With so many options in teeth whitening solutions is can often be hard to decide what the best treatment method is. Dentists have been working with patients for years in an effort to get whiter, and more importantly, healthier teeth so we know the best way to get the brighter smile you have been looking for. With smiles being important for confidence, it is important that you get the teeth whitening solution that is best suited for you and will quickly give you that smile you have always wanted. While some store bought solutions can have the same effect, there are distinct differences that you should be aware of when deciding how to proceed with teeth whitening.
Are the chemicals used in teeth whitening the same over the counter as at the dentist’s office?
The main ingredient in teeth whitening is hydrogen peroxide, which serves to remove stains and whiten teeth. In some store bought solutions, there is carbamide peroxide, which consists largely of hydrogen peroxide. The solution that we use at the dentist’s office also has hydrogen peroxide. That is where the similarities end. The chemical make-up of the solution that one can purchase from the store consists of around 3% hydrogen peroxide. This means that you will get whiter teeth, but the process will take longer. On the other hand, dentists have at our disposal gels that have a significantly higher percentage of hydrogen peroxide. Because of the high strength of the bleaching agent, only medical professionals can administer these gels. A dentist can use solutions which have between 15% and 43% hydrogen peroxide and will take care to protect your gums and soft tissue from coming in contact with them so as to ensure that you do not have irritation.
Some store bought solutions use dental trays, isn’t this the same as the dentist office teeth whitening process?
Using trays is the most effective way of whitening your teeth. Fundamentally a tray is designed to fit over your teeth and stay in place. This allows for you (or your dentist) to place the teeth whitening gel into the tray and bring it in direct contact with the teeth. As a result, both dentists and over the counter solutions use them. There are differences, however, between the two.
When we make you a tray at our dentist office, it is designed specifically for your mouth. To do this, we will take an impression of your teeth and then use that as a mold to create a custom tray which will fit exactly over your teeth. What this does is it reduces the ability of the gel to come in contact with your gums or soft tissue. It also ensures that the gel remains in contact with your teeth for the most amount of time, leading to better results. On the other hand, the product bought at the store provides you with a one size fits all tray. While this may fit your mouth perfectly, it could also leave gaps which could result in the gel leaking and coming in contact with your gums which can lead to irritation.
Regardless of what solution you chose, it is always recommended that you meet with your dentist first to discuss your options. This allows you to make an informed decision and reach out to your doctor if some form of irritation should occur while using an over the counter teeth whitening solution.
