Safest Teeth Whiteners
The safest ways to whiten your teeth explained
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A person’s teeth can become yellow or discolored for various reasons. Some people use teeth whitening products to brighten them.
Most whitening products contain either carbamide or hydrogen peroxide gel (or a combination). Most people are more familiar with hydrogen peroxide.
A peroxide is defined as any compound with two oxygen atoms. Adding hydrogen makes hydrogen peroxide, which is an oxidizing agent.
Hydrogen peroxide causes a chemical reaction where the oxygen atoms lose electrons. This interaction changes the substance it’s applied to.
Regarding teeth whitening, hydrogen peroxide introduces a chemical reaction that involves dissolving teeth stains.
Carbamide peroxide is a combination of hydrogen peroxide and carbamide. It has a slightly different chemical makeup.
Similar to hydrogen peroxide, carbamide peroxide is also an oxidizing agent. It removes stains the same way hydrogen peroxide does, but at a slower rate. Professional whitening systems often use hydrogen peroxide because you get instant, white results.
Learn about the safest ways to whiten your teeth.
Carbamide peroxide can be used safely at home without dental supervision. However, we always recommend discussing at-home whitening with your dentist first.
A 16 to 35% carbamide peroxide concentration is generally safe and effective for whitening teeth.1
A 35% concentration provides significantly more whitening effects compared to a 16% concentration. This is without additional side effects.1
There are several side effects of carbamide peroxide whitening:
Gum irritation can occur from a poorly-fitted whitening tray. It can also develop from the carbamide peroxide whitening product itself.
If the whitening product comes into contact with your gums, you may experience irritation. Custom trays prevent this problem. They are scalloped along your unique gumline.
Over-the-counter (OTC) whitening products typically use trays that overlap the gums. Ill-fitting trays (universal options) can also rub against your gums and lead to an infection. This is relatively rare.
This side effect includes sensitivity to air, thermal sensitivity, and tooth sensitivity:
People with a history of tooth sensitivity may be more likely to develop sensitivity while using carbamide peroxide.
Some ways to reduce tooth sensitivity include using anti-sensitivity toothpaste or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications to reduce the inflammation.
You can accidentally swallow carbamide peroxide gel while whitening. This is especially true if you use the product overnight.
Throat contact can lead to irritation. However, since the product is usually in contact with the throat for a short time, this side effect should pass quickly.
Uneven whitening is more common with high concentrations of peroxide. This effect usually diminishes after a few uses.
Carbamide peroxide side effects are fairly common. For most people, they aren’t noticeable or harsh enough to stop them from using the products. To reduce side effects, whiten with peroxide less frequently or use lower concentrations.
See NewMouth’s top 10 teeth whitening products of 2022.
Hydrogen peroxide alone is a powerful whitening agent.
Carbon peroxide is also an effective whitening agent. It contains hydrogen peroxide at a ratio of 1:3. For example, a product with 30% carbamide peroxide contains around 10% hydrogen peroxide.
Hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide both produce effective teeth whitening results.
However, there are both differences and similarities:
Here are some of the best carbamide peroxide whitening products on the market.
AuroGlow’s Teeth Whitening Kit combines professional whitening gel with LED light technology. This treatment helps remove stains in just 30 minutes a day.
The complete kit:2
A clinical study of the AuraGlow 35% carbamide peroxide whitening gel confirmed these statements.4
AuroGlow’s Teeth Whitening Kit combines professional whitening gel with LED light technology. This treatment helps remove stains in just 30 minutes a day.
AuroGlow’s Teeth Whitening Pen is an effective way to whiten teeth quickly.
To use, click the bottom of the pen. Then brush the gel onto the teeth for a whiter smile.
The whitening pen:3
A clinical study of the AuraGlow 35% carbamide peroxide whitening gel confirmed these statements.4
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