Did you ever look at the price of whitening products at the store, and think that there has to be a cheaper way? With Whitening products like Crest Whitestrips costing $30 or more per set, whitening your teeth can easily take a back burner in these financially tough times. And $30 is spare change when compared to the cost of whitening your teeth at the Dentist’s office.
Here’s what I use:
This small little bottle costs $1 or less in most places. Hydrogen Peroxide? “Why in the world do you put that stuff in your mouth,” you ask? Well, before you automatically assume I am insane, check out what the main active ingredient of Crest Whitestrips is:
See my source on this, and more details on what exactly these things can cost you HERE.
That’s right. Those whitening products that you pay $30 for are just glorified Hydrogen Peroxide. Yes, they have other ingredients in there (harmful ones, I might add), but Hydrogen Peroxide is the active ingredient that does the major whitening. What’s in a bottle of plain Hydrogen Peroxide? 3% -3.5% Hydrogen Peroxide and filtered water. It’s the same, and actually less than most of the new whitening products.
Here’s how I whiten my teeth: I use a small amount of hydrogen peroxide as a mouth wash twice a day for 7-10 days. I’m very careful not to swallow it, just like I wouldn’t want to swallow the gel that is in over the counter whitening products. My teeth are significantly whiter just after a week, and guess what else! This doesn’t hurt my teeth like the whitening products do. Every time I have used whitening gel products before, I wasn’t able to use them past three days because they made my teeth hurt so bad.
So there you have it. For $1 or less, I have a bottle of Hydrogen Peroxide that will last me a very long time. Not only do I use it for whitening my teeth, but it’s great for disinfecting the scrapes and cuts we get around here. Now that’s Natural and Thrifty!
Side note: Did you know that our own bodies make Hydrogen Peroxide for healing, and that it is currently being used by many to cure cancer and other ailments? Do a quick search on the internet and you will find a plethora of information on the subject.
This blog uses affiliate links within posts. To read more, view the terms and disclosure policy here.
{ 40 comments… read them below or add one }
Do you mix it with water before you use it, or do you use it straight?
_________________________________
The Thrifty Mama here:
Since a bottle only contains 3-3.5% hydrogen peroxide and the rest is purified water, I see no need to mix it with more water.
hee hee i do that too
brooke delong´s last blog ..not me! monday
We also use it as a more natural deodorant! Spray under your arms (would need to use a spray bottle filled with it!) after your shower! Pat dry! Not only will it help keep you feeling fresh =o) It will also ‘bleach’ your under arms (which is kinda nice for summer time!)
I used to highlight my hair with this stuff, but had no idea about teeth whitening. awesome
How long do you recommend swishing it around your mouth for?
I asked on of my classmates about 10 years ago how she got her teeth so white and she said her dentist told her to use hydrogen Peroxide as a mouthwash for another reason (plaque maybe) and that the added bonus was that it whitened her teeth! VERY THRIFTY! It’s good to hear that others have had success with it too. I’ll have to try it!
Cool! I will definitely try that! I also use hydrogen peroxide when me or the kids are getting sick. A couple drops in each ear a few times a day will usually stop a cold in it’s tracks! The kids don’t really like the fizzing in their ears, but it really helps! If you are already sick, putting drops of hydrogen peroxide in your ears will help you get over it faster too.
I haven’t done this, though I did notice that Hydrogen peroxide is an ingredient in Crest Whitestrips and in some whitening toothpastes. I think I’ll give it a try. Thanks for sharing this tip!
Tiffany´s last blog ..Site Update: NaNoWriMo
Wow, all really great tips! Especially the one about using it for colds! I never knew that!
…oh yah, and lol @ the bleached under arms
I have to say I was a bit turned off at 1st when I read it, but then I thought why not?? I am sure I have tasted a lot worse in my mouth with the medications these days. So how often do you actually whiten, monthly, quarterly?? Just curious! Thanks for the tip! You rock!
You guys are right about the colds. I was getting sick two days ago…and you know I have my trip coming up and REALLY don’t want to get sick, so I gargled with hydrogen peroxide and did a wash in my nose with it. Now I’m feeling fine. No cold.
This is so crazy it just might work! I am thinking it probably doesn’t taste very good? I might mix it with a little of the mouthwash that my dentist hands out…
What a GREAT tip! I’m going to start this today. Thanks a lot THrifty Mama!!
it doesn’t really taste like anything- it does fizz when it comes in contact with any bacteria- you can use it to clean your nose or ears with a cotton swab- it’s anti bacterial- you should get a fresh bottle after about a month though- after you open it and expose it to air- it starts to break down and eventually just turns to plain water
You can buy a mouthrinse called “Peroxyl” that’s made especially to rinse your mouth with if you have a mouth sore, abrasions from dental work or braces, etc. My dentist told me about it when I was having some problems with my gums. You can rinse up to 4 times a day with it–basically it’s mouthwash with peroxide in it. I’m sure you could make the same thing for much less money, it’s a good product but fairly expensive.
Charlene @ A Virtuous Woman´s last blog ..Homemaker’s Haven
what about coldsores and ulcers, do any of you know if this would help with them? my mother and SIL suffer terribly from both and it seems like nothing over the counter or prescribed helps them when they have a breakout. Just thinking “thriftily” outside the box!
It doesn’t really have a taste
I don’t notice one.
We use it for canker sores. (our two year old had one the other day and it even helped her). We just dip a cotton swab and rub it on, but gargling it would whiten your teeth and come into contact with all your mouth sores also! We have never used it for colds but I will surely give it a try, nothing to lose!! We use it (halfed by warm water) with a syringe (no needle attatched of course, just used to shoot it in, you could use that bulb that they use for noses too same concept) to rinse our sons ears (ped told us to) because he was full of wax, it worked. The only “discomfort” was a little bubbling.
