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A pleasantly flavored peroxide-based teeth bleaching gel is the foundation of almost every teeth whitening treatment. The peroxide in the gel is responsible for the bleaching reaction, and the gel is formulated to remain on the teeth long enough for some bleaching to occur. The flavor is also there to make sure the gel stays on long enough for the bleaching to occur.

Over-The-Counter Vs. Professional Gels

Over-the-counter teeth bleaching gels do not have a high enough concentration of peroxide to require that a dental professional apply them. The kits containing these kinds of gel are both inexpensive and user-friendly. They require the user only to place a small amount of gel into the included mouthpiece, insert the mouthpiece into his or her mouth, and let the gel remain in contact with the teeth for the time specified in the kit's instructions, but usually for a minimum of half an hour. They also require that the treatments continue daily between three weeks and a month.

Professional teeth bleaching procedures also use teeth bleaching gel; only the dentist will be using a customized mouthpiece made from a mold of the patient's teeth. The patient is assured that the teeth bleaching gel will cover his or her teeth much more evenly than with a home teeth bleaching kit.

The dentist will expose the teeth bleaching gel to a laser light pulse, multiplying the whitening effect of the teeth bleaching gel so much that at the end of the session, the patient can expect his or her teeth to be between five and eight shades lighter. And they will remain so for between two and five years, depending on how careful the patient is about limiting tea, coffee, and other discoloring substances.

While simply brushing with tooth whitening toothpastes is much cheaper and simpler than using kits or having professional teeth whitening done, the level of peroxide in the teeth bleaching gel in them is so low that the results are minimal. The toothpastes are useful, however, in maintaining the results from more aggressive treatments.

The Risks

The degree of tooth discoloration someone has will be a factor in the effectiveness of the teeth bleaching gel used to treat it. The more concentrated the peroxide in the gel, the more effective it will be; but stronger peroxide can lead to sore or even ulcerated gums. And teeth bleaching gel also contains abrasives; it can eventually thin tooth enamel.

Fruit-flavored teeth bleaching gel is the most popular; but its comforting taste does not eliminate the possibility that it may eventually harm the user's teeth. So if you are considering any form of teeth whitening first speak to a teeth whitening professional about your specific needs and what treatment will be the safest and most effective way to get you the smile you want!

Teeth whitening gel, generally safe for a single set of treatments, can cause gum irritation over the long term. So if you start at home teeth whitening treatments, be sure to wipe any excess gel off your gums immediately, and any remaining gel off your teeth at the end of the daily treatments. Doing so will ensure that sore gums do not get in the way of your finally being able to answer the smiles you receive by giving back a big bright smile of your own!