Yeah, totally agree about the hydrogen peroxide—just tried it myself the other night and it definitely worked, but my gums felt a bit tender afterward. Saltwater rinse helped a ton though. Maybe start with a lower concentration if you're nervous...worked for me!
"Maybe start with a lower concentration if you're nervous...worked for me!"
Yeah, lower concentration might help, but honestly, hydrogen peroxide always leaves my gums feeling weird no matter how diluted it is. I switched to activated charcoal toothpaste instead—it's messy as heck, but my teeth felt smoother and looked brighter without the gum irritation. Anyone else find peroxide too harsh, or is it just me being overly sensitive?
Peroxide sensitivity is actually pretty common, you're definitely not alone there. Activated charcoal is gentler, but heads up—it can be abrasive if used too often. Ever tried baking soda paste occasionally...bit messy, but gentle on gums and removes surface stains nicely.
Tried baking soda paste once...felt like I was brushing with salty sand, lol. But gotta admit, teeth looked brighter the next day. My kiddo hated the taste though—said it was like licking the beach. Now we just stick to charcoal occasionally, messy but less complaints from the peanut gallery.
I've heard a lot about charcoal too, but honestly, I'd be careful with that one. It's pretty abrasive and can actually wear down your enamel if used too often. Baking soda isn't perfect either, but at least it's milder. Have you ever tried oil pulling? I know it sounds a little weird at first—swishing coconut oil around your mouth—but it's gentle on teeth, and some folks swear it makes their smiles brighter after just a few days. My sister was skeptical, but after a week, she admitted her teeth felt smoother and looked noticeably whiter. Plus, no salty sand or messy charcoal sink cleanup...bonus points, right? Just something to think about if you're exploring gentler alternatives.
