Is it safe to gargle with hydrogen peroxide?

Hydrogen peroxide has long been used by healthcare experts for a variety of objectives. It has been used safely and efficiently by dentists to treat gum infections since 1913. On the skin, it acts as a mild antibacterial to prevent infection from minor cuts, scrapes, and burns.

In this article, you will get to know if it is really safe to gargle with hydrogen peroxide. Stick around to the end. 

What is hydrogen peroxide?

Hydrogen peroxide is a chemical compound (antiseptic) composed of hydrogen and oxygen atoms. It is typically used to cleanse surfaces or clean minor cuts.

Hydrogen peroxide is a mainstay in many medicine cabinets and first-aid kits due to its flexibility, and it is widely available at most drug stores or pharmacies.

Gargle with hydrogen peroxide to reap the benefits of its cleansing characteristics. It’s an oxidizing agent, which means it can kill living organisms like bacteria.

Depending on the intended purpose, several strengths, or concentrations, of hydrogen peroxide are available. In industrial manufacturing, high concentrations are common. The most frequently used concentration offered for home use is 3%.

Some may be sold in concentrations of 6% and hence requires dilution with an equal volume of water to obtain the 3% concentration for use.

Health benefits of hydrogen peroxide

Below are some of the health benefits that hydrogen peroxide has to offer.

Soothing sore throat

Gargling with hydrogen peroxide has a number of benefits for a sore throat. It has antibacterial properties that kill bacteria or prevent bacterial colonization of the upper respiratory tract and buccal cavity.

It also removes sloughs or dead tissues or mucous membranes which serve as a medium for bacterial growth. this in consequence relieves sore throat associated with microbes such as viruses, and bacteria among others.

Furthermore, when mouth mucus comes into contact with hydrogen peroxide, it forms a foam. The mucus becomes less sticky and drains more easily with this foam.

It can also help loosen mucus in your throat, which can irritate and create pain. For similar benefits, young children and people who have trouble gargling without swallowing can gargle warm salt water instead.

Whitening teeth

Many over-the-counter and professional teeth-whitening solutions contain hydrogen peroxide as the active ingredient.

Gargling with hydrogen peroxide could help your teeth look whiter for a few hours shortly after you do it. However, according to a 2015 study, hydrogen peroxide mouthwashes must be used consistently for several months to have a long-term effect.

Over-the-counter whitening gels containing 10% carbamide peroxide, which contains roughly 3.5 percent hydrogen peroxide, were found to be much more effective at whitening teeth in the same study.

Improves oral health 

Hydrogen peroxide is a strong disinfectant that can help prevent canker sores and other minor lesions in your mouth from becoming infected, allowing them to heal more quickly.

When used in conjunction with proper brushing and flossing, a 2012 review of studies on hydrogen peroxide and oral health discovered that it can also assist to minimize gum inflammation.

To obtain the greatest advantage from hydrogen peroxide’s oral health benefits, swish it around the front of your mouth while gargling to ensure it hits your front teeth and gums.

Treating gum disease 

Hydrogen peroxide may aid in the treatment of gum disease due to its antibacterial qualities. A biofilm is a sticky coating of bacteria that occurs on the teeth when plaque accumulates. Hydrogen peroxide produces oxygen, which aids in the destruction of microorganisms.

Good for treating minor mouth sores

Because hydrogen peroxide is an antiseptic, gargling with it can help cure minor mouth irritations like cuts or canker sores. Hydrogen peroxide bubbles or foams when applied to a cut, releasing oxygen.

This foaming aids in cleaning, removing dead cells, and reducing bacteria. It takes time for hydrogen peroxide to work. Gargling will not destroy all of the bacteria in your mouth, but it will help to lower their number.

How to use hydrogen peroxide

To gain the maximum benefits and minimize unpleasant side effects, it is critical to understand how to utilize a hydrogen peroxide solution appropriately.

Gargle with hydrogen peroxide as follows:

• Use hydrogen peroxide at a dosage of 3%. Anything more potent is likely to irritate.
• Combine two parts of water and one part of hydrogen peroxide in a mixing bowl.
• Gargle with the solution, swishing it around your mouth.
• Gargle for 30 seconds while tilting your head back.
• Spit out the solution

It is typical for hydrogen peroxide to generate some foaming in the mouth.

Risk of taking hydrogen peroxide 

Internal organs can be burned and internal hemorrhage can result from ingesting pure hydrogen peroxide.

If you mistakenly consume diluted hydrogen peroxide, such as the 3 percent solution generally available in drug shops, you’ll probably only have a mild stomach ache. It’s also possible that you’ll vomit a somewhat foamy stuff, which is perfectly typical.

You might notice some redness around your gums or irritation on the inside of your mouth after gargling hydrogen peroxide. After a few hours of gargling, this should be gone. If the redness or irritation persists, or if you begin to vomit or feel dizzy or weak, see your doctor right soon.

Is it safe to gargle with hydrogen peroxide safe?

Yes, it is very safe to gargle with hydrogen peroxide is safe and good for oral health benefits too. Gargling with hydrogen peroxide can help whiten teeth and reduce bacterial levels in the mouth.

It might help relieve a sore throat and sanitize your mouth. Just make sure you dilute it first and don’t ingest any while you’re doing it.

As a result, it is critical to use a concentration of no more than 3% and to use it sparingly to minimize irritation.