From the Guidelines
No, 35% hydrogen peroxide is not safe for home use in custom dental trays. For at-home teeth whitening with custom trays, you should only use products containing 10% carbamide peroxide (equivalent to about 3.5% hydrogen peroxide) or lower concentrations. Higher concentrations like 35% peroxide are professional-strength formulations that should only be applied by dental professionals in controlled clinical settings. Using such high concentrations at home significantly increases your risk of severe tooth sensitivity, gum irritation, chemical burns to oral tissues, and permanent enamel damage. Professional dental offices have protective measures, specialized equipment, and training to safely use these high-concentration products. For safe at-home whitening, consult your dentist who can provide appropriate custom trays with the correct peroxide concentration (typically 10-16% carbamide peroxide) and proper instructions for use, including recommended wear time (usually 30 minutes to a few hours daily for 1-2 weeks) 1.
Some key points to consider:
- The provided evidence does not directly address the use of 35% hydrogen peroxide in custom dental trays for teeth whitening.
- However, it does emphasize the importance of following proper infection control and sterilization procedures in dental settings, which implies that high-concentration peroxide solutions should be handled with caution and only used in controlled environments.
- The American Dental Association and other reputable sources recommend using lower concentrations of carbamide peroxide (around 10-16%) for at-home teeth whitening, as these are safer and less likely to cause adverse effects.
- It is essential to consult a dentist before attempting any teeth whitening treatment, especially if you are considering using custom trays with high-concentration peroxide solutions.
In terms of morbidity, mortality, and quality of life, using 35% hydrogen peroxide in custom dental trays at home can lead to severe and potentially long-lasting complications, including tooth sensitivity, gum irritation, and enamel damage. These complications can significantly impact an individual's quality of life, causing pain, discomfort, and decreased self-confidence. Furthermore, if left untreated, these complications can lead to more severe health issues, such as tooth loss or infection, which can have serious consequences for overall health and well-being. Therefore, it is crucial to prioritize caution and consult a dental professional before using any teeth whitening products, especially those with high concentrations of peroxide.
From the Research
Safety and Efficacy of 35% Peroxide for Teeth Whitening
- The use of 35% hydrogen peroxide for teeth whitening has been evaluated in several studies 2, 3.
- A clinical evaluation of a 35% hydrogen peroxide in-office whitening system found that it was effective in whitening teeth, but there was no statistically significant difference between light-curing and no light-curing groups 2.
- Another study compared the effects of 37.5% hydrogen peroxide and 16% carbamide peroxide on enamel morphology and mineral composition, and found that hydrogen peroxide produced greater morphological changes and a greater reduction in calcium and phosphate 3.
- However, it is worth noting that the study that used 35% hydrogen peroxide was an in-office treatment, and not a custom tray-delivered treatment 2.
- Custom tray-delivered treatments typically use lower concentrations of hydrogen peroxide, such as 9% or 20% carbamide peroxide, which have been shown to be effective and safe for teeth whitening 4, 5, 6.
Concentration and Duration of Exposure
- The concentration and duration of exposure to hydrogen peroxide can affect the efficacy and safety of teeth whitening treatments 5, 3.
- Higher concentrations of hydrogen peroxide may be more effective for teeth whitening, but they can also increase the risk of tooth sensitivity and other adverse effects 5, 3.
- The duration of exposure to hydrogen peroxide can also affect the efficacy and safety of teeth whitening treatments, with longer durations of exposure potentially leading to greater whitening effects but also increasing the risk of adverse effects 5, 3.
Custom Tray-Delivered Treatments
- Custom tray-delivered treatments typically use lower concentrations of hydrogen peroxide, such as 9% or 20% carbamide peroxide, which have been shown to be effective and safe for teeth whitening 4, 5, 6.
- These treatments are often used for at-home teeth whitening, and can be customized to fit an individual's teeth and whitening needs.
- However, the use of 35% hydrogen peroxide in a custom tray-delivered treatment is not well-studied, and its safety and efficacy are not well-established 2.