Teeth Whitening Whitening Ingredients & Chemistry

Question 1

What is the active bleaching agent in most professional teeth whitening gels?

Accepted Answer

Hydrogen peroxide

Answer

Sodium fluoride

Answer

Calcium carbonate

Answer

Baking soda

Question 2

Carbamide peroxide breaks down into which two compounds when applied to teeth?

Accepted Answer

Hydrogen peroxide and urea

Answer

Sodium peroxide and carbon dioxide

Answer

Calcium peroxide and ammonia

Answer

Zinc peroxide and water

Question 3

A 35% carbamide peroxide gel is approximately equivalent in whitening strength to what percentage of hydrogen peroxide?

Accepted Answer

10–12%

Answer

17–18%

Answer

20–22%

Answer

30–32%

Question 4

Which ingredient is commonly added to whitening gels to reduce tooth sensitivity during treatment?

Accepted Answer

Potassium nitrate

Answer

Titanium dioxide

Answer

Silica abrasive

Answer

Chlorhexidine

Question 5

Fluoride is often included in whitening trays or post-whitening treatments primarily to do what?

Accepted Answer

Remineralize enamel and reduce sensitivity

Answer

Accelerate bleaching action

Answer

Neutralize peroxide residue

Answer

Whiten additional surface stains

Question 6

Which whitening mechanism do abrasive whitening toothpastes primarily use compared to peroxide-based gels?

Accepted Answer

Physical removal of surface stains

Answer

Chemical oxidation of chromogens

Answer

Enzymatic breakdown of proteins

Answer

UV-light activation of pigments