If you’ve heard of tooth whitening, then you have probably heard of hydrogen peroxide. It is a chemical that is used in teeth whitening treatments all across the globe.

It doesn’t matter whether you have an at home over the counter whitening kit or whether you are visiting a dentist to whiten your teeth for you, your teeth are going to be bleached with this chemical substance. There really is no other way of doing it. Many other chemicals have been tested in labs in the past. But the one that delivers the results is hydrogen peroxide!

Hydrogen Peroxide Teeth Whitening

Here’s how it works. The stains that are making your teeth look darker and yellower, are caused by a build up of molecules in your tooth enamel. Your teeth become darker naturally as you age, because the minerals in your enamel change in structure.

But smoking adds to your teeth becoming darker and yellower. Also, the drinking of things such as wine, tea, soda and coffee makes your teeth more stained over the years.

Usually, a carbamide peroxide gel is used by the dentist to whiten your teeth. It’s applied to your teeth and once it comes into contact with the moist environment of your mouth, it starts reacting.

The hydrogen peroxide is released and it gets into your tooth enamel. There it breaks down all the unsightly stains that you are trying to get rid of. It also slightly breaks down your tooth enamel. But if only a little bit of damage is done, your enamel will recover.

A dentist will know what he’s doing, so you are unlikely to develop nasty side effects such as getting more sensitive teeth permanently. In the past, however, there have been people who have damaged their enamel too much and now have more sensitive teeth because of it. This cannot be undone. So while peroxide can make your teeth whiter, you definitely need to be careful with it, because it can also damage your teeth.

Steve Whittman