How It Works

Teeth whitening, without the mystery.

The Science

Hydrogen peroxide is the only whitening agent consistently proven to actually work. Not charcoal. Not coconut oil. Not blue pigment that makes your teeth look whiter for 20 minutes. Hydrogen peroxide.

Here's what it does: when applied to your teeth, hydrogen peroxide penetrates enamel and reaches the dentin beneath it. Inside the tooth, it oxidizes the organic compounds responsible for staining, breaking their light-absorbing structures down into smaller, less pigmented molecules. The result is a tooth that reflects more light and looks whiter. The whitening happens inside the tooth, not on the surface. [3]

The research backs this up plainly. "Hydrogen and carbamide peroxides are secure options for bleaching vital teeth, maintaining the substrates (enamel and dentin) healthy." [1] And separately: "When used following manufacturer's instructions, hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide based tooth whitening is safe and effective." [2]

That's it. That's the whole mechanism.

Why 6%

Strength is a trade-off. Higher hydrogen peroxide concentrations work faster but increase the likelihood of sensitivity. Lower concentrations are gentler but take longer. 6% is the sweet spot, strong enough to deliver real results, gentle enough to wear for a full session.

Higher concentrations create a greater peroxide flux into dentin and toward the pulp, which is associated with a higher chance of temporary sensitivity. [6, 7] We chose 6% because it lets you control the experience. Wear it for 30 minutes or 60, depending on how your teeth respond.

Most OTC strips don't tell you their concentration. We do.

What to Expect

Results are cumulative. Whitening isn't instant, and anyone who tells you otherwise is selling something. Consistent use over time is what moves the needle.

Sensitivity is normal and temporary. Roughly half of at-home whiteners experience mild sensitivity [14], usually a short-lived reaction to hot or cold. It is not a sign of damage. "The vast majority of studies indicate that hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide containing products have no significant deleterious effects on enamel and dentine." [6] Take a break if needed, use Sensodyne or MI Paste, and resume when it settles.

Step by Step

Gotta purchase the strips for the best directions! 😉 

Versus the Competition

Professional whitening works the same way. Same chemistry, higher concentration, faster results, more sensitivity, significantly higher cost. "There were no significant differences in the whitening efficacy between whitening and conventional toothpastes. Neither of the dentifrices was as effective as at-home bleaching." [10] Whether the cost and discomfort of in-office treatment is worth it is a personal call. We don't think so.

Whitening toothpastes with blue covarine deposit a thin blue pigment on the surface that optically reduces yellow tones. It wears off. It is not bleaching. [10, 11, 12]

Charcoal products show "minimal and unsatisfactory whitening results" compared to carbamide peroxide products in clinical studies. [9] The aesthetic does the heavy lifting, not the ingredient.

Coconut oil (oil pulling) has no evidence of any whitening effect. A 2016 in vitro study found "no evidence to suggest that coconut, sesame, or sunflower oils have any effect on the whitening of teeth." [8]

Still have questions? Visit our FAQ page or contact us!

Sources

1. Féliz-Matos et al. (2015). The Open Dentistry Journal, 8, 264–268. https://doi.org/10.2174/1874210601408010264

2. Carey, C.M. (2014). Journal of Evidence-Based Dental Practice, 14(Suppl), 70–76. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jebdp.2014.02.006

3. Llena et al. (2018). Materials, 11(9), 1694. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma11091694

4. Joiner, A. (2007). Journal of Dentistry, 35(12), 889–896. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdent.2007.09.008

5. Zhao et al. (2023). Medicina, 59(6), 1130. https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina59061130

6. Wheater & Friedl (2016). Journal of Advanced Oral Research, 7(1), 20–23. https://doi.org/10.1177/2229411220160104

7. Ribeiro et al. (2024). Journal of Dentistry, 143, 104877. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdent.2024.104877

8. Meireles et al. (2021). Journal of Esthetic and Restorative Dentistry, 33(2), 341–350. https://doi.org/10.1111/jerd.12605

9. Dantas et al. (2015). Journal of Applied Oral Science, 23(6), 609–613. https://doi.org/10.1590/1678-775720150268

10. Schlafer et al. (2021). Journal of Dentistry, 105, 103559. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdent.2020.103559

11. Jorgensen & Carroll (2002). Journal of the American Dental Association, 133(8), 1076–1095. https://doi.org/10.14219/jada.archive.2002.0332

12.Haywood, V.B. (2005). Compendium of Continuing Education in Dentistry, 26(9 Suppl 3), 11–20. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17039676/