Awesome post Thrifty MAMA!!
gbmom2407/anna´s last blog ..C A K E!
lori s,
for cold sores and ulcers used a 50/50 mix of melox and liquid benadryl and swish for about 30-60 sec. The benadryl will make your mouth feel asleep for a minute but if you do it a couple times a day the ulcers will be gone in 2 days or less. I did this after getting my wisdom teeth our, I had HUGE sores on the roof of my mouth from tissue trauma. It works better than any prescription mouthwash the doctor can give you!
Awesome! As I sipped my coffee this morning, I was thinking how I’d like to whiten my teeth without paying $20-30. (I have done it twice before, one time being for my own wedding. I always experience sensitivity as a result.) I’ll have to try this! Perfect timing!
Christina´s last blog ..It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown
Great tip. I will start today. Thanks
You can also make swimmers ear stuff with a mix of half hydrogen peroxide and half rubbing alcohol.
What a great tip! I’m going to have to check this out. For those folks who have never cleaned your ears with peroxide…oh man! It feels great! My mom used to do it when we were kids and we would always fight over who got to go first. One little cap full in each ear (laying down) and keep it there until it stops bubbling. It’s awesome!
Thank you for the HUGE money saving tip! I have super sensitive teeth and will definitely give this a try. THANK YOU!!
THANK YOU!!! I love your blog. More great tips please…
I see a couple people asked how long I rinse my mouth with it, and how often I do a whitening regiment. I really don’t know what to recommend, since I am not a dentist, but I can tell you that I personally started doing this two weeks ago and usually rinse my mouth out for about five minutes twice a day. I’ll probably continue doing it on a regular basis until I’m satisfied with my nicely whitened teeth.
My plastic surgeon had me rinse my nose with hydrogen peroxide (using a neti pot of course!) It did wonders for my sinuses…..and helped remove my blood clots!
I brush my teeth with a paste of peroxide and baking soda. Cleans and whitens teeth.
Lori, for coldsores – as soon as your mother & SIL feel the tingle tell them to hold an ice cube on it for 20 min. do it a few times the 1st day. It halts the virus in it’s tracks and either stops the eruption or makes it much less worse then it would have been. And if the ulcers your talking about are canker sores, the white ones inside the mouth, use listerine on them. It helps them to go away faster. HTH
Great post Crystal! I’m gonna try this!
That is so funny! My grandfather is a retired dentist so I was taught at an early age to take care of my teeth. I’m not the best at flossing everyday but I always brush and swish twice or more a day. My Mom is excellent at taking care of her teeth and brushes her teeth with high quality toothpaste (like we buy at CVS) and dips it in Hydrogen Peroxide. Our dentist says it helps whiten, disinfect and helps get rid of plaque. I highly recommend using it either way.
It is fine to use Hydrogen Peroxide for cuts and scrapes but don’t use it on a regular basis be careful using Hydrogen Peroxide on your face because it oxidizes on your skin. I’m a huge fan of Paula B. Cosmetic cop and she has some great advice about Hydrogen Peroxide. http://www.cosmeticscop.com/skin-care-facts-oxygen-for-the-skin.aspx
Holly´s last blog ..Bottom Dollar Food 11/4/09-11/10/09
Awesome tip. Is it hard to keep hydrogen peroxide in your mouth for that long every day? I’m going to have to try it.
Awesome tip, Thrifty Mama! I’m going to have to try this one myself and then blog about it! I’ll linkback to you for the awesome idea, of course. Thanks for the inspiration!
Nadia @ ABC Frugality´s last blog ..Freebie: Surf Laundry Detergent
Excellent thrifty tip! You can disinfect your mouth and whiten your teeth with one simple mouthwash!?! Wonderful.
Katterine’s cost´s last blog ..Need Dentures Relined, No Health Insurance From Work, Lost Denti-Cal
Great tips!
Just be careful with the ears, ladies. In med school, they teach you to strongly advise against putting any liquid in your ears unless it is prescribed…a different temp (both warm/hot or col), if it gets through your first line of defense and further into the ear canal, etc. can all cause vertigo. You can vomit, pass out, throw off your balance permanently. So, just be careful with that one!
I definitely agree with Lindsay. We thought my daughter had swimmers ear and put stuff in there when she actually had ruptured her eardrum. It was incredibly painful.
Thanks
Ginny
My mom used to brush her teeth with hydrogen peroxide.
In Mexico, the dentists recommend you brush your teeth with baking soda to whiten your teeth.
Leslie Limon´s last blog ..Celebrate Good Times…My First Blogiversary!
I paid $80 for whitening strips at the dentist and couldn’t finish them all because they made my mouth hurt. The hygienist told me if I was sensitive, I could buy some other strips that would help. She said that I should rinse with a Listerine Whitening mouthwash because it had peroxide in it. Makes sense to cut out the middleman and go right to the source! I do have to say that the Listerine worked well, but the taste just gets to you.
I also want to say that the dentist recommends any teeth whitening/bleaching after a cleaning so that you get your entire tooth.
Just wanted to mention that although hard for some to do it’s best if you drink teas, coffee and certain staining juices (like grape or cranberry juice) through a straw to prolong your whitening results. Allow the drink to hit the back of your mouth and swallow. Don’t swish the drink in your mouth or allow it to touch your teeth. My sister works at a dentist office and that’s what they tell patients after whitening.
{ 2 trackbacks }