The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Posted by Janie D (Mattoon, Illinois) on 11/02/2009
★★★★★
After reading about "whitening teeth with the H/P", I decided to try it. I have been rinsing with it now for about four months (started doing it religiously - two to three times a day - 1 Tablespoon of H/P swishing and rolling it around in my mouth, leaving it in for up to ten-fifteen minutes before spitting it out, (after I brushed my teeth), and the results: my teeth are now absolutely... WHITE! I get a lot of compliments about how nice they look and I did it without getting them professionally whitened. Although they are not the chalky white, they are pretty close to it! I did not see results right away, however. It took probably a week or two before I started seeing some really significant improvement. I went to the dentist a while back and they wanted to know what I was using that got my teeth so white. I told them about the H/P. I asked my dentist if it was harmful to continue rinsing with it also. My dentist said my gums and mouth looked very healthy and she didn't see any reason to discontinue. She also commented that I had hardly any plaque build-up (I am guilty of flossing every day!), and that my gums and teeth looked very, very healthy! H/P works. Give it at least a couple weeks to see some results.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Posted by Carlos (Barcelona, Spain) on 12/11/2012
★★★★★
Thanks so much to Bob for the white teeth advice. I ahve always have yelow teeth. I dont smoke or drink coffe, its just genetic. None of my parents ahve white teeth they ahve beautiful teeth though.
So recently my teeth went from haivng some spaces to come all together. My smile looked like one of those celebs EXCEPT that it was yellow. Ive treid several toothpastes and home remedys that didnt work.
I always thought white teeth were only for rich people that can aford it. I always been obsessed with that white smile form celebs.
I had tried Hydrogen peroxide before, but only brushing or keeping it for 2 or 3 min. The key is Bob advice of having it 10 minutes. After the first aplication I could notice a slight difference that encouraged me to keep doing it daily. Now after a week I can say my teeth never been this white. Still not a Hollywood smile but if it keeps progressing this way I can see it coming. Im starting to worry about my family finding out that my teeth are ridicously white. Ive seen them stare at me few times, they probably dont notice what it is yet. All I can say is thank you. Im going to be smiling the whole time when I go to party and Im sure ladies will come. My smile is becoming irresistible lol
Hydrogen Peroxide
Posted by Mama To Many (Tennessee) on 01/27/2017
★★★★★
After my tooth experiment I purposed to use hydrogen peroxide in my mouth daily and see if I could whiten my teeth a bit. They have never been very white, though I have been blessed with pretty healthy teeth over the years.
I put a bottle of 3% hydrogen peroxide in my shower. (Brown bottle from anywhere.)
Every day when I shower, I put some warm water into my mouth and then add some hydrogen peroxide. (My bathroom is cold the the peroxide is too cold to use straight. I also find straight 3% to feel a little strong to me anyway.)
I keep the hydrogen peroxide in my mouth for a few minutes. (But less than 5 because it really does foam up.) Then I just spit it out in the shower.
I started this a few weeks ago.
Yesterday I thought that my teeth were looking whiter. Today someone commented about my teeth looking whiter.
I plan to keep doing this. I just put a bigger bottle of hydrogen peroxide into my shower. I love EASY and SIMPLE remedies. The easier and simpler they are, the more likely people will follow through with them. I am no exception, here.
~Mama to Many~
Hydrogen Peroxide
Posted by Bob (Memphis, TN) on 03/30/2009
★★★★★
My Secret for Whiter Teeth: I really like this site. I've read numerous helpful suggestions on here I plan on trying. Here is one that I have been doing for many years now that I would like to pass on to you. Dentist are making a fortune off bleaching teeth when you can do it yourself at home for a few cents per day. I have been using regular off the shelf 3% hydrogen peroxide to bleach my teeth for years now. I am a male 52 years old and even today when I go to the dentist they are astounded at how white my teeth are and find it hard to believe that I don't have them bleached. Every day after you brush your teeth grab your bottle of peroxide and put enough in your mouth to fill it up but not to the point of gagging on it. I like to do this while I am shaving but it also works well to put it in your mouth as you are stepping into the shower. Leave it in your mouth the entire time you are in the shower and right before you turn the water off spit it out and rinse well with water. While it is in your mouth swish it and just keep doing that the whole time it is in your mouth. Try to do it once per day every day of the week. You should see a difference within a week or two. If you are a smoker or heavy coffee drinker you will probably see a difference even quicker. I happen to like really strong black coffee. I drink about 4 cups every morning. I buy several big bottles which you can get at places like Costco or Sam's. The cost is very minimal and for just a few cents per day you will have gleaming white teeth. Watch, people will start commenting on what white teeth you have and ask how you get them so white. I always reply I just brush with that baking soda and peroxide type tooth paste. I guess you can answer however you choose. Hope some of you get some use out of this.
