Teeth, and more specifically, smiles, are one of the most unique, inimitable things we possess, and they deserve protection.

That said, so many yearn for more confidence in showing their smile to the world. Teeth whitening helps—especially when years of food, wine, coffee, and/or tobacco stains have taken their toll.

Stubborn yellow or brown staining can prove difficult to simply “brush away.” Yes, the right whitening toothpaste with a gentle amount of grit can buff away surface discoloration, but often, the problem lies deeper within the enamel. Factors like aging and genetics contribute to tooth shade too.

Thing You Should Know

When it comes to teeth whitening, it’s important to take several factors into consideration. After all, you want to choose a whitening product that’s both safe and effective. In fact, many potential consumers shy away from teeth whitening out of the fear of decalcification or tooth enamel damage, which is entirely preventable.

Choosing a Safe Whitening Product

Dr. Dan Fischer, founder of Ultradent Products, Inc., as well as Opalescence Whitening products (the #1 professional teeth whitening brand in the world), has always adhered to the following science: “It all comes down to the pH of the whitening product, because the reality is that tooth decalcification is caused by exposure to acidity—or a low pH in the mouth.”

Dr. Fischer adds, “For this reason, all Opalescence teeth whitening products feature a nearly neutral pH that closely matches the pH of the patient’s mouth.”

This prevents harm and decalcification of tooth enamel, allowing patients to whiten their teeth and maintain a healthy smile. Furthermore, while an excess of anything isn’t always the best option, if patients choose a safe, studied, and effective teeth whitening product like Opalescence whitening (under the supervision of their dentist), they can rest assured the product won’t damage their teeth. In fact, most esthetic dentists recommend whitening until the patient’s enamel shade matches the color of the whites of their eyes, then stopping until further whitening is needed.

What about DIY Teeth Whitening?

Are the active ingredients in teeth whitening (e.g., hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide) dangerous, and is one ingredient preferable to the other? What about “natural” ingredients like charcoal or baking soda for teeth whitening?

While trendy, whitening teeth with ingredients found at home or over the counter like charcoal, baking soda may remove surface staining, but can’t lighten the shade of teeth. Additionally, patients using such ingredients run the risk of abrading their tooth enamel, causing long-term damage and discoloration.

Studied, Proven, Safe Teeth Whitening

The only substance proven to whiten tooth enamel color is peroxide—whether it be carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide, with both yielding high quality results.¹ Both amounts of hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide, depending on the product, are in are commonly found in and processed by the body, and are considered safe and non-toxic to use on the teeth. ²

Dentists can help determine the right whitening product for their patient’s unique case, as Ultradent’s Opalescence teeth whitening systems offer solutions featuring both carbamide peroxide and hydrogen peroxide.

There are also methods and kits to accommodate every lifestyle. These include Opalescence Go prefilled disposable whitening trays, Opalescence PF custom teeth whitening, and the Opalescence Boost in-office whitening system.