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Hydrogen Peroxide Uses
Some people use hydrogen peroxide to clean their wounds, while others use it as a mouthwash, earwax softener, teeth whitener, or, in some cases, even a cancer treatment. Although hydrogen peroxide has a long history of use as a wound cleanser, it is no longer recommended by many in the medical profession for this purpose.
Although most typically used for wound cleansing, hydrogen peroxide is sometimes claimed to be a "wonder drug," capable of curing or treating numerous different conditions. Some of these supposed uses for hydrogen peroxide are more legitimate than others.
Generally Accepted Uses of Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide has traditionally been used as a wound cleanser, although its use has recently fallen out of favor with the medical profession, since there is little evidence that it is effective and because it can potentially damage healthy tissue.
Hydrogen peroxide is also commonly used in mouthwashes, mostly as a "debriding agent" (to loosen and remove dead, damaged, or otherwise diseased tissue). Therefore, using this product as a mouthwash is just another way of using it as a wound cleanser.
It is also sometimes used to help remove earwax, usually by softening the wax (see Hydrogen Peroxide for Earwax for more information).
Due to its bleaching action, hydrogen peroxide is used in teeth-whitening products as well.
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD