Re: Can Hydrogen Peroxide be an effective mouth wash or.......

Hi David ,
    Hydrogen Peroxide can be an effective mouth wash,it is a strong 
oxizing agent that kills bacteria very readily. Saliva should not affect 
hydrogen peroxideat all. In fact saliva contains hydogen peroxide as part 
of a defense mechanism. This defense mechanism is called the 
lactoperoxidase system. The system consists of the enzyme lactoperxidase, 
thiocyanate and hydrogen peroxide which kill bacteria. (1) Hydrogen 
peroxide would be an effective mouth wash, but since it is a strong 
oxidizing agent, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry 
reported that a 3% solution of hydrogen peroxide may cause skin and mucous 
membrane irritation.(2) 
                                 Thanks for asking 
                                    Larry

(1) Brock.T et al  Microbiology with Applications p.184

(2) www.atsdr.cdc.gov/atsdrhome.html