Peppermint Essential Oil, Baking Soda
Posted by Qiana (Los Angeles, Ca) on 12/24/2018
★★★★★
I just tried adding peppermint oil and baking soda to a q-tip and scrubbed my teeth and the stains disappeared instantly. I couldn't believe it. I'm blown away. I will be brushing my teeth with baking soda and peppermint oil from now on. Best tooth whitening remedy ever!
Turmeric
Posted by Kate (Yorkshire) on 09/19/2016
★★★★★
Try brushing with Turmeric: it may stain everything else in the known universe yellow, but oddly with teeth it makes them whiter. I found this out purely by accident while using turmeric for something else - then found other recommends for turmeric-as-toothpaste when I googled. It's apparently particularly good for tea and coffee stains.
Peppermint Essential Oil, Baking Soda
Posted by Alexl (Miami, Fl) on 09/12/2016
★★★★★
So happy this worked!! I have some ridges in my 2 front teeth where I get coffee/tea stains that are very hard to remove. I followed what one reader said: put 4 drops of peppermint essential oil and add some baking soda to a cotton pad. I then scrubbed my 2 front teeth for 1-2 mins. It got most of it off, but not all. Then I added 4 drops of the peppermint oil to a q-tip and added some baking soda as well. I scrubbed on the area for another 1-2min. It worked! Stains came off and my teeth look amazing. So thrilled!! Note that you do need to scrub for a bit....it doesnt just come off once it comes in contact with the oil/baking soda mixture.I am not sure how safe this is for the enamel of the teeth, so I wouldn't do it too often. Saved me another trip to the dentist (will use this in between deep cleanings! ).
Sea Salt and Baking Soda
Posted by Rob (Kentucky) on 08/11/2022
★★★★★
Sea Salt and Baking Soda for Teeth Health
My Aunt (86 years old) and I were talking about how toothpaste was unavailable when she was a little girl during WWII. So everyone brushed their teeth with Sea salt and Baking soda 1:1 ratio placed in the palm of their hand. Wet your toothbrush with water and dipped it in the SS/BS powder. She said everyone's teeth were so white and healthy back then.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Posted by Michelle (Richmond, Va, Us) on 01/31/2010
★★★★★
I started using HP about 2 weeks ago after my mom commented over Christmas how stained my teeth looked. I'm a 45 year old smoker/coffee drinker. I haven't been able to get to a dentist for a cleaning in 3 years - valid reasons. The stains were bad, dark sections in the front lower teeth, in between the crevices and just overall dingy and dark. I was very embarrassed. I started using the HP as Bob from Memphis recommended, swishing away while I was in the shower, spitting and rinsing when I was done. The first few times I did this it burned hot as well, like Gail from Cincinnati said. But I continued anyway. For an added benefit afterward I wet my toothbrush, dip it in some baking soda, brush for about 2 minutes, rinse well, then my regular toothpaste. In just 12 days I am about halfway there to white teeth! My gums feel stronger and my mouth feels so much cleaner. I have a chipped tooth as well, this has actually kept it pretty clean and I'm sure it's kept a lot of bacteria out. My breath is much better as well, thank goodness! I should mention that I use an electric toothbrush and I'm sure this has helped speed up the process.
