Evaluation of the Potential Use of Tooth Bleaching Agents in the Prevention of Dental Caries

Objective: Hydrogen peroxide is a key ingredient in self-applied tooth bleaching agents. It can exhibit broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity against various bacteria and other microorganisms. This study aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial effects of self-applied tooth bleaching products on Streptococcus mutans, a primary caries-causing bacterium, and to explore their potential use as a preventive tool for dental caries. Methods: The antimicrobial effects of self-applied tooth bleaching patches and gels against S. mutans were analyzed. Each product was placed on an agar plate inoculated with the bacteria and incubated at 37°C for 48 h. The diameters of the visible zones were measured after incubation. Results: Both patch-based and gel-based products showed excellent antimicrobial activity, while gel-based products showed relatively higher antimicrobial activity than that of patch-based products (P>0.05). Conclusions: These findings suggest that self-applied tooth bleaching products may not only serve aesthetic purposes but also act as a preventive measure for dental caries.