Are Tooth Whitening Ingredients Safe?

Have you ever heard of bleachorexia? It is when someone bleaches their teeth chronically and it causes damage. That, however, is an extreme. If you get your teeth whitened only occasionally then the whitening ingredients in tooth whitening products are generally safe. Tooth whitening is very popular because it is a simple way to brighten your smile and increase your self-esteem. The flash of an attractive smile can go a long way. Read on to find out more about the ingredients in tooth whitening products.

Ingredients

Peroxide is the active ingredient in most tooth whitening products and when used according to directions will not damage your teeth. There are other ingredients in whitening products too such as abrasives, detergents, and stain blockers.

Peroxide: Peroxide bleaches your tooth enamel and will not harm teeth when utilized in safe concentrations.  There are two types of peroxide, carbamide and hydrogen peroxide. Carbamide peroxide is found in professional tooth whitening formulas, light-activated whitening gels, bleaching gels, and some toothpastes. Hydrogen peroxide is found in whitening strips, whitening mouth rinses, and paint-on whiteners.

Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP): Used to block tooth enamel from

developing stains.

Sodium Bicarbonate (Baking Soda): Baking soda is commonly used as a mild abrasive to help remove tooth stains.

Hydrated Silica: Also used as a mild abrasive to remove tooth stains. It is also used to eliminate plaque when combined with calcium carbonate.

Sodium Tripolyphosphate: A detergent used to help remove tooth stains.

Calprox: Calprox is a non-abrasive ingredient that is used to dissolve the pellicle layer on teeth. That is the layer of the tooth that stains adhere to.

To Combat Tooth Sensitivity

Sodium Monofluorophosphate (Fluoride): Included in tooth whitening products to reduce tooth sensitivity.

Strontium Chloride: Also reduces tooth sensitivity.

Potassium Nitrate: Used to protect the nerves in the tooth root from sensitivity caused by whitening agents.

ABOUT YOUR GARY, IN DENTIST:

As a native of northwest Indiana, Nicholas Cain, DDS, is dedicated to providing excellent general, preventive, and family dentistry services to the community that raised him. To schedule your appointment, call Healthy Smiles today at 219-938-2637.