Peppermint Essential Oil, Baking Soda
Posted by Cat (New Zealand) on 02/24/2019
★★★★★
Peppermint oil and baking soda actually works really well on stained teeth! It only took seconds to see one of the brown spots on my front teeth disappear. The other tooth still has a brown spot but the enamel is more worn on that tooth. It's just where the gums have receded. I'll keep going and maybe use some Hydrogen Peroxide 3% or go back to oil pulling. But definitely a couple of shades whiter within a minute or two.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Posted by Gord235 (Vancouver, British Columbia) on 10/02/2017
★★★★★
I tried 3% HP mixed with an equal amount of water for two days for stained teeth but didn't notice any difference. Then I tried 3% HP straight with no water, swished it around in my mouth as long as I could then brushed with regular toothpaste. Result was quite noticeable with my teeth turning at least a shade whiter with just one application. I was pleasantly surprised and plan to make this a part of my daily routine.
Baking Soda, Toothpaste, Peroxide
Posted by Precios (Las Vegas, Nv) on 10/28/2015
★★★★★
Baking soda, Tooth Paste, Hydrogen Peroxide .3%, and water
I started brushing my teeth with those items to whiten my teeth. It works slowly put you can see results in two days... but it also helps if you have black gums. cause my top gums were black but I notice after I started brushing with my mix (baking soda, hydrogen peroxide .03%, toothpaste, and water) after a few days 95% of the black on my gums were gone. You have to make sure you do it twice a day like your supposed to.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Posted by Taram7 (Cincinnati, Oh) on 05/14/2015
I know these comments are older, but I needed to clear a few things up. First, food grade H2O2 is NOT poison and dangerous when used properly and diluted properly. It can be caustic at high concentrations. It is only 2 Hydrogen and 2 Oxygen, used in Oxygen Therapy and many internal, external and oral uses. The scare tactics from the above posters are inaccurate and untrue. Here is a link to this sites information on what H2O2 is and another described proper remedial uses. You can find a plethora of information that explains how beneficial and necessary it is to health and how it is safe when used correctly and at the proper dilution.
https://www.earthclinic.com/remedies/hydrogen_peroxide.html
and
http://ted.earthclinic.com/remedies/hydrogen_peroxide.html
This is just 2 of hundreds of links, websites and information. As a matter of fact, there was a Nobel Peace prize awarded in 1950 to a man that discovered the wonderful healing effects of H2O2 used internally as Oxygen Therapy (if memory serves right). Please research before you dismiss helpful remedies and posts like this. I personally have been using H2O2 over a year.
Activated Charcoal
Posted by Tony (St Paul, Alberta) on 05/18/2016
★★★★★
I tried brushing with activated charcoal in water. I can't believe how clean the teeth feel, and the plaque is really impacted. Does anyone have any hard data on bad effects for enamel, using this?
I got my charcoal from a pet shop that sells fish tank supplies. The charcoal seems to be super active. I have been using it to filter drinking water. Our tap water is just poisonous and disgusting. I taped a cloth around the spout of a large funnel and filled the spout with the charcoal and poured the water through. You can't buy a better water filter.
Peppermint Essential Oil, Baking Soda
Posted by Kelly (Middleton, Wi) on 11/29/2013
★★★★★
I am a woman in my early thirties, and I had noticeable brown / gray stains on my top front teeth because I drink coffee and tea every day. I read about this treatment and tried it: I put 4 drops of peppermint essential oil, plus a sprinkle of baking soda, on a cotton swab and rubbed it on the teeth's stains. I rubbed for about 5 minutes and the stains were GONE! I could actually see some brown (from the stains) on the cotton swab! Then I rinsed a few times with water.
Make sure to avoid rubbing the gums with baking soda. Also, I wouldn't do this too often, maybe once a week, as baking soda is quite abrasive and also changes the ph of your saliva, making your gums sensitive.
I have never posted anything online before, but I just had to share this teeth-stain-removing method and the WONDERFUL results I got with it!
Peppermint Essential Oil, Baking Soda
Posted by Grace (Idaho) on 03/19/2014
★★★★★
Thank you Kelly from Middleton, WI. I too had grey stains on my top teeth but I think mine were from taking blackstrap molasses every day. I tried hydrogen peroxide, brushing with baking soda and brushing with coconut oil but that didn't do anything. After reading your post, I got a cotton ball, put a few drops of water on it so the baking soda would stay on, then put a little bit of baking soda and then 4 drops of peppermint essential oil. I rubbed it on my teeth for only about a minute and the stains came right off. I am so happy. Thank you once again.
