How Tooth Whitening Works

Now that we are all tooth stain experts (if you aren't, go ahead and read my last post), we can discuss how tooth whitening works. Guess what? Its really simple. The active ingredient in the vast majority of tooth whitening products, professional or for home, is hydrogen peroxide. Either the product directly contains hydrogen peroxide or stuff called carbamide peroxide which ultimately breaks down into hydrogen peroxide. When enough hydrogen peroxide is applied to your teeth for a long enough period of time, it will diffuse through your enamel and react with any intrinsic staining. The chemical term for this reaction is oxidation, but all that's really necessary to know is that it turns the stain invisible. Its still there, but light will pass through it much more easily.

So what's the difference between at home and in office whitening? Concentration. In office whitening has about twice as much hydrogen peroxide in its at home cousin. This is important, because concentration along with duration of treatment and the type of stain that is present are the factors that determine how white your teeth will become.

My next post will give a detailed comparison of at home whitening vs. in office whitening.

-DRS