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Is Peroxide Good for a Mouthwash Against Dental Office Germs?

I read online that hydrogen peroxide can disinfect dental office germs like coronavirus. I have a teeth whitening appointment before I get veneers in August. So, I looked online and found a do-it-yourself mouth rinse recipe that includes hydrogen peroxide. My only concern about rinsing my mouth with it is that it will only be helpful until I get veneers. I know alcohol-based mouthwash can loosen the bonding on veneers, but what about peroxide? Thank you. Cassie

Cassie,

It’s good that you have a dentist who understands you must whiten your teeth before getting porcelain veneers to ensure they match your whitened teeth. Whitening teeth after getting veneers can make them look darker than your teeth.

While the American Dental Association recommends at least a one-and-a-half percent concentration, some dental offices use about four or five percent rinses. Alcohol-based mouthwash can weaken the bonding behind porcelain veneers and cause stains. Still, weakening porcelain veneers’ bonding is not the only concern when choosing a mouthwash.

A Rutger’s School of Dental Medicine study published results on mouthwash and its effect on coronavirus. Additionally, the Environmental Protection Agency lists hydrogen peroxide as a disinfectant for COVID-19.

Still, if you get porcelain veneers, you must be cautious about which toothpaste and mouthwash you use. But even if you do not have porcelain veneers, regularly using hydrogen peroxide as a mouthwash can cause other problems.

What Are the Effects of Hydrogen Peroxide Mouthwash?

The effects of hydrogen peroxide mouthwash include:

  • It kills many harmful microorganisms
  • Long-term use kills healthy bacteria, too
  • Long-term use causes yeast (candida albicans) to thrive

Regular use of peroxide as mouthwash can result in an oral yeast infection. Your oral issue will turn white, peel, red, and become painful.

If you get an oral yeast infection, your dentist will recommend taking oral antifungal tablets, lozenges, or using a liquid for seven to fourteen days to eliminate the infection. You must complete treatment to prevent the infection from recurring.