Hydrogen Peroxide and Baking Soda
Posted by Cathy (San Antonio, TX) on 09/02/2008
★★★★★
Having noticed that I was developing two quite noticeable stains on my upper 2 front teeth from coffee, I was concerned about yet another dental bill. I didn't want to buy commercial teeth whiteners so I thought I'd check EarthClinic before I made my appointment. One reader had recommended brushing with hydrogen peroxide and baking soda. I thought she meant that 'with time' the stains would go away. I immediately went in to brush these 2 teeth and within 30 seconds, both stains were completely gone! Be warned that if you have an electric toothbrush---your surrounding gum tissue may turn white but it only lasts 20 minutes or so. I am very pleased.
Peppermint Essential Oil, Baking Soda
Posted by Veronica (Haverstraw) on 10/05/2016
★★★★★
Thank you!!! I've been wanting to clean my stain that I thought wouldn't come off my front teeth and this worked amazingly!!!
Peppermint Essential Oil, Baking Soda
Posted by Ellen (Pennsylvania, US) on 10/28/2014
★★★★★
I also have been at a loss in removing tea stains. I even limited my tea drinking. I had two ugly brown stains on front teeth.
After using 4 drops of peppermint essential oil and baking soda, stains were gone in 2 minutes.
Thank you, Kelly, for your suggestion. To my teeth, Kelly, you are a hero!
Hydrogen Peroxide
Posted by Edmundo (Falls Church, Virginia, U.s.a) on 10/01/2011
I would highly discourage using food grade hydrogen peroxide as a mouth rinse (or for any household application), and I cannot believe your dentist actually were so irresponsible to recommend it. FGHP is in 35% concentration, versus 3% concentration for the hydrogen peroxide you can buy from drug stores. At 35% concentration, hydrogen peroxide is highly toxic. IT WILL KILL YOU IF YOU SWALLOW JUST A SMALL AMOUNT. Even the fume from it can make you sick. FGHP is used in industry for bleaching textile and paper products. It is caustic enough that it will hurt your gum even if you don't swallow it, or blind you if you splashed it in your eyes.
The 3% peroxide is safe to use in most applications, but NOT for ingestion. Teeth whitening products contain peroxide in higher concentration but no where near food grade. Folks, don't use FGHP usless you dilute it down to lower concentration. Be very careful!
Hydrogen Peroxide
Posted by Nightfire (Danville, Illinois, United States) on 03/10/2012
OMG I was doing it wrong, lol. But Jainie is sooo right. I was brushing with baking soda and rinsing with peroxide on and off for bout a year to NO avail... Til I read how others are doing it. I started taking a small amount and swishing and KEEPING it in my mouth for about 10 minutes at a time. My teeth not only are lightening up (also I started OPing again) but I also noticed that what seemed to me that I was apparently losing enamel on my teeth because the sides of each tooth seemed to be a little opaque (gah)... No longer! I drink iced coffees made with strong coffee every morning and been smoking on and off for a while. I had ALWAYS had bad teeth not knowing why. *Sigh* in high school a boy who didn't even know me would constantly call me 'Yellow teeth'. Needless to say 'that' didn't do much for my self confidence :/... But I swear NOW WOW! ... My teeth have never looked better (even before I started drinking coffee drinks and smoking, ha ha)! , and started telling the difference in only a few days. I so love aging backwards and for some odd reason I'm smiling more, gee wonder why ; )... Thanx Pibbles and EC you guys rock.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Posted by Michelle (Richmond, Va, Us) on 02/01/2010
Just a quick add-in. I had been using over-the-counter whiteners for over 2 years, rinses, gels, etc. and none of them gave me these results, barely made a dent. There's no telling what else I was absorbing in my body with those!
Oil Pulling
Posted by Aracely (Roswell, NM) on 02/29/2008
★★★★★
Oh MY GOD!! oh my god.. all i can say is wow!! i read about oil pulling this morning went out and got Sunflower and Safflower oil, i've done 2 sessions with the oil pulling, i must say that it did not get as foamy and white as i thought it would. it was still somewhat yellow. but my teeth are SO MUCH WHITER!! only after 2 sessions!! i have a persistant cough that never goes away no matter what i've used, and i've noticed that after each session, i'm coughing a lot more. i feel almost like a heavyness in my chest but when i do cough, i feel like i'm loosening up whatever it is that has been in my lungs that kept me with that cough. it has a funny kind of taste when i cough. i don't smoke either, well i did when i was 19 but that only lasted about 6 months (me trying to be cool) and i'm going to be 25 next month. i was really only trying it for my teeth, but now i'm going to keep doing it in hopes of clearing up my lungs and removing varicose veins. i have 2 kids now and pregnant with my 3rd so they have been a big problem for me. I will be a regular on this site i can say that much for sure, so i will keep you posted!
