Teeth Whitening Products

There are significant numbers of teeth whitening products available in the market. They are marketed in different forms including toothpaste, gels, paint-on-products, strips and mouth guards. These products generally improve your tooth color by two mechanism; tooth bleaching and removal and control of stains.

Tooth whitening products are primarily based on hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. These hydrogen peroxide teeth whitening or carbamide peroxide teeth whitening usually involves the application of the products in the form of toothpaste, gels, etc. once or twice daily for around 2 weeks, depending on dose and exposure time. Studies has demonstrated that this whitening effects may lasts up to 12 weeks or longer, depending on the product used and personal hygiene.

It is believed that these products diffuse into the enamel and dentin and oxidize a variety of organic and inorganic colored compound leading to reduction in tooth color and giving rise to whiter teeth. To maximize the result and a give better white teeth these products especially toothpaste, also contains optimized abrasive ingredients for cleaning.

These cosmetic dentistry treatments were previously administrated by professionals but are now increasingly available for in-home use. Some of the common ingredients used on these teeth whitening products are listed below.

Abrasives Agents

• Hydrated silica
• Calcium carbonate
• Sodium bicarbonate
• Calcium pyrophosphate
• Alumina
• Perlite

Chemical Agents

• Hydrogen peroxide
• Carbamide peroxide
• Calcium peroxide
• Sodium citrate
• Sodium pyrophosphate
• Sodium tripolyphosphate
• Sodium hexametaphosphate
• Papain

Optical agents

• Blue covarine

In order to deliver a quick whitening effect, silica whitening toothpaste containing blue covarine are developed. Research shows that toothpaste containing blue covarine may reduce tooth yellowness and whitens the tooth immediately after a single brushing. Blue covarine alters the optical properties of the tooth by primarily giving a yellow to blue color shift which has been shown to aid whiteness perception.

Teeth Whitening Side Effects

Teeth whitening products are generally regarded as safe, but some temporary teeth whitening side effects like tooth sensitivity and gingival irritation may occur from these procedure which may last for few days before they disappear. Research has shown that application of fluoride in conjunction with whitening products could effectively reduce tooth sensitivity. No long lasting side effects has been reported in clinical studies.

Laser Assisted Teeth Whitening

For those looking for quicker solution to teeth whitening, laser assisted teeth whitening may be a good option.