Avoid Do It Yourself Mouthwash
There is some anecdotal evidence that using hydrogen peroxide as a mouthwash when diluted by at least 50 percent water can help whiten your teeth. But for safety’s sake, it’s best to avoid “do-it-yourself” mouthwashes as a tooth-whitening strategy.
Is Hydrogen Peroxide Safe?
Hydrogen peroxide is a bleaching agent that’s a component of many professional tooth-whitening kits, but it can damage your oral tissues if appropriate protective equipment is not used. This type of equipment is only available from your dental professional during an in-office bleaching procedure.
Teeth Whitening at Home
If you’re interested in whitening your teeth, start by talking with your dental professional. If you have a mild level of staining, then whitening toothpastes, whitening mouthwashes or at-home bleaching kits may be effective for removing the surface stains that are discoloring your teeth.
Consult Your Dental Professional
The ADA recommends that you consult your dental professional before trying any type of tooth-whitening procedure so he or she can help you choose the product or treatment that’s most likely to succeed. It’s especially important to talk to your dental professional about tooth whitening if you have multiple fillings or crowns or if you have severe stains. If you have severe stains, or different types of dental restoration, your dental professional may recommend an in-office professional whitening procedure. This way, he or she can use stronger bleaching products than those available as over-the-counter products, and provide the specialized equipment to protect your gums and oral tissues when using these stronger products.
