Peroxide can be used to make those pearly whites, well, white again. So many different foods and drinks can cause stains on teeth; coffee, soda, tea, and juice, among others. You could waste a ridiculous amount of money to go to the dentist and have your teeth professionally whitened. Or, you could use those drugstore tooth whitening trays that leave you unable to swallow comfortably for like, an hour.
But if you’d rather avoid doing either of those things, you can make your own teeth whitener at home, using only hydrogen peroxide and baking soda. Dip your toothbrush into the peroxide and cover with baking soda. Brush your teeth for at least a minute before rinsing. This method has been proven to be pretty tough on your tooth’s enamel, so don’t do it every day. Instead, aim for once or twice per week.
Keep Your Retainer Clean
Retainers are something that should be kept as clean as possible. Our mouths are full of germs, which means so is your retainer. As peroxide is amazing for dissolving odors, you can imagine how beneficial it can be as a DIY retainer cleaner. Plus, it’s non-toxic and safe to use orally, so you don’t have to worry about swallowing any harmful chemicals.
To create the solution, mix equal parts peroxide and water in a small glass and soak the retainer for 30 minutes. All of the bubbles you see are fizzing away the bacteria and odors. For a minty fresh kick, you can add a couple of drops of mint essential oil to the glass, as well. Just make sure to stir it up a bit so you don’t end up with a concentrated area of oil in your mouth!
Get Rid of Canker Sores
Canker sores can be triggered by some types of foods and are very uncomfortable to deal with. Luckily, hydrogen peroxide can help heal them in no time. The peroxide can help keep the bacteria around the canker sore to a minimum, which in turn helps promote faster recovery.
Mix equal parts of water and peroxide in a small container and apply directly to the affected area. Repeat the application three times per day until the sore disappears. You can simply swish the solution around in your mouth to apply. Just be sure not to swallow any peroxide.
Nail Whitener
Just like many other surfaces, your nails can also benefit from the lightening power of hydrogen peroxide. Nails may turn yellow for a variety of reasons, including smoking, health issues, stress or beauty products. To make sure your nails stay their natural color, try this at-home solution.
Fill a small container with a teaspoon of hydrogen peroxide and a teaspoon of water. Let each nail soak for 10-30 seconds on the mixture and wipe dry with a clean towel. Alternatively, you can soak a cotton ball in the mixture and let it sit on your nails for the same amount of time.
At-Home Highlights
Going to a salon for highlights can cost upwards of a couple of hundred bucks. And, the at-home highlighting kits you can buy from drugstores are notorious for being terrible for your hair and producing less-than-desirable results. Read: your hair might turn orange or fall out. Instead of breaking the bank (or your hair), why not try the at-home peroxide solution? Mix one-part peroxide with one-part water in an empty spray bottle and shake to combine. You can also add a bit of lemon juice for a strong effect.
Spritz the mixture directly onto the areas you want to lighten and head out into the sun for some fun with friends or family. Better yet, camp out in the yard or at the pool, or somewhere where you can relax for an hour or two. Bring the spray bottle with you to re-spritz throughout the day. Make sure to wear your sunblock to protect your skin from the sun’s harmful rays. If you do head to the pool, remember that the chlorine in the water can create a greenish tint in lighter hair colors. Don’t forget to rinse hair when you’re done swimming to prevent unwanted neon hair.