Hydrogen Peroxide
Posted by Had (White River Jct, Vermont) on 06/06/2013
J, thank you. I've always had white teeth. I have health issues and have gotten rid of all the toxic products and foods, using natural tooth cleaning, OP, no coffee (way hard), now all of a sudden I have gross looking teeth! yellowing, browish discoloration. My big smile is missing, this is beyond embarrassing. I too tried the HP a while ago, but not for that length of time... So, I just did it, the brown is already gone, still yellowy looking, but now I have hope. I will be on this 3 times a day til I look right again. thank you for the tip/clarification.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Posted by Gabriella (Long Island) on 05/21/2015
Tooth decay is bad for your teeth. I've been reading all these comments about hydrogen peroxide and baking soda and salt and lemon... and everyone says it's bad for your enamel. we drink lemonade, eat tomatoes (acid) and salt on our food, and baking soda is bicarbonate a derivative of salt, used in antacids. We take those, are you worried about your teeth when popping them into your mouth for your teeth to chop on? Hydrogen peroxide is used as an antiseptic, and now in laundry detergent as Oxyclean. I used HP on clothing soiled in blood and watched it literally lift the blood out of the fabric. It's amazing stuff. Why wouldn't you use it to disinfect your mouth, tongue, between your teeth and keep it healthy. Most people would rather use listerine. Now that's not harsh? It can burn the hair from your nose by just gargling. Use common sense....Clean mouth is a healthy mouth. Healthy mouth, healthy body and mind. I've used HP in my ears to clear wax build up and with a Q-tip up my nose when I've had sinus infections. It speeds up recovery time. Go for it you will actually get hooked on it.
Enjoy the feeling!
Hydrogen Peroxide and Baking Soda
Posted by Whisper (Timmins, Ontario Canada) on 05/21/2009
★★★★★
What I've been doing for ages now is take one capful of peroxide dunk my toothbrush in it to moisten it then dip it in baking soda, I then take the capful of peroxide and dump it under my tongue and then proceed to brush with it, it will foam up get ready for that, I brush for two minutes then I spit it all out and rinse and then I use toothpaste to coat my teeth with whatever ingredients toothpaste has to further protect my teeth and also have the chance to scrape my tongue with the toothpaste to get rid of any excess peroxide. I do this about once or twice a month. My friends started questioning why I had such white teeth so I had to tell them my secret, some of them have done it daily, I've seen the results and they are so happy. But my teeth are white and don't need any more than what I do, as you go along you know what works and what doesn't. I'm 53yrs old and have beautiful white teeth because of the care I took throughout the years.
My understanding on this is that you find peroxide included in all of your teeth whiteners that are sold and we have toothpaste that has baking soda, so I went full strength with both to get the best effect.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Posted by Bob (Memphis, TN) on 04/03/2009
Use more than a cap full. Use enough to fill your mouth up. Try to swish it at least 10 minutes, if possible. Since you are a smoker I would say give it about 1 month before you will start really seeing the difference. Even with a nonsmoker I would say about 2 weeks or so. I have been using this method for at least 10 or more years and it really works, just give it time. My sister told me a while back she does the same thing with regular mouth wash and her teeth don't get white. I responded, of course not, the hydrogen peroxide bleaches your teeth. Mouth wash just gives you fresh breath and I suppose kills germs, the way the ad says. Good luck!
Peppermint Essential Oil, Baking Soda
Posted by Rebecca (Cincinnati ) on 09/06/2022
I'm loving the peppermint oil & baking soda remedy & I'm ordering some peppermint oil today. Just want to point out that only food grade essential oils should be used. Also, I'd use a small bottle cap to mix the ingredients & a q-tip to apply. Thanks everyone for this remedy!
