What is the composition of the tooth whiteners intended for use with tray-based teeth whitening technique?
An overview of compounds typically found in the ingredient list of tooth whitening gels.
Those whiteners that are intended for use with tray-based at-home tooth whitening technique must possess certain specific characteristics. And while each manufacturer will have their own proprietary formulation for their whitening gel, in general, the following compounds are typically found in the ingredient list of these types of products.
A Whitening Agent (Carbamide Peroxide)
The active ingredient contained in those tooth whiteners that are appropriate for use with tray-based at-home teeth whitening technique as we describe on our pages is carbamide peroxide. When exposed to water (which of course is abundant in the oral environment), carbamide peroxide breaks down in to hydrogen peroxide and urea. It is the hydrogen peroxide component that produces the tooth whitening effect.
It is common that a company will manufacture more than one whitening gel product, each of which has its own specific carbamide peroxide concentration (typically ranging somewhere between 10 and 38%). The advantage of a higher concentration whitener is that the tooth whitening effect can be created more rapidly. The disadvantage associated with a higher concentration gel is that it will be more likely to create bleaching side effects such as tooth sensitivity and gum irritation. Both forms, either a relatively higher or lower concentration whitening gel, can be expected to produce an essentially identical level of lightening effect.
Why don't we discuss the use of hydrogen peroxide whitening gels?
On our pages we may seem somewhat critical of whitening gels formulated with hydrogen peroxide instead of carbamide peroxide. At least some of this bias is founded on the history of at-home tray-based teeth whitening technique.
Carbamide peroxide-based whitener was the first type of bleaching gel used with tray-based technique. And over the years has been the most studied. We think it's a good choice. However, we will readily concede that several quality manufacturers do make hydrogen peroxide based gels.
Another concern that we have is that not all whiteners are intended to be used in the same fashion. The specific peroxide used in its formulation, the concentration of this peroxide and the pH of the whitener all play profound roles in determining what application time frame is suitable for the product. Since we don't want to create any confusion for our readers, on our pages we only discuss the use of a 10% carbamide peroxide whitening gel with tray-based at-home teeth whitening methodology. This way we can be specific and accurate in our description of this technique.
Gelling Agents
Desensitizing Agents
Some manufacturers feel that including a desensitizing agent (typically a fluoride compound) in the formulation of their whitening gels can help to minimize the degree of bleaching-induced tooth sensitivity that their products' users experience.
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As a point of interest, here's a listing of some of the brands of whiteners sold directly to dentists for use with their patients that do contain a densensitizing agent.
Nupro White Take Home, Discus Dental NightWhite, Discus Dental DayWhite, GC TiON Take Home, Natural Elegance Plus, Venus White, Pola Day, Pola Night, Opalescence PF [ Source: Dentistry Today. Guide to At-Home Whitening Systems. December 2008. ] |
Flavoring Agents
In an attempt to make the use of their whitening gel as pleasant as possible, many manufacturers include a flavoring agent in the formulation of their products. This is especially true with tooth whiteners that contain a relatively higher concentration of bleaching agent.
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As a point of interest, here's a list of some of the brands of whiteners sold directly to dentists for use with their patients that do contain flavoring.
Beyond StayWhite, sapphire Take Home, Nupro White Take Home, Discus Dental NightWhite, Discus Dental DayWhite, Zoom! Weekender, Natural Elegance Plus, Venus White, Life-Like Cosmetic Solutions, Omni White & Brite, Pola Day, Pola Night, Star White, Opalescence PF [ Source: Dentistry Today. Guide to At-Home Whitening Systems. December 2008. ] |
Stabilizers
Peroxides tend to break down over time and for this reason the formulation of most ready to use whitening gels includes a stabilizer. Unless otherwise stated, you can anticipate that most carbamide peroxide products are intended to have a shelf life of at least one year.
Buffering Agents
The pH (the measure of acidity) of a whitening product should be as close to neutral (pH 7.0) as possible. Whiteners that possess a high degree of acidity are more likely to be associated with bleaching-induced sensitivity and, in extreme case, even tooth damage.
As an industry standard, it generally considered that an acceptable pH range for whitening gels is between 5.5 to 8.0. As a way of achieving this measure, most whitening gels have buffering agents included in their formulations.
