subject: Peroxide Whitening - Protecting Your Teeth [print this page] If you're doing your research before deciding on a teeth whitening product, you will have heard of Hydrogen Peroxide which is used in peroxide whitening products. It sounds like a pretty scary chemical so I've written this article to tell you a bit about it.
Made of hydrogen and oxygen, Hydrogen Peroxide is not only used to whiten teeth. Its other common uses include varieties of bleach such as disinfectant, as well as paper and textile bleaching. It is used at different concentrates, basically, the more you concentrate the peroxide, the more powerful your whitening will be.
Hydrogen Peroxide shouldn't be confused with Carbamide Peroxide - the latter is included in some teeth whitening recipes to prolong the life of the product, as hydrogen is a faster reacting chemical so has a short shelf life.
But what about side effects? Well, the two most common side effects include mild gum irritation after use, and some people experience increased tooth sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures. The good news is that both effects are only temporary.
After you apply peroxide to whiten your teeth, it actually passes through the enamel and works on the inner part of your tooth, which are the dentine and pulp parts. This doesn't hurt the enamel on your teeth, in fact the peroxide whitening process has been tested exhaustively and has been deemed safe by the American Dental Association.
If you've had dental work that you're concerned about discolouring, Hydrogen Peroxide does not change the colour of most dental work. Fillings, porcelain or ceramic teeth and the like are too hard for your peroxide whitening solution to penetrate. If you have dental work that is more porous, such as cements, talk to your dentist before proceeding just in case.
by: samhunter
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