Question:
I was thinking about carefully using a peroxycarbonate
(Oxyclean)solution to whiten a few teeth. If I don't contact any
tissue and remove the stuff quickly, is this a problem. Also, I hear
that they now use a UV light source to activate the peroxides for fast
bleaching. I could do this on my own and save alot of money. Comments
from Dentists are appreciated.
Answer:
sounds very unsafe to me and i'm not sure that solution would work the same.
most in office products (nite white, day white, smilelite) use a carbamide
peroxide solution of around 12 - 18%. the reason these products work better
than the over the counter ones is more due to the custom tray that holds the
solution, than the chemical that is actually used, or the concentration.
these are also in gel forms that remain on the teeth, while in the trays.
and the uv lights aren't used by themselves, they are used in conjunction
with a bleaching material, like the ones used without the uv light. and the
lights aren't exactly your every day ceiling light either, nor like laying
in a tanning bed. they are in your mouth and much more powerful and
concentrated on the teeth. this isn't something you can do at home safely.
How will you know what type of UV light to purchase?
I just talked to my Dentist and she does not use a UV light. It is
actually a halogen source similar to the one they use to cure your
fillings, but a different wavelength. I guess it will be hard to find
this device other than from a dentist supplier. The peroxycarbonate is
probably not a good idea either. I will stick to a concentrated H2O2.
I'm a chemist and have access to 40%.
Please note--halogen light sources are very high intensity. Use without proper eye protection can cause retinal damage.
How about the difference between "Bite down gently" and "Please...gently...bite
down."
I did not want anyone who was not trolling, and did not have a background in
health to make the mistake of putting 40% peroxide on naked gingiva. Ooooh,
the pain of being burned from one end of the mouth to the other! I don't
want to picture it.
