FAQs
But when it comes down to it, all you need to know is that they both whiten your teeth, just in different ways. Hydrogen peroxide is more commonly used for day whitening, while carbamide peroxide is used for night whitening. And you can choose which you would prefer when ordering your teeth whitening kits.
Is 20% hydrogen peroxide safe for teeth whitening? ›
The American Dental Association gives a thumbs up to whiteners with up to 10% peroxide concentrations. Any higher than 10%, and you're at-risk for destroying your precious enamel.
What strength peroxide do dentists use? ›
Today, most dentists use hydrogen and carbamide peroxide gels between 10-40%, which are chemically activated or by different light sources, such as halogen light, laser or plasma arc [9], See (Table 1).
What percentage carbamide peroxide do dentists use? ›
On the day scheduled for the procedure, the professionals will place a rubber shield known as a dental dam to protect your gums before applying the bleaching agent. It could be a solution of hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide, and the concentration will be around 10 percent to 35 percent.
What is carbamide peroxide used for in dentistry? ›
CARBAMIDE PEROXIDE (CAR bah mide per OX ide) is used to help relieve canker sores or other irritations inside the mouth. It can also be used for oral hygiene. This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.
Is carbamide peroxide better than hydrogen peroxide for teeth whitening? ›
Hydrogen peroxide is stronger than carbamide peroxide. To compare, if you are considering buying 16% carbamide peroxide, it is roughly equivalent to 6% hydrogen peroxide. There are a variety of active ingredients to whiten teeth: from sodium fluoride to hydrogen peroxide and even carbamide peroxide.
How long do you leave 20 peroxide on your teeth? ›
Lightly tap tray to adapt tray sides to teeth. Wear Opalescence 20% for 2 to 4 hours.
What is the best hydrogen peroxide concentration for teeth whitening? ›
This suggests that low-concentration treatments of hydrogen peroxide, applied for shorter periods, have the least potential to damage your teeth. According to a 2004 study, scientists found that a 5 percent hydrogen peroxide solution was just as effective as a 25 percent solution at whitening teeth.
What is the strongest percentage of teeth whitening? ›
At-home systems contain from 3% to 20% peroxide (carbamide or hydrogen peroxides). In-office systems contain from 15% to 43% peroxide. Generally, the stronger the solution and the longer you keep it on your teeth, the whiter your teeth become.
What is the best percentage of gel for teeth whitening? ›
However, this study showed that after the first week of treatment, 10 and 16% carbamide peroxide concentrations were significantly more effective than the 37% concentration. From this study, it appears that the factor contact time of bleaching agent was more important than the concentration of gels.
Custom-fitted trays and in-office treatments are the safest and most effective ways to whiten teeth. ADA-approved over-the-counter toothpastes, gels, and strips are more affordable and convenient options.
How long can I leave carbamide peroxide on my teeth? ›
Recommended wear time is 2 hours-10 hours (overnight). If you have tooth sensitivity*, reduce to 1 hour twice per day or 1 hour once every 3 days.
What are the side effects of carbamide peroxide teeth whitening? ›
Teeth whitening side effects
- Soft tissue irritation. Many people have opted for teeth whitening. ...
- Sensitivity of teeth. You cannot predict how sensitive your teeth are until after a teeth whitening procedure. ...
- Blotchy appearance. Carbamide peroxide breaks down into hydrogen peroxide, a bleaching agent. ...
- Discomfort and pain.
When should you not use carbamide peroxide? ›
If you have any of the following health problems, consult your doctor or pharmacist before using this product: other ear problems (such as ear drainage, infection, pain, rash, injury, recent ear surgery, hole/perforation in the eardrum), dizziness.
Does carbamide peroxide affect enamel? ›
Overall, when carbamide peroxide comes in contact with the outer enamel surface, it breaks down into water and oxygen, which diffuses through the organic content of enamel. This causes oxidation of organic pigments that are mainly located within dentine, which results in a reduction or elimination of the discoloration.
Does carbamide peroxide remove plaque? ›
Composed of 6.5% urea and 3.5% peroxide, 10% CP is active up to 10 hours in the mouth, while hydrogen peroxide is only active for 30 to 60 minutes. It further removes plaque, kills bacteria and elevates the mouth's pH which results in fewer caries and acts as a tissue healing agent.
What percentage of hydrogen peroxide is allowed in professional teeth whitening? ›
The legal limit for a dentist to use is between 0.1% and 6% hydrogen peroxide. These higher percentage products used by a dental professional will produce a safe, effective and long-lasting tooth lightening result.
What level of hydrogen peroxide is safe for teeth? ›
Choose the right concentration: A low concentration of Hydrogen Peroxide (around 3% to 6%) is safe to use for teeth whitening usually without any side effects. Hydrogen Peroxide can produce certain side effects like gum or tooth sensitivity if used often in high concentration.
What percentage of hydrogen peroxide is in office teeth whitening? ›
Nowadays, it is possible to apply hydrogen peroxide (HP) for in-office-bleaching in concentrations ranging from 6 to 40% [2,3]. ...