Avoid Do It Yourself Mouthwash
There is some anecdotal evidence that using hydrogen peroxide as a mouth rinse 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.
Hydrogen Peroxide
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 dentist during an in-office bleaching procedure.
Talk With Your Dentist
If you’re interested in whitening your teeth, start by talking with your dentist. If you have a mild level of staining, then whitening toothpastes, whitening rinses or at-home bleaching kits may be effective for removing the surface stains that are discoloring your teeth.
Consult Your Dentist
The ADA recommends that you consult your dentist 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 dentist 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 dentist 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.