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Laurence Bohan 
Content Writer
Laurence Bohan 
Content Writer

Laurence is a copywriter and trained journalist. His passion is creating insightful and educational content for dental professionals of every level. Outside of work, he enjoys watching sport, quizzing and spending time with his family.

It is no secret that the demand for teeth whitening has increased substantially over recent years as more people look to brighten their smile. Knowing what questions are already on the mind of potential patients can help you advertise whitening in your practice more effectively and equip you with all the information needed to confidently respond to any query. Here are the 6 of the most common questions people have on teeth whitening.

How Does Teeth Whitening Work?

For many patients, teeth whitening can be simply explained as the process of bleaching your teeth to make them lighter. For those who want to know a bit more about the science behind this, it is worth explaining the role hydrogen peroxide (HP) and carbamide peroxide (CP) play in the process. Hydrogen peroxide is water (H2O) with an extra oxygen molecule (H2O2). The extra oxygen molecule oxidizes and gives peroxide its germ killing and bleaching power. The release of oxygen molecules penetrates the colour pigments inside the tooth, altering the shade of the teeth without effecting tooth structure. HP breaks down quickly and works fast to whiten teeth, releasing most of its whitening power within the first 30 to 60 minutes of application. Carbamide peroxide works the same way, but breaks down at a slower speed compared to HP. CP's oxidizing power releases in the first 2 hours, then continues to work for up to 6 more hours. Because it spends more time in contact with the teeth, it is often used in whitening products that are worn overnight.

Is Teeth Whitening Safe?

Safety is one of the most important things to communicate with patients in your marketing and consultations. Professional teeth whitening overseen by a dentist is the only way patients can guarantee that what they are putting on their teeth is safe. When you quote a price to your patient, don’t be surprised if they mention a much cheaper product they’ve seen on the internet.

Let your patients know that DIY home whitening kits can be dangerous, uncomfortable, illegal and in most cases inferior to professional whitening treatment. In worst-case scenarios, DIY home whitening kits can cause burns, scarring and even tooth loss if too much hydrogen peroxide (HP) or carbamide peroxide (CP) is used in the product.

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