Teeth whitening is a very common practice today. Depending on the technique and product, you can do it at home, in a beauty salon, with a beautician or, of course, in a dentist's office. On the market, it is sometimes difficult to choose the right products.
We have decided to explain the main teeth whiteners to help you better understand their effects and limitations.
1. Hydrogen peroxide:
Hydrogen peroxide is the best known bleaching agent. It is the basis for most teeth whitening gels. It has oxidizing and antiseptic properties. The concentration of hydrogen peroxide in whitening gels must be analyzed very carefully. This product is very effective in teeth whitening, but its use is regulated. Gels with a hydrogen peroxide content of up to 0.1% are available over the counter. They are safe and have been proven to be effective in teeth whitening at home or in a beauty salon. Beyond this dosage, they are only used by medical professionals. For example, if you visit your dentist, he can offer you cosmetic dentistry with gels that can contain up to 6% hydrogen peroxide. Up to this dosage, the dentist can then prescribe his patient an outpatient treatment. If the patient follows the protocol, he can perform teeth whitening at home with a 6% gel. Beyond this dosage, prescriptions for private individuals are not allowed. Only dentists can handle high-dose gels. This last point is very important: hydrogen peroxide is safe if the correct dosage is respected. Gels with a peroxide concentration above 6% can cause inflammation, gum burns and irreversible damage to your teeth (especially in the case of broken teeth, cracks, existing caries, exposed tooth necks...). The damage is irreversible. So be vigilant. We strongly advise you not to buy gels on websites that do not transparently communicate the compositions and their concentration.
2. Carbamide peroxide:
Carbamide peroxide contains 1/3 hydrogen peroxide. This ratio allows you to easily calculate the hydrogen peroxide content of a gel. A product containing 30% carbamide peroxide is actually equivalent to 10% hydrogen peroxide. This gel is subject to the same rules according to European directives. Therefore, only gels containing 16% carbamide peroxide (6% hydrogen) can now be prescribed by a medical professional to perform a bleaching treatment at home. The main difference between carbamide and hydrogen is the duration of the product's decomposition. Carbamide peroxide has a longer bleaching effect than hydrogen. According to studies, it can be assumed that hydrogen releases most of its bleaching power within 30 to 60 minutes. Carbamide peroxide releases half of its bleaching power within the first two hours and the rest within the next 6 hours. Carbamide peroxide is converted to hydrogen peroxide in the body, but this happens more slowly than when hydrogen peroxide is applied directly. This can result in a longer lasting effect. It is therefore advisable to keep products containing carbamide peroxide in the mouth for longer to ensure that they are as effective as possible. Teeth whitening products containing carbamide peroxide usually contain lower concentrations of hydrogen peroxide compared to products containing hydrogen peroxide. This may result in fewer side effects. Some users report fewer sensitivity reactions when using carbamide peroxide compared to hydrogen peroxide.
3. Phthalimidoperoxycaproic acid
This product, also known as PAP, can be considered a new bleaching agent on the teeth whitening market. This product does not release hydrogen peroxide. The gel contains an active bleaching agent that lightens the discolored molecules inside your tooth. Since it does not contain peroxide, it does not fall under the European legislation that regulates the concentrations of teeth whitening gels. In fact, it is a peroxide that works in a similar way to hydrogen peroxide: it releases oxygen. Oxygen reduces the discoloration on the teeth. There are not many studies on this product yet, but it does seem to be effective.
4. Whitening toothpaste
Whitening toothpastes are designed to help whiten teeth or simply freshen up your smile. Whitening toothpastes have many different ingredients. Very often, manufacturers use baking soda, which cleans teeth thoroughly and reduces discoloration. But they can also contain so-called red and blue pigments. The aim is to emphasize the whiteness of the teeth, but more as a deception. You can use these toothpastes daily because their composition is safe. The abrasiveness of the ingredients is usually very low.
5. Activated carbon
Activated charcoal for teeth is made from organic plant matter. Its natural origin gives it a strong absorption capacity. As a black powder, activated charcoal helps treat canker sores or inflamed or swollen gums. It helps fight tartar and certain periodontal diseases. The advantage of charcoal is that it penetrates into the interior of the tooth, allowing stains to be better captured and removed quickly.
It is important to note that the use of activated charcoal for teeth whitening is not widely recommended by dentists. Activated charcoal is abrasive, which means that it contains abrasive particles that can potentially wear away tooth enamel. Enamel is the outermost layer of teeth and protects them from cavities and other damage. Once enamel is worn away, it cannot be restored.
The American Dental Association (ADA) has not certified any activated charcoal tooth whitening products, and there are concerns about the long-term effects on dental health. In addition, activated charcoal products can leave an unpleasant taste and black residue in the mouth.
6. Natural remedies
There are other products that have natural whitening properties. We have already mentioned baking soda, which is found in whitening toothpastes. But it is also a home remedy on its own to whiten teeth. Its chemical compound is a very good abrasive. It therefore helps to remove fresh stains. However, we advise you not to use it too often, as it can make your teeth more sensitive and damage your enamel. We will go into detail about the abrasiveness values (RDA values) in a separate article and explain them in detail. Let's turn to lemon, which is very well known for giving your teeth instant shine. Some people directly use a slice of lemon to rub on their teeth. Others prefer to make a lemon juice and combine it with baking soda. You dip your toothbrush in this mixture and brush your teeth with it. But lemon is a citrus fruit and therefore has a high acid content. The acids in lemon juice can soften tooth enamel and break down the minerals, which can cause permanent damage. This can cause sensitivity, yellowing of the teeth and, in severe cases, tooth decay. It is therefore advisable not to use lemon as a bleaching agent.
If you want to whiten your teeth, make sure you choose safe methods that will not damage the enamel and tissue inside the tooth!
