The History of Peroxide Teeth Whitening

When you think of peroxide, the first thought that might come to your mind is the brown bottle of sputtering liquid that stung when you mother used it to wash your cuts and scrapes. Now days, that liquid does a lot more than wash injuries, peroxide teeth whitening is becoming one of the most popular professional teeth whitening procedures available.


Peroxide Teeth Whitening isn't a brand new concept. Over a hundred years ago, dentists found that hydrogen peroxide could be used for teeth bleaching. In 1917 a simple heat lamp and hydrogen peroxide were used as an effective teeth whitening treatment for dead teeth. At that time the idea of using peroxide teeth whitening to brighten all the teeth in a patient's mouth hadn't been explored. A few years later, dentists discovered that even teeth with live nerves could be lightened by soaking the tooth in a solution made of 30% hydrogen peroxide, which is ten times more potent than the solution you use to clean cuts and scrapes. Because it was so potent, the dentist had to protect the patient's mouth and other teeth by isolating the dark tooth with a special rubber dam.


Twenty years ago, a big advance in professional teeth bleaching was discovered. Dentists found that using a 10% carbamide peroxide solution would allow them to bleach teeth without burning the surrounding tissue or accidentally poisoning the patient.


Bleaching Teeth at home or in the dentist office now days is completely safe. The American Dental Association has endorsed it saying:


"Dentist-prescribed, home-applied bleaching made by a reputable manufacturer or used under the supervision of a dentist in a relatively short-term treatment duration is safe and recognized as most effective in lightening the color of teeth."


Today, bleaching teeth is so easy to do you don't even have to go to the dentist to have it done. Some over the counter teeth whitening kids include:



While over the counter teeth whitening products are inexpensive, they aren't as strong as the products your dentist uses, so the results aren't as bright. Results also take a lot longer to show up. You might have to use some over the counter teeth whitening systems for over a month before you notice any difference in your smile. A better at home alternative is Maximum Teeth Whitening, because it actually uses the very same peroxide teeth whitening strength that your dentist does.