Expert: Jeff Dalin DDS - 9/7/2006

Question
Hi,
I really want to have my teeth whitened but cannot afford to have it done professionally at the dentist. I have seen kits for home whitening that offer an 'ionising blue light technology' system and you use something called 'Carbamide Peroxide gel'. The kits say that dentists use this gel - Do dentists use this gel? If so at what concentration (kits sell 22% and 35%)? Does this damage your teeth? If so is there any "safe" home whitening kit that works? I have seen kits with 'hydrogen peroxide', and toothpaste with a 'Bromaine Complex' is this any safer?
Many Thanks for your time,
Diana

Answer
Diana
Carbamide peroxide is what we use in our offices. The brands we use do not hurt your teeth or gums. We do use it in different forms than what is available over the counter. So I cannot give you any definitive answers here. Patients ask me all of the time if they can try one of these. Usually they will try crest whitestrips. I feel this one is safe because it is backed by a large company, Procter and Gamble. I feel that they have tested it enough. Many older patients report minimal effects after using the strips. THey want to see more whitening than they give. Younger patients and teens seem to do better with it and get some pretty good results. I am now sure what kit or brand you are asking about. There are countless ones out there. Is it safe? I cannot tell you for sure without looking at it. Go slowly with it. Make sure it is not burning your gums or making your teeth hurt. If it does, stop using it right away. For the most part, most of these over the counter products will not hurt the patient if used as directed. They also usually will not give that much results. But occasionally someone will come in with great results. So since they are inexpensive, try one and see if it works for you. If it does not, you always have the option of going into your dentist to have him/her do it. Good luck,

Jeff Dalin, DDS