Carbamide Peroxide

Carbamide peroxide is an oxidizing agent which consists of hydrogen peroxide compounded with urea. The hydrogen peroxide is weak acid with strong bleaching properties while urea aids in expelling nitrogen. Carbamide peroxide is the most popular option for teeth whitening in cosmetic dentistry. The reason it has proven more popular than using straight hydrogen peroxide is due to its safety.

A teeth whitening solution that contains over 35% carbamide peroxide can cause soreness and even chemical burns which is why most teeth whitening kits contain between 10% to 22%. Because of the low concentration of carbamide peroxide it usually takes two to three weeks to see the desired results of these whitening kits.

The Risks of Carbamide Peroxide

For years people have believed that teeth bleaching can seriously damage tooth enamel, however recent studies suggest that this is not true. One long-term study on patients using tetracycline has shown that after using a high concentration teeth bleach overnight for 6 months that the loss of tooth enamel was insignificant at most.

How Carbamide Peroxide Whitening Works

Home teeth whitening kits come with either a mouth tray or a strip which contain a certain concentration level of carbamide peroxide. You can either use the trays or strips during the day for a few hours or leave them on overnight.

The oxidizing agent in carbamide peroxide (hydrogen peroxide) penetrates the crystal structure of the enamel and oxidizes any stain deposits. With frequent use the dentin, which lies underneath the enamel, is also oxidized and whitened.

Depending on such factors as the patient’s diet and whether they smoke, the effects of carbamide peroxide can last for several months or even several years. Since you can get a home whitening kit for under $100 this can be an extremely affordable and effective way to whiten your teeth.