What exactly is hydrogen peroxide?

A key component of our teeth whitening products is hydrogen peroxide. Why we use it and what the concentration regulations are all about, you will learn today.

Hydrogen peroxide, also known as perhydrol or chemically H₂0₂ called, is a light blue liquid that is colorless in diluted form and has a variety of applications. Due to its oxidizing nature, hydrogen peroxide has strong bleaching and disinfecting properties. Therefore, hydrogen peroxide has proven itself both in households and in professional medicine and dentistry.

For example, it is used for cleaning PET bottles, other packaging, or even wounds, with the concentration being crucial. Paper, pulp, and textiles can also be bleached with it. In the cosmetic industry, it serves as a bleaching agent for hair and teeth, but also for setting perms.

To whiten teeth, hydrogen peroxide is usually applied to the teeth or a tray in the form of a gel or paste and left to act for about half an hour. The hydrogen peroxide oxidizes and dissolves the pigments present in the teeth, which ultimately brightens the teeth.Hydrogen peroxide also has the advantage of contributing to the sterilization of the oral cavity in addition to whitening teeth and acting preventively against gum inflammation and bacterial plaque. This is exactly how our OnlySmile teeth whitening gel works.

H₂O₂ is inherently non-toxic and non-flammable, but has a stronger effect in higher concentrations than in lower. For cosmetic use, a concentration of less than 0.1% hydrogen peroxide is required according to Directive 2011/84/EU. These amounts are considered safe and can also be found in our teeth whitening products.

The use of higher concentrations can lead to respiratory tract injuries, mucosal inflammation, and pulmonary edema. Dizziness, cramps, and circulatory problems are also not uncommon. Therefore, we advise against the self-purchase of hydrogen peroxide and recommend our safe and tested teeth whitening gel.

OnlySmile is a German provider of cosmetic teeth whitening from home and thus a cost-effective alternative to dental in-office bleaching. All our gels and powders are exclusively developed and produced in Germany and are subject to strict quality controls.

Quellen:
https://medlexi.de/Wasserstoffperoxid