What is the Recommended Carbamide Peroxide Level for a Whitening Gel?

You have asked a very sound question.  Sixteen percent carbide peroxide is a very basic level of bleach to whiten your teeth.  This is equivalent to approximately 5-6 percent hydrogen peroxide.  If you have sensitive teeth this would probably be a good place to start.  If you get your whitening from a dental office you can also be given some fluoride to use in conjunction with the bleaching to help keep your sensitivity under control.  

The best at home products are made with hydrogen peroxide that break down into oxygen and water. carbamide peroxide breaks down into urea. They also contain ingredients that can pull calcium out of the teeth. 15% carbamide is the same strength as 5% hydrogen peroxide. IntelliWHiTE Ultra is 9% Hydrogen peroxide. Results are quick.

 

15-16% is very low. If your teeth are sensitive a complete examination would be in order to determine the cause of the sensitivity. A complete exam by your dentist should help determine if the sensitivity can be treated. There are different gels and pastes available to aid in desensitizing the tooth. Zoom whitening has a special toothpaste that is used before whitening is completed. Contact your local ZOOM provider before your proceed with treatment.

After having done whitening for more than twenty years, here's what works best:


If you have sensitive teeth, De-sensitize first for two weeks. THEN start your whitening. We use a lot of prescription strength Fluoride gel in my office to accomplish this.

Find a time of day (or it's even OK to leave your trays in while you sleep) that you can do your whitening every day. 

EVERYBODY gets sensitive at some point, Skip a couple of days, but then get right back to it.

Sensitive patients should start at 10%. You may be able to work up to 16% later. If you start with too high of a percentage, you will be VERY sensitive and you will wind up stopping and not really accomplishing any real whitening.

Very good question. The answer depends on how fast you want to whiten and how sensitive your teeth are. 15-16% is fairly low and considered non prescription. You can get this same percentage from a number of reputable manufacturers. Some people are mixing up whiteners in their bathtubs and selling them online to unsuspecting consumers. Be careful to purchase whitening gel from reputable sources. Especially when online.