning booth. I know tanning is bad for me but I’ve never used a better whitener.
Try not to get your teeth too white, as it doesn’t look natural, and it really stands out. An analogy is like seeing a woman with super blonde hair, it looks very phony. You may want to whiten your teeth some, but not to a great extent. In addition, in my opinion, super-white teeth on folks makes them look older.
All:
In the past, I have used peroxide with baking soda and let me caution you on its use. IF you are like me, you will start and be reasonable and if you are like me, you will eventually get to, a little is good a lot is better. I upped the load of peroxide and what happens is that the peroxide drives right up under the gums after the bacteria that is there. That mild bubbling that you experience topically is horrible internally. The burning is intense and long, long lasting.
Done reasonably, it worked pretty well for me. Done stupidly, I suffered one amongst many episodes of learning experience syndrome.
Hear, hear. When teeth-whitening first became a hugely important “thing” among the super-rich and super-famous, I remember seeing pictures of a few people whose teeth were starting to go past white and past even arctic white into an almost bluish hue.
Worked great for George Clooney’s character in “Intolerable Cruelty” where his character was obsessed with his own teeth, though! 
I made my own mouth trays using the 99 cent sports ones you dip in hot water and mold yourself. Then, I bought some syringes of the stuff I used to get from the dentist from a reputable Amazon seller-- instead of $25 a tube, it’s $35 for 6 tubes. One tube gives me a little more than two uses, top and bottom.
I’ve been using it for years and my teeth are fine (and nicely white). The dentist even complimented me on how nice and white my teeth were, as did an orthodontist. So, I don’t think there’s any damage to be noted.