Wil, here is mty friend's response to your question
From: Jason Brightwell
Subject: Nutrition
Date/Time 2007-02-11 09:09:33
Remote IP: 64.83.19.135
Message
Well, I am not a dentist. For your perusal, I have listed the following articles I found by doing a search on google.
http://ec.europa.eu/health/ph_risk/committees/04_sccp/docs/sccp_o_022.pdf
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/dhp-mps/prodpharma/applic-demande/guide-ld/label-etiquet-pharm/perox_e.html
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/11/061116122158.htm
http://www.innovations-report.de/html/berichte/medizin_gesundheit/bericht-32206.html
http://www.cfs.gov.hk/english/programme/programme_rafs/programme_rafs_fa_02_02.html
In conclusion:
1. Drinking soda and acidic fruit juices is more harmful to tooth enamel than H2O2.
2. Use of H2O2 products in the mouth and increased risk of oral cancer are inconclusive.
3. The stronger the H2O2 solution, the more dangerous it can be if used improperly.
4. A 16-month old baby accidentally consumed a large amount of H2O2 solution and died.
5. Millions of consumers have used tooth-whitening products will no adverse effects.
6. Just like everything else, people react differently to H2O2
7. Most tooth whiteners have about 6-10% hydrogen peroxide and are left on for 30 minutes to 8 hours. Rinsing and gargling 3% H2O2 for 30 seconds is a much lower exposure.
Here's a few more links, 2 on cancer, how alcohol-based mouth washes can increase cancer risk and how antiseptic mouthwashes do little or nothing to cure halitosis, and can even make it worse.
http://info.cancerresearchuk.org/healthyliving/alcohol/howdoweknow/
http://www.breathrx.com/about/abstract_rinses_halitosis.php
http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/308/6942/1508
What it comes down to is studying and making an informed decision on our own. It appears that any harmful effects from rinsing and gargling with H2O2 are few if any at all and are inidividual based. Some resources say it's a risk, others say it's perfectly safe. But they all agree that smoking and consumption of alcohol greatly increase the risk of oral cancer.
Drinking soda and orange juice are more damaging to your tooth enamel than rinsing with H2O2 (3%). Listerine and other antiseptic mouthwashes do not help halitosis, and can even make it worse by causing dry mouth from the alcohol content.
In my personal use of H2O2 (3%) for a year, I have seen a great improvement in the freshness of my own breath, self perceived. I have not had any negative side effects from using H2O2. I first used H2O2 (3%) once a day for several weeks. I now use it infrequently, less than twice a week on average. I will continue to use H2O2 as I feel I need it. If I notice any ill effects in the future, I'll be sure to let everyone know.
I'm glad someone asked the question. I definitely think it's a good practice in life to question everything, even anything that I should promote.
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