Here we will list and explain a number of myths that exist in teeth whitening. It can be difficult to know what to believe when you read about the same subject on different places with entirely different explanations and claims. We will address topics that have appeared during our programs and regular claims to give the correct explanation once and for all.

What is it that whitens teeth?
How come that the enamel is affected by certain types of tooth whitening, but not by others?
What is Hydrogen Peroxide?
What is Carbamide?
What is Hydrogen?
What concentration of Hydrogen Peroxide are you allowed to sell over the counter or from your webshop to Swedish consumers?
What concentration of Carbamide Peroxide are you allowed to sell over the counter or from your webshop to Swedish consumers?
Pregnant / nursing
Can you whiten your teeth if you have a tooth jewel? What happens then?
Can you whiten your teeth if you have a filling? And What happenes with the filling?
Home bleaching from the internet is really the same as at the dentist?
Can EVERYONE actually get whiter teeth?
Can toothpaste whiten teeth?

What is it that whitens teeth?
The thing that bleaches the discoloration from the tooth enamel is an oxidation reduction (redox) reaction that splits up long-colored molecules into smaller colorless molecules. These molecules are then broken down to carbon dioxide CO2 and water. Hydrogen peroxide or other oxidizing substance releases "single" oxygen atoms called free radicals. These free radicals then finds the organic molecules and breaks them down.

How come that the enamel is affected by certain types of tooth whitening, but not by others?
To be able to understand why, you must know a little bit about the tooth structure. Enamel consists mainly of inorganic material closer to 96%. Tooth whitening which uses oxidationsmetoden will not harm the enamel when the free radicals only affects organic matter and therefore give the enamel completely unaffected. This theory is in most cases.

Many drugs are either alkaline or acidic in pH, it is common that they include for example phosphoric acid. bleaching preparations that are not pH neutral, will affect the enamel in the form of erosions. The reason for the producers want acidic or alkaline bleaching preparations is that it is easier to produce effective drugs when etching of the enamel contributes to increased bleaching power at the expense of enamel.

One reason why some manufacturers want acidic or alkaline tooth whitening preparations is that it makes it easier to achieve results, since etching of the enamel contributes to the whitening, but at the expense of the enamel. Another reason might also be the risk of patent infringement by selling PH-neutral preparations in some parts of the world.

Always make sure that the PH-value of the toothwhitening preparation that you intend to use is neutral. This also applies to tooth whitening preparations that you intend to purchase from a dentist. The PH-value should be 7 so that the preparation is harmful to the enamel.

What is Hydrogen Peroxide?
Hydrogen peroxide also marketed in Sweden under the brand as Oxygenic, is a chemical compound with formula H2O2. (Wikipedia)

Hydrogen peroxide is used as a bleaching agent in the tooth whitening industry. Hydrogen peroxide is available in different strengths for different uses. For example, one 3% solution can be used for wound cleaning and a 6% to 35% solution for tooth whitening.

What is Carbamide?
Carbamide, also known as urea peroxide, is a compound of urea (carbamide) and hydrogen peroxide (CH6N2O3, or CH4N2O.H2O2).

What is Hydrogen?
Hydrogen peroxide or hydrogen is English for Hydrogen Peroxide H2O2. One reason to use the English translation would be for marketing purposes.

What concentration of Hydrogen Peroxide are you allowed to sell over the counter or from your webshop to Swedish consumers?
What concentration of Carbamide Peroxide are you allowed to sell over the counter or from your webshop to Swedish consumers?
Hydrogen peroxide in high concentrations may not be sold in retail in the OTC market or through shop.

Pregnant / nursing
A tooth whitening conducted in the correct way on is a non-invasive treatment. Tooth whitening preparations which are placed on the teeth are removed by suction. The amount of tooth whitening preparations is therefore basically immeasurable. In addition, there are no studies showing that it is dangerous for the baby or the mother.

Why has the majority (including Brilliant Smile) pregnancy or breast-feeding as a contraindication? Because there are no studies showing that the child or mother is not affected by tooth bleaching. Therefore recommended to be avoided.

Can you whiten your teeth if you have a tooth jewel? What happens then?
Yes, you can whiten your teeth if you have a tooth jewel. Tooth Jewelry is composed of inorganic material and is not affected by bleaching.

Keep in mind that the gel can not whiten the tooth behind tooth jewelry, which can lead to that the tooth is a little discolored behind the jewelry the day you choose to remove it.

Can you whiten your teeth if you have a filling? And What happenes with the filling?
Yes, you can whiten your teeth when you have fillings. The filling consists of inorganic composite materials and are not affected by bleaching. Also, the fill is not affected by color of teeth whitening and can therefore appear as more yellow when the rest of the tooth is bleached.

Superficial organic stains adhering to a filling can be bleached out during a tooth whitening so that a filling can also be somewhat brighter after a bleaching. To be on the safe side count on that you possibly will have to change a visible filling that e.g is sitting on the front tooth.

Home bleaching from the internet is really the same as the dentist?
Homebleaching under EU law can not be sold via websites. The agents still sell drugs through the Swedish sites are usually pretty shady companies owned by foreign companies that can not be traced. These companies often look to the short-term profits and do not bother to buy expensive medical device CE-marked tooth whitening preparations of high quality. Such preparations may have pH values that are acidic or alkaline, which run the risk of damage to tooth enamel. There may be drugs that damage your gums or otherwise have negative effects on your teeth. As preparations are not controlled, you will not know this before purchase and use. It is usually not the same drugs sold through dentists. We strongly advise you not buy this kind of "cheap" network products. Turn instead to a reputable clinic that can give you a customized teeth whitening solution along your needs.

Can EVERYONE actually get whiter teeth?
Most people can get significantly whiter teeth of whitening! Approximately 15-20% of the population for various reasons, are difficult to bleach! Examples of difficult stains can be very dark, discolored teeth, teeth thick, gray discoloration, translucency, fluorosis, pharmaceutical discoloration, red pigments in the teeth, etc. In these cases it may require prolonged bleaching to achieve desired results.

There are a few people who do not get any results at all. Although it is very rare, it occures in rare cases. These usually have stains that are not organic and therefore not affected at all by teeth whitening.

Can toothpaste whiten teeth?
Toothpaste can not whiten your teeth like real tooth whitening can. A toothpaste may however remove surface stains, tartar and plaque so that the tooth becomes brighter.

A bleaching is effective in the tooth enamel and bleaches away the stains found deep inside the enamel. This can never be achieved with a toothpaste for two reasons. The first is that the toothpastes does not normally generate free radicals and the second is the exposure time is too short for the bleaching effect to be achievable.

In some countries outside Europe, you can find toothpaste that contains carbamide peroxide. These would need to used for hours at a time for a significant whitening effect. That is obviously no good option.

Surface stains can be removed using toothpaste, in different ways. One way is to grind away discoloration makers, which then has a negative impact on the enamel. Avoid using abrasive toothpastes daily. Unfortunately, many of the inexpensive whitening toothpastes that you can find in stores are damaging abrasive on the enamel (slip factor; RDA 100 or more).

Another way to remove surface stains is to use toothpaste that dissolves the discoloration, but not the grind. These toothpastes are suitable for daily use but are generally more expensive ingredients that are normally reflected in the final prices.