What Is The Teeth Whitening Gel Used By Dentists?
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When a dentist prescribes a teeth whitening product or carries out an in-chair treatment, carbamide peroxide and hydrogen peroxide are usually the gels of choice. Both ingredients are recognised to safely and effectively brighten your smile.
What is carbamide peroxide and how does it whiten teeth?
Carbamide peroxide is a chemical compound made up of urea and hydrogen peroxide. When it comes into contact with the surface of the tooth, carbamide peroxide releases hydrogen peroxide. This then acts as a bleaching agent, lifting stains from the tooth and whitening the enamel.
What is hydrogen peroxide and how does it whiten teeth?
Hydrogen peroxide is a chemical compound made up of oxygen and hydrogen (H202). To whiten teeth, the compound penetrates the enamel and oxidises, an action that breaks down stains. Similarly to its counterpart, the ingredient is available online, over the counter or via your private dental practice.
Dental teeth whitening gels: Strengths and safety
Non-prescribed products typically contain a 0.1% concentration of hydrogen peroxide (which is the equivalent of 0.3% carbamide peroxide) to comply with EU regulations. This percentage may be even lower. While easy to buy, low concentrations offer minimal whitening and is recognised to be generally ineffective.
Dentists can prescribe products at a much higher potency. Our teeth whitening kit for example uses 16% carbamide peroxide, which is 32 x stronger than non-prescription sets found over the counter. This means your results are likely to be much more dramatic.
To prevent damage to your oral health, these are our top tips when whitening your teeth with either ingredient:
- Do not overuse the ingredient
- Do not use too much of the ingredient
- Only purchase from reputable brands
- Only receive treatment from fully qualified dental professionals
- Follow the instructions and aftercare advice provided by the dentist or brand
Which is better, carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide?
Wondering which ingredient you should pick? There is no ‘right’ answer, but both ingredients have advantages and disadvantages that may influence your decision. We have put together the following table to help explain this further.
Factor | Which is the better choice? | Explanation |
Faster acting | Hydrogen peroxide | Breaks down quicker than its counterpart, getting to work within 30 - 60 minutes. |
Suitable for sensitive teeth | Carbamide peroxide | As it breaks down slower, this ingredient is believed to be gentler on the teeth and gums. |
Shelf life | Carbamide peroxide | Carbamide peroxide is a stable, less reactive combination than hydrogen peroxide. |
Maximum whitening | Hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide | Studies suggest that, despite their differences, both ingredients have similar whitening abilities. |
The best teeth whitening gel
So, which are the best teeth whitening gels used by dentists? UK patients have a wide range of products to choose from. After analysing the rankings of the country’s leading healthcare providers and beauty experts, we have identified the top five teeth whitening kits - all of which contain hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide.
- Spotlight Oral Care Professional LED Teeth Whitening System (Hydrogen Peroxide)
- Philips Zoom! NiteWhite (Carbamide Peroxide)
- SmilePro Advanced Teeth Whitening Kit (Hydrogen Peroxide)
- Colgate Max White Ultimate At Home LED Teeth Whitening Kit (Hydrogen Peroxide)
- Opalescence Go Prefilled Teeth Whitening Trays (Hydrogen Peroxide)
Conclusion:
Choosing a tooth whitening gel doesn’t have to be complicated. We highly advise carrying out your own research to decide which ingredient you prefer, carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide, and following the brand’s specific instructions to ensure a safe (and effective) smile transformation. If you have any questions about teeth whitening or want to invest in a high-quality whitening treatment, contact us today.