The teeth whitening industry has grown tremendously in recent years with many consumers opting for at-home procedures rather than office ones. Moreover, technologies have been improved and dentists are using quicker, better methods than were available just five or ten years ago. For example, one of the improved methods available in a dentists’ office today is a Sapphire Whitening Light, which is a high-tech light technology that gets the job done right yet can be incredibly expensive.

Whether you have been thinking about teeth whitening or are looking at specific products to use, the main methods of whitening all boil down to peroxide compounds. Peroxide compounds are the active ingredient in the majority of teeth whitening procedures aside from specialty dental procedures that use lasers or other methods. However, peroxide compounds have the ability to penetrate the inner enamel of your teeth, producing a whiter look through a process called oxidation.

When you’re comparing teeth whitening products or services, two of the major peroxide compounds that can be found are those that use hydrogen peroxide and those that use carbamide peroxide. Both of these active ingredients work effectively, but carbamide peroxide is a little stronger and may only be found in prescription teeth whitening products from the dentists since it is regulated more than hydrogen peroxide is. Whether the teeth whitening product you have contains hydrogen or carbamide peroxide, though, they both have the ability to eliminate the discoloration of your teeth.

However, no matter which method of teeth whitening you choose or the product you opt to buy, the process is usually instantaneous. Indeed, both in-office procedures such as bleaching provide quick results. In-home methods and do-it-yourself teeth whitening kits can be just as effective, though, with the added benefit of being less expensive and being more easily accessible than specialty dentist procedures or prescriptions.

There are many safety concerns associated with peroxide used in professional teeth whitening treatment. Since the 1990s, this substance has been used in in-office bleaching tray systems and in laser teeth whitening procedures. The gel typically has a large percentage of hydrogen peroxide in order to increase the effectiveness of the procedure and to reduce the amount of time that it takes to achieve dramatic changes when it comes to the color that is reflected on the teeth. The main concern surrounding hydrogen peroxide relates to the fact that it possesses the capability of producing what is referred to as “free radicals” in the medical community.

If you want to understand the safety concerns regarding peroxide on professional teeth whitening services, it is important to understand what free radicals are. These are a type of “piece” that combines with other pieces in order to create a main molecule. Once introduced to a certain area, they will move quickly to try to locate the parts that are needed to make them “whole”. This may result in damage that is considered to be “oxidative”. This means that an individual may suffer from conditions such increased levels of aging, a stroke, or a health condition similar in nature. When it comes to the oral health, hydrogen peroxide may prove to be damaging to the soft tissue gum area, or even to the teeth themselves.

Nearly 100% of the professional teeth whitening procedures performed on individuals contain such high levels of peroxide, which many are starting to veer away from the treatments due to the potential long-term dental conditions that may result from the treatments. If you want to have your teeth bleached, you will be happy to know that there are safer alternatives. At home teeth whitening kits contain only a small amount of hydrogen peroxide. The case studies have shown that small traces of this substance contained in home treatments do not pose long-term dental health complications. If you want to ensure the safety of your mouth, yet want to indulge in teeth whitening, home procedures are your best option.