The basic formula for whitening helps to answer this popular question:
Whitening results = Strength of gel x Time gel is in contact with your teeth
What this means is that if you use a higher strength of gel, you will get maximum whitening results in less time, and likewise if you use a lower strength of gel it will take you longer to get the same results.
However, the story is not that simple!
The problems with high strength gels
Although most people think that the higher the strength gel, the better the results – this isn’t always the case. Higher strength gels (22% and 35%) have a much greater chance of causing temporary sensitivity and can be painful if they get on your gums. In our experience we find that when customers use too high a gel strength, they may get sensitivity or gum irritation and then stop using it – or use it every other day for example; this leads to less time that the gel is in contact with the teeth and so whitening results aren’t any faster than using a lower strength gel!
High strength gels are also typically only worn for short periods of time, so after 2 weeks of whitening you will most likely get the same amount of whitening if you use 35% for 15 minutes once a day as you would with a 10% gel but worn overnight for 14 nights.
Do you often get sensitive teeth?
If you suffer from sensitive teeth then we would only advise 10% or maximum 16% for whitening your teeth. It may take a greater amount of time spent wearing whitening trays, yet whitening will be comfortable and you won’t have to stop treatment because of sensitivity.
Our recommendations:
We recommend 16% carbamide peroxide most frequently to our customers because it doesn’t need to be worn overnight, has minimal risk of sensitivity and gum irritation, and actually works very quickly to give maximum whitening results in a relatively short period of time. If you want mimimum time spent wearing trays, 22% or 35% – or Crest Whitestrips – could be best for you.
