Many people use hydrogen peroxide as a mouthwash because it’s a powerful disinfectant that keeps canker sores and mouth wounds from becoming infected, which promotes faster healing.
Learn more about the properties of hydrogen peroxide.
What Is Hydrogen Peroxide?
Hydrogen peroxide is a mild antiseptic that’s used on the skin to prevent the infection of minor cuts, burns, and scrapes. In recent years, many people have used it as a mouth rinse to remove mucus or to alleviate mouth irritation due to sores and gingivitis. However, if you use it every day, it can impact your overall health.
View more to find out if using hydrogen peroxide as a mouthwash is right for you.
Are There Benefits to Using Hydrogen Peroxide as a Mouthwash?
If you have a sore throat, using hydrogen peroxide as a mouthwash can help you experience relief. The antibacterial properties in it can fight off bacterial infections that typically result in sore throats.
Moreover, when the mucus in your mouth comes into contact with hydrogen peroxide, it creates a foam. The foam makes the mucus less sticky, which makes it easier to drain. Rinsing with hydrogen peroxide loosens your throat’s mucus, so you likely won’t experience discomfort.
Additionally, using hydrogen peroxide in conjunction with regular brushing and flossing reduces gum inflammation. Another benefit of this product is its teeth whitening properties. If you’re going to a special event, you can use it to achieve an instant Hollywood smile.
To get the most out of your rinse, swish it around the front of your mouth while you’re gargling, so it coats your front teeth and gums.
The Negative Effects of Using Hydrogen Peroxide as a Rinse
Although hydrogen peroxide can be beneficial for certain situations, you should only use it a few times a month. Rinsing with undiluted hydrogen peroxide can burn your organs and cause internal bleeding. You may also vomit a foamy substance, but this is a good sign because it means the peroxide is flushing out of your system.
The first time you gargle with hydrogen peroxide, you might notice redness around your gums and irritation inside your mouth. These symptoms should go away within a few hours, but if you throw up and feel weak, you should call your doctor immediately.
Is There a Safer Alternative to Hydrogen Peroxide?
People turn to hydrogen peroxide as their choice of mouthwash because they may find store-bought mouthwash too strong. Traditional mouthwash contains alcohol, which can irritate the mucous membranes in your mouth.
Now that you’re aware of the potential dangers of hydrogen peroxide, you may be looking for an alternative. Consider switching to saltwater rinses, which have proven to:
- Soothe mouth sores and bleeding gums
- Freshen breath
- Loosen and remove food particles
- Heal a sore throat
Best of all, they’re dentist approved. Simply stir eight ounces of warm water with one teaspoon of salt, and you’re good to go!
Contact Oral & Facial Surgery of Utah
If you’ve extensively used hydrogen peroxide as a mouthwash in the past, then you may be experiencing oral health problems as a result. If you need oral surgery, you can count on the board-certified oral surgeons at Oral & Facial Surgery of Utah to provide you with quality care. We specialize in wisdom tooth removal, impacted canine treatment, and several other oral procedures. Schedule your consultation today.