hydrogen peroxide and teeth

October 3, 2003

Thanks Doc...."Dr. Ian Shillington" <Dr.IanShillington wrote:

Hmmmmmmmmmmmm, I don't know if I agree with all of this, especially if we're talking about "Food grade" H2O2.

Seems to me, this article is mixing up all Hydrogen Peroxide into the same bundle, including the commercial stuff with other chemicals in it that are known to have bad effects on the teeth or the body. The article kinda rings an alarm against some of the chemistry I was taught in High School, but I'll need to dwell on this a bit.

Just because Europe don't like it, don't mean it ain't no good. (I think I just used one too many double negatives in that sentence but you get the idea ;o) Them Europeans don't like "distilled water" over there either, and that's just plain nuts. We've been using that over here very successfully for well over a century.

Free radical Oxygen is not so much of a problem as free radical Carbon or free radical Hydrogen, and a free radical oxygen will often bond with a free radical Hydrogen to form an (OH) bond which is normally OK as this is alkaline and helps the body to get more alkaline.

There's something fishey about this article, but I don't have my finger on it yet. I'll sleep on this one.

Hmmmmmmmmmmmm.

Doc

Ian "Doc" Shillington N.D.505-772-5889Dr.IanShillington

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Suzanne

herbal remedies

Thursday, October 02, 2003 8:16 PM

Re: [herbal remedies] hydrogen peroxide and teeth

Here is some info you all need to read if you are using hdrogen peroxide on your teeth.

Suzi

Potential Dangers in Peroxide/Laser BleachingAll current "bleaching" products, whether purchased in a store or used by your dentist, utilize various concentrations of Hydrogen Peroxide to make your teeth white. Even "Light Enhanced Bleaching" with lasers and other types of curing lights, are bound to use peroxides to create the necessary oxidation. (The light energy just makes the harsh peroxides penetrate deeper towards your nerve tissue.)Here's how Peroxide and Carbamide Peroxide products can damage your teeth and/or gums: (Carbamide peroxide or carbomer is a hydrogen peroxide precursor, which after contacting even a small amount of water (such as in your saliva), turns into urea and hydrogen peroxide. Urea is realted to uric acid, which is found in the ailment "gout".Tooth Sensitivity: Enamel is made up of inorganic crystals known as hydroxyapatite. Only 5% of

enamel contains organic material, in the form of collagen. Dentin (the next layer, which also protects the nerve tissue in the pulp), contains up to 20% of organic material. When dentin is viewed through a microscope, one notices that it is made up of small "dentinal tubules".When peroxide-based oxidizing agents are used, a chemical reaction takes place which allows fluids to move through these tubules directly towards the nerve endings in the pulp, creating a high degree of sensitivity to cold, heat, and even very sweet foods.Most of these commercial products also contain "carriers" for the peroxide component, which may include some or all of the following: propylene glycol, polyethylene glycol (PEG), or glycerin(e). These chemicals, in conjunction with the peroxide of choice, add to the sensitivity problem.Free Radicals: It is well known to those who are familiar with oxidizing agents that Hydrogen Peroxide (H2O2)

can easily be broken down to Hydroxyl (OH-) and per Hydroxyl radicals. Free Radicals are highly reactive molecules that have been associated with the formation of pre-cancerous and cancerous cells.Calcium Loss and Deterioration of Tooth Enamel: Continued exposure to peroxide whitening compounds, especially when exposed to acidic solutions (which can occur simply by drinking a soda or fruit juice) can cause demineralization of tooth enamel. Inevitably this can lead to tooth decay and/or increased sensitivity.Digestion of Peroxide Solutions: It is very common, especially in commercially-available home bleaching kits, that the peroxide solutions leak out of the pre-formed dental trays, and then become digested by the user. (see Free Radicals above).Permanent Nerve Damage and Tooth Loss: It is possible for the user to experience nerve damage to the tooth upon continued long-term use of these peroxide

whitening agents. This takes place when the peroxide agents penetrate healthy enamel and dentin and flow directly to the pulp chamber. Secondly, users who have gum recession are very susceptible to this type of damage because there is no enamel to protect the exposed root surface, which is made of softer cementum. Treatments of choice to "repair" this problem are root canal or tooth extraction.Europe and Asia Forbid the use of Peroxides for Tooth Whitening: Why does the US continue to allow these harsh chemicals? The European Community Cosmetic Directive (1999) has established an upper limit for peroxides in oral products at 0.1% by weight. (This level would never create any tooth whitening). The US on the other hand allows 30 times that concentration!! (3.0% by weight). Other countries, such as China and Japan no longer allow any of these damaging products into their country.The Valid Oxygenating Science Behind TheraBriteEveryone wants to have the whitest teeth possible. History teaches us that even thousands of years ago, it was desirable to have white teeth. In the last 10 years new products and techniques have come to the market, which alter the appearance of tooth enamel through bleaching with harsh Peroxide compounds.But is bleaching with Peroxides safe? Is it safe to your teeth? Is it safe to your gums? Can it harm your health? Scientists in Europe and Asia think it's very bad for you - That's why Peroxide Tooth Bleaching is banned on these continents!Commercial and even Bleaching gels from your dentist contain very high concentrations of hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide (also known as Carbomer, etc). It will bleach teeth if the gel is applied in high enough concentrations and for a long enough period of time. However, it will also bleach the surrounding gums (if used

without a tray or without a well-designed dental tray).New technologies also include laser bleaching. But this technique also requires the use of peroxide bleaching agents. The lasers are used to intensify the depth of the bleaching by "energizing" the peroxide solution that was initially placed on the teeth before the laser was pointed on the teeth.Federal Law requires that we warn you of the following: 1. Natural methods can sometimes backfire. 2. If you are pregnant, consult your physician before using any natural remedy. 3. The Constitution guarantees you the right to be your own physician and toprescribe for your own health. We are not medical doctors although MDs are welcome to post here as long as they behave themselves. Any opinions put forth by the list members are exactly that, and any person following the advice of anyone posting here does so at their own risk. It is up to you to educate yourself. By accepting advice or products from list members, you are agreeing to be fully responsible for your own health, and hold the List Owner and

members free of any liability. Dr. Ian ShillingtonDoctor of NaturopathyDr.IanShillington