How Do Teeth Whiteners Work?
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In Pursuit of a Whiter Smile
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In 2005, according to the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, Americans spent a staggering $1.4 billion dollars on drugstore and dentist recommended whiteners. While the goal of a more radiant smile is enticing, it's important to understand how teeth whiteners work and how safe are they for your teeth.
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Active Ingredients
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Most teeth whitening products such as toothpaste, whitening spray or brush-on gel solutions have a 3 percent hydrogen peroxide component. In the case of teeth whitening trays, a 10 percent carbamide peroxide solution is in a formulated gel. It's the action of the carbamide peroxide when put together with water and a heat or light source that works to whiten teeth.
For example, when the peroxide is applied to teeth, the composite elements change---or oxidize---into oxygen molecules. These molecules produce free radicals. The new peroxide molecules then break down the compounds that are locked onto the tiny pores in the tooth enamel and dentin, turning it into a colorless byproduct. This change creates a lightening effect. Since carbamide peroxide is more stable and degrades more slowly than hydrogen peroxide, it has a longer shelf life and a more predictable result. About 50 percent of its whitening happens within the first two to six hours.
Health-related Questions
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Dentist monitored at-home teeth whitening products have not been shown to produce a carcinogenic risk according to independent dental physician studies, and do not cause cellular damage. The concentration of peroxide is quite low, the contact with gum tissue is minimal and, with proper dental guidelines, safe to use. Also, a naturally produced compound within our saliva provides a defense against the adverse effects of peroxide by neutralizing approximately 30 mg within one minute of its arrival.
Damage Long Term
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Studies conducted for over a decade by the American Dental Association (ADA) have produced literature that states that there is no effect on the "microhardness"---read this as mineral content---of tooth surfaces when using 10 percent carbamide peroxide whiteners. Comparison studies show that exposure to soft drinks or fruit juices cause similar results.
Dental Work Cautions
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Depending on the type of filling material used, there might be some degree of color change that could result in unwanted problems. If this is your concern, you'd best check with your dentist directly before taking on any at-home system.
Methylmethacrylate, a dental plastic, can turn orange under the presence of a peroxide whitener and a dental amalgam filling can turn green. In addition, some porcelain veneers, crowns or bridges may be permeated from the backside, changing the color of one or more teeth in particular.
There have been guidelines for certain dental products in the past, but not all manufacturers need to participate because the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not put tooth whiteners into the same category as a drug. It is suggested by the dental community in general that at-home tray-based products not exceed the 10 percent carbamide peroxide concentration.
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