Products like whitening strips use teeth whitening gel applied to a plastic strip which is then stuck to the teeth. These strips tend to be less effective since they contain very little of the product and are often uncomfortable to wear. If you’re looking for quick results, these are not recommended since the whitening they promise is often minimal and slow to show.
However teeth whitening gel can be directly applied and therefore quantity that is being used can be controlled, often yielding better results than whitening strips. However, their chemical composition is also something to take into consideration. Hydrogen peroxide is stronger, but less available for home use, particularly in higher strengths. Carbamide peroxide, on the other hand, is more widely used in home whitening products, and has a strength equivalency upon breakdown with the more widely available home strengths of hydrogen peroxide.
Whitening gels are most effective when applied and then covered with a mouth piece. These can be either specifically fitted or a generic whitening kit tray. If the gel is not covered, then it can be diluted and rinsed away by saliva and lose its strength before effectively whitening teeth. Using gels in combination with a mouthpiece prevents this strength reduction from happening and results in whiter teeth.
While almost any teeth whitening gel will be effective over the long run, you’ll usually get the best results for teeth whitening with products that use a higher concentration of the active ingredient and the lesser amount or strength of gel will take many more applications before yielding results. The disadvantage would be that it may cause gum irritations or tooth sensitivity.
credit: stuartpilbrow
