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Differences Between Carbamide Peroxide & Hydrogen Peroxide

People desire a whiter, brighter smile. There are several teeth-whitening products on the market today. However, there are one of two ingredients that can be used in the whitening process --- carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide. Carbamide and hydrogen peroxides are used for a variety of cures and processes, and are mostly known for their oral applications. Peroxide breaks down those darkened compounds surrounding the teeth's enamel layers by oxidation. Once they are broken down, the teeth receive a whitening effect.

  1. What Is Hydrogen Peroxide?

    • Hydrogen peroxide has an uncanny physical resemblance to water, which is composed of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom. Hydrogen peroxide, similarly, comprises two hydrogen atoms and two oxygen atoms --- making hydrogen peroxide an extremely powerful oxidizer. It is used as bleach in hair-care solutions, as well as a whitener in oral products. Hydrogen peroxide has a melting point of -0.4 degrees Celsius, a boiling point between 150 and 152 degrees Celsius and a density of 1.4425 grams per centimeter, cubed.

    What Is Carbamide Peroxide?

    • Carbamide peroxide is a solid, not a liquid like hydrogen peroxide. It is a crystal powder or a white crystal. It is a combination of a hydrogen peroxide molecule and a urea molecule, with the latter made up of one carbon atom, four hydrogen atoms, two nitrogen atoms and one oxygen atom. This molecule, combined with a hydrogen peroxide molecule into carbamide peroxide, is an oxide used as bleach in hair-care products, as well as a whitener in oral products, too. Carbamide peroxide has a melting point between 75 and 85 degrees Celsius and a density of 1.4 grams per centimeter, cubed.

    Whitening Effect

    • Hydrogen peroxide is the chemical that whitens teeth --- whether all on its own or within carbamide peroxide. However, test results read that there are no significant differences between the peroxides' tested whitening effects. The quantity of carbamide peroxide is always greater than hydrogen peroxide in contrast testing --- carbamide peroxide is the less potent of the two. A double-blind study reported in the July 2004 of the International Endodontic Journal was performed using 20 percent carbamide peroxide and 7.5 percent hydrogen peroxide. Overall, the result had an equal effect. However, you must take into account that there are significant differences in quantities.

    Safety Issues

    • You should not overlook carbamide peroxide and hydrogen peroxide safety concerns. Too much peroxide usage will cause major gum issues. Safety studies have shown gingival irritation, indicated by lesions on the marginal gingival. Hydrogen peroxide had a concentration of 3.5 percent and carbamide peroxide had a concentration of 10 percent in a study reported in the July-August 2006 issue of the Quintessence International Journal. Hydrogen peroxide caused less dental sensitivity. However, over time, the use of carbamide peroxide resulted in decreasing enamel micro-hardness. Carbamide peroxide changes pH levels less than hydrogen peroxide does, and it also lowers levels of radicular diffusion.

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