Whether you buy whitening strips, a home whitening kit or go to a cosmetic dentist to have your teeth whitened by laser treatment, the active ingredient will always be some form of teeth whitening gel.
Teeth whitening gel really works because it is made from powerful bleaching agents, either carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide which actively whiten your teeth.
Types of teeth whitening gel
Hydrogen peroxide is a natural chemical compound that has many uses, including as rocket fuel! Hydrogen peroxide whitening gel is used by some cosmetic dentists because of its fast working effect but it can cause harm to the mouth if not applied properly. An added disadvantage to using a Hydrogen peroxide whitening gel is that it has an extremely short shelf life.
Carbamide peroxide is also used by many professional dentists and is the whitening gel of choice for most home kits. Carbamide peroxide is a lower strength hydrogen peroxide derivative and is much safer to use. This form of whitening gel works well over a longer period of treatment and achieves the whitening effect more gradually although there is no discernible difference to results.
Which whitening gel works better?
Choosing a high strength whitening gel is not recommended. The truth is that any teeth whitening gel can work too well and cause problems if it has a too high percentage of active ingredients.
You should always go for a mild to medium strength whitening gel and err on the side of caution. High levels of carbamide peroxide can cause pain and sensitivity to the mouth and you should not use anything over 16 percent according to the Scientific Committee for Consumer Protection of the EU and the FDA.
Teeth whitening gel the best way to whiten your teeth?
Teeth whitening gel is the only real option for whitening your teeth because it actually bleaches them. It does much more than just remove staining like whitening toothpaste or bicarbonate of soda.
It is safe to use but you should ensure that you follow the instructions and only keep the gel in contact with your teeth for the prescribed amount of time. That way you will get the best whitened results without any discomfort or pain to your teeth and gums.
Millions of people have used teeth whitening gel successfully with no ill side effects.
However, teeth whitening gel will not bleach caps, crowns or veneers so you will need to take professional advice from a cosmetic dentist who will be able to carry out more specialised treatment to achieve the same effect.
