You can purchase a teeth whitening gel containing a 35% concentration of carbamide peroxide without a prescription. The cost of the gels ranges from $35 to $100. But, how much lightening can you expect to see?
Carbamide peroxide is not as effective as hydrogen peroxide, which is the active bleaching agent found in professional whitening gel. A 35% concentration of carbamide peroxide would be about as effective as an 11% concentration of hydrogen peroxide.
The hydrogen peroxide concentrations used in dental offices are as high as 40%. So, obviously, the carbamide peroxide would not be as effective as what your dentist could offer for an in-office treatment.
When compared to the effectiveness of home teeth whitening kits provided by a dental office, the effectiveness might be about the same. The take-home kits have a lower concentration of hydrogen peroxide, but they are typically left on for a longer period of time. In office treatments can work in as little as 15 minutes. The trays in the take home kits may need to be left in overnight, which brings up another point.
In order to use a teeth whitening gel, you will need a tray. The best that are available on the internet require heating to conform to your teeth. They are reusable, but many people find that they are uncomfortable and difficult to fit. The idea is to have something similar to the custom mouthpiece that a dentist would provide, but it doesn’t always work out that way. Four trays, two upper and two lower, cost around $15.
Custom-made mouthpieces take a while to make. The “warm and form” varieties can often be shipped in as little as two business days. So, if you’re in a hurry, there’s no reason not to give them a try. There is, however, one other option.
Disposable, press to fit mouthpieces, that include the teeth whitening gel are available from some companies. They can be purchased online or in the drugstore. Most people are pleased with the results and find that they are easy to use. The cost for two ready-to-use pre-filled trays is less than $20. Some brands contain the the hydrogen peroxide teeth whitening gel that your dentist would use, but in a lower concentration.
Just as a bit of information, the toothpastes that you see on the market are cleansers, not bleaches. Some of them contain a very small amount of hydrogen peroxide, but not really enough to have a bleaching effect. Actual teeth whitening gel is left on for a minimum of 45 minutes. Simply brushing with it would not do the trick.
