Gargling With Hydrogen Peroxide: Benefits And Side Effects

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Is Gargling Hydrogen Peroxide Effective and Safe?Medically reviewed by Jennifer Archibald, DDS — Written by Kathryn Watson — Updated on July 30, 2024

• How to
• Potential health benefits
• Risks
• Takeaway

Hydrogen peroxide has antibacterial properties which may offer several possible benefits when gargled. However, it can also have risks if not done safely.

Hydrogen peroxide is a liquid chemical compound that combines hydrogen with oxygen. You can buy it at most drug stores and use it for everything from disinfecting wounds to cleaning your bath tub.

Some people even swear by gargling with it to sooth a sore throat, whiten teeth, and reduce gum inflammation. However, it’s important to do this safely in order to avoid risks and side effects.

Keep reading to learn how to safely gargle hydrogen peroxide, and whether it really works.

How to gargle hydrogen peroxide

The key to safely gargling hydrogen peroxide is to make sure you never swallow it. This is true regardless of the strength you’re using.

To try a hydrogen peroxide gargle, follow these steps:

• Start with a 3% concentration, which is the strength you’ll find in a brown bottle at most drug stores. Next, combine one part hydrogen peroxide with one part water. This makes it 1.5%, which is the most commonly recommended strength.
• Tilt your head back and take a small mouthful of your hydrogen peroxide and water mix. Gargle and swish the mixture around in your mouth for 30 to 60 seconds.
• Spit the solution out after gargling. Don’t try to gargle the mixture for more than 90 seconds.

Health benefits of gargling hydrogen peroxide

Soothe a sore throat

Gargling with hydrogen peroxide may help a sore throat in several ways. Hydrogen peroxide has antibacterial properties and may help your body fight off infections that often cause sore throats.

In addition, when the mucus in your mouth comes into contact with hydrogen peroxide, it creates a foam. This foam makes the mucus less sticky and easier to drain. It can also help to loosen the mucus in your throat, which can cause irritation and pain.

Young children and people who have a hard time gargling without swallowing can try gargling warm salt water instead for similar benefits. Follow these steps for salt water gargling:

• Mix one cup of warm water with ½ to ¾ teaspoon of salt.
• Swish this salt water mixture around in your mouth for about 60 seconds.
• Spit the solution out after gargling.

Improve oral health

Hydrogen peroxide is a powerful disinfectant, so it may prevent small wounds and canker sores from becoming infected.

According to research, it may also help with whitening teeth and reducing halitosis (bad breath).

Are there any risks?

Ingesting undiluted hydrogen peroxide can burn your internal organs and cause internal bleeding. While the 3% solution is generally considered safe, it can still be dangerous when consumed in large quantities.

After gargling hydrogen peroxide, you might notice some redness around your gums or irritation on the inside of your mouth. This should go away within a few hours of gargling.

Contact a doctor immediately if the redness or irritation doesn’t go away, or if you start to throw up or feel dizzy and weak.

The bottom line

Gargling hydrogen peroxide may be an effective way to sooth a sore throat, disinfect your mouth, and whiten your teeth.

Be sure to dilute it first, and try not to swallow any in the process. If you consume too much or feel unwell, it’s a good idea to contact a doctor.

 

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesHistoryHealthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

• Caruso AA, et al. (2020). Hydrogen peroxide and viral infections: A literature review with research hypothesis definition in relation to the current covid-19 pandemic.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7262503/
• Hydrogen peroxide. (n.d.).https://www.poison.org/articles/2012-jun/hydrogen-peroxide
• McGrath C, et al. (2023). Effectiveness of mouthwashes in managing oral diseases and conditions: Do they have a role?https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10690548/
• Muniz FWMG, et al. (2020). A systematic review of the effect of oral rinsing with H2O2 on clinical and microbiological parameters related to plaque, gingivitis, and microbes.https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33178277/
• Nelson AL, et al. (2023). Hydrogen peroxide toxicity.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK585102/

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Medically reviewed by Jennifer Archibald, DDS — Written by Kathryn Watson — Updated on July 30, 2024

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