Teeth Whitening Pens Do THEY EVEN WORK?

Teeth whitening pens offer minimal advantages, particularly when considering their limited effectiveness. However, it is essential to address the areas where their benefits are nearly nonexistent. Whitening pens are designed for applying hydrogen or carbamide peroxide onto the outer surfaces of the teeth through dabbing or brushing. This method presents two primary issues: 

This approach presents two primary concerns:

1. The presence of saliva on the teeth poses a challenge. Saliva contains a high concentration of the natural antioxidant enzyme called glutathione peroxidase. This enzyme swiftly breaks down the peroxide, converting it into water and oxygen. Neither water nor oxygen possess teeth whitening properties. Despite observing bubbling during use, users often misunderstand that the bubbles are simply oxygen, which does not contribute to teeth whitening.
2. Insufficient duration of application further diminishes the effectiveness. Teeth whitening products require a significant period of time with a properly coated layer of whitening gel on the tooth surfaces to achieve noticeable results. Even if one manages to keep their lips stretched out for an extended period, the presence of saliva and its antioxidant properties will hinder the efficacy of the whitening gel. Therefore, it raises the question of whether there are any notable benefits to using teeth whitening pens.

Although the benefit is relatively small, there is indeed a positive aspect to consider. When you consume foods and beverages that have the potential to stain your teeth, these substances possess a quality known as "substantivity." Essentially, it means that these staining agents adhere to the surfaces of your teeth. Once a stain adheres to a tooth, it begins to penetrate the tooth structure immediately. For instance, let's say you have red wine during dinner and do not brush your teeth until 4-5 hours later, allowing the stains from the red wine and other staining foods to settle. By the time you brush your teeth to remove these surface stains, a small portion of the stain will have already seeped into the microstructure of your teeth. Over time, with repeated exposure to staining substances on a daily basis for weeks, months, or years, your teeth can darken significantly.

To counteract this, it is advisable to use a teeth whitening pen that contains peroxide immediately after consuming staining substances. The peroxide in the pen reacts with the saliva's antioxidant properties, breaking it down into oxygen and water. This process leads to the creation of oxygen-rich bubbles that act as scrubbers, effectively cleansing the surface stