Products that genuinely don't contain or release hydrogen peroxide are unlikely to be very effective in whitening teeth.Įnamel that is bleached by DIY whitening products may be vulnerable to damage from abrasive toothpastes.
Hydrogen peroxide teeth free#
Products might be free of peroxide before use, but then release hydrogen peroxide when activated. Consumers should ask what these actually contain. Many outlets offering teeth whitening claim to use "peroxide-free" products. It's important hydrogen peroxide isn't left in contact with gums for a long time as this can cause burns. This ensures the treatment touches your teeth only and not your gums. The main difference is dentists will take a mould of your teeth and use that to make a whitening tray. Whitening products bought over the counter, when used excessively, could lead to damage to teeth over time. The researchers suggest home systems should be used under the supervision of a dentist. In contrast, home whitening was shown to increase the loss of mineral content within enamel, which over time may lead to weakness. Lab-based research suggests in-chair whitening by dentists increases the strength of enamel, making it more resistant to erosion from acid.
Non-dentists are also offering "in-chair" whitening treatments, often with products that require light activation.īoth of these methods work by releasing hydrogen peroxide, but in-chair systems tend to use products that release higher levels of hydrogen peroxide, especially those used by dentists. Many dentists now offer teeth-whitening treatments that are then taken home and used by consumers. Recently, the lines between these categories have blurred somewhat. So what's the difference between teeth whitening by a dentist, in a cosmetic setting, and do-it-yourself home kits?
While hydrogen peroxide is the active ingredient in most whitening products, some teeth-whitening gels contain carbamide peroxide or sodium perborate.īoth of these agents break down to release hydrogen peroxide. Weaker concentrations act only at the surface of the tooth enamel. Some in-chair whitening systems use 35 per cent hydrogen peroxide.Īt this concentration, hydrogen peroxide can effectively permeate deep into the enamel structure. In the UK, it's illegal for anyone other than dentists to use concentrations higher than 0.1 per cent.ĭespite lay practitioners in New Zealand using far higher concentrations of hydrogen peroxide, we don't really have any evidence of harm to the public from this difference in policy.ĭentists in Australia are able to use high concentrations of hydrogen peroxide. In New Zealand, non-dentists may apply up to 12 per cent hydrogen peroxide to whiten teeth. In Australia, only a dental practitioner may provide products that release more than 6 per cent hydrogen peroxide. Teeth whitening is somewhat controversial different countries have different rules regarding the permitted concentrations of hydrogen peroxide released by products and who may provide these. Teeth whitening has also been commonly called teeth bleaching, mainly because the active ingredient in most products is hydrogen peroxide (or products that release hydrogen peroxide when mixed with water or air). So which option is best and safest? How do they work? Many teeth-whitening products are also available over the counter for home application, including gels and strips. In modern-day Australia, teeth whitening is offered by dentists, other dental practitioners and by cosmetic businesses on the high street. They noticed teeth became whiter over time following use of these mouthwashes.
In the past, dentists tried to treat gum disease with mouth rinses containing hydrogen peroxide. The effect of teeth whitening was discovered quite by accident.
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