Baking Soda
Posted by Mia (Pittsburgh, Pa) on 11/29/2016
★★★★★
I have been using baking soda as toothpaste twice a day for a couple years. I can say hands-down that it is the best toothpaste I have ever used. Not only during the first few weeks did my teeth get whiter, but when I go in for cleanings, they are so much quicker and easier to clean because there isn't as much plaque.
Activated Charcoal
Posted by Greystone (San Diego) on 06/07/2017
★★★★★
Using charcoal to brush your teeth common practice in Pacific Islands and probably a few other places ... it really does whiten the teeth.
Peppermint Essential Oil, Baking Soda
Posted by Stephanie (Florida) on 08/30/2015
★★★★★
Ok - I have been trying to remove some dark stains on the top of my bottom 2 teeth for about 3 mos. I tried over the counter gels, mouth rinses, etc. I have a $100 cyber sonic toothbrush and use a special whitening gel and still those stains were there. I don't smoke but I do drink tea. Well I didn't have any oil of peppermint but I tried the baking soda on a moistened Q-tip and it worked! I can't believe that .59 cent box of baking soda worked while I have been trying all these expensive products. On top of that I am struggling with thyroid issues and I don't want to go to the dentist as they won't clean my teeth without xrays, which I can't get due to my thyriod enlargement. So I am sooo happy this worked as my teeth are perfect and those stains are gone!!
Hydrogen Peroxide and Baking Soda
Posted by Brenda (Springfield, Il) on 06/23/2010
★★★★★
I swish with H2O2 before brushing with baking soda. I also add two or three drops of Dr. B-----'s liquid soap (peppermint) on top of the baking soda. Once in a blue moon I'll put a drop of oil of oregano on my toothbrush such as after I've been sick or if I feel like I'm trying to catch a cold/flu or something. My teeth have really whitened up since I've been doing this. I've also noticed that the sensitivity has totally gone away too. I haven't used toothpaste since, don't want the poison fluoride. Been doing this for approximately six months now. Dentist appt is coming up. We'll see how that goes.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Posted by Diane (Uniontown, PA) on 06/02/2009
★★★★★
I tried the remedy that Bob from Memphis, TN suggested (03/30/09)and in just one day I notice a great improvement! I did what he said, "grab your bottle of peroxide and put enough in your mouth to fill it up but not to the point of gagging on it...". Since he said he does it in the shower, I figured that I could do it while washing the dishes (about 20 minutes). I didn't swish much, because I didn't want to swallow the hydrogen peroxide (wow, does it ever expand!). I too drink very strong coffee every day (3 cups), so I thought, if it works for him, it might work for me, even though I also smoke. And let me tell you, this really does work! I noticed after about 15 minutes that when I did try to swish, my old amalgam filling felt sort of hot. My teeth are definitely whiter; however, there are still some stains between my bottom teeth. Hopefully those will go away with time. Now if I could just quit smoking... Thanks!
Baking Soda
Posted by Danielle (San Antonio, TX, USA) on 01/23/2009
★★★★★
This really works! BUT KEEP USING TOOTH PASTE!!! This stuff can't clean alone it just whitens!
The Baking Soda things really does work my teeth were brighter after I brush!
2 Pinches of baking soda
5 Squeezes of lemon juice
3 Grinds of seasalt!!!
WORKS!
Peppermint Essential Oil, Baking Soda
Posted by Marti (Ireland) on 08/03/2015
★★★★★
Thank you Kelly so much for this tip. I have tried so many ways to remove stains on my front teeth. Peppermint oil and baking soda is the only thing that has worked for me - it's amazing , not only does it work but the results are instant. So bless you for sharing this.
Soap
Posted by Paul (Cortlandt Manor, Ny) on 08/25/2018
I have used soap instead of toothpaste for a couple of years without any detriment. Simply wet the brush and scrub onto a bar of unscented soap and brush teeth as normal. I suppose an unscented soap might be best but since I rinse with water afterwards & follow-up with an original mouthwash (with alcohol), no aftertaste exists. I reply here because I notice a lot of people's questions often go unanswered. Go ahead and try the soap. It works as fine as toothpaste, doesn't contain Fluoride, is inexpensive & safe. You almost certainly have bars already.
