Hydrogen Peroxide and Bad Breath – Can It Be Used To Treat Bad Breath (Halitosis)

Bad breath or Halitosis has a number of causes but the most common causes are anaerobic bacteria in the mouth that produce odorous sulphur compounds which result in foul breath. Other things that contribute to the problem include sinus and throat infections, stomach as well as tobacco and alcohol use. The digestive problems caused by consumption of alcohol can lead to bad breath. Also, stress, dieting and some medical conditions such as diabetes, ulcers, kidney or liver malfunction and respiratory disorders may also be contributing factors.

Getting rid of it may involve taking several steps to eliminate the problem. This usually involves finding the cause and correcting it thereby treating the halitosis problem. There are various treatments and remedies that are often suggested for sufferers. This article looks at some treatments involving the use of Hydrogen Peroxide. Of course, there are other treatments available and some are more effective than others. Here are some the information we found:

1. According to one website, you can improve oral hygiene by using water pik with an ounce of hydrogen peroxide (3% Food Grade Hydrogen Peroxide) in the water. This is done after breakfast.

2. Earth Clinic website readers have reported using Hydrogen Peroxide mouthwash to effectively get rid of bad breath and gum sores. According to these readers it kills the bacteria in your mouth which is the cause of it.

3. One article by a dentist says that you can get rid of it by using a 50/50 solution of water and hydrogen peroxide (3% solution). Swish a teaspoon of each in the mouth for a full minute. Hydrogen peroxide releases free oxygen which is poisonous to most of the bacteria that can cause bad breath in the mouth.

Hydrogen peroxide is a colorless, non-combustible and clear liquid. It’s always used as an aqueous solution, which is available in dilute form (3% to 10%) for household use and in concentrated form (greater than 30%) for industrial use. Solutions of hydrogen peroxide up to concentrations of 9% are generally non-toxic although a 3% solution can be mildly irritating to mucosal tissue and may cause diarrhea and vomiting. Drinking industrial-strength solutions (10% or more) causes systemic toxicity and has been associated with fatalities. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has posted a warning on their website telling people not to purchase or to use high-strength hydrogen peroxide products, including products marketed as 35 Percent Food Grade Hydrogen Peroxide, because they can cause serious harm or death when ingested.