A review of the literature by Dr. Ian C. Munro, et al, published in the Journal of Esthetic and Restorative Dentistry (Volume 18, Issue 3, June 2006), concludes that tooth-whitening products containing hydrogen peroxide are safe and do not increase the risk of oral cancer when used as directed. The review, which included unpublished clinical studies involving more than 4,000 human subjects, found no evidence of development of oral cancer or other effects associated with the risk of oral cancer. Exposure to hydrogen peroxide in tooth whiteners is too low and of too short duration (30 to 60 minutes) to cause any changes to the oral tissues that could increase oral cancer risk. The concentration of hydrogen peroxide usually rapidly declines to nearly undetectable levels within 15 to 60 minutes. The review also examined the possibility of increased oral cancer in smokers who used tooth-whitening products containing hydrogen peroxide and found no increased risk of oral cancer due to the combination of whitening products and smoking. Also, a possible combined effect was not found with regard to bleaching and smoking, further illustrating the relative safety of tooth whitening products.
(Source: Science Daily, sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/11/061116122158.htm; November 16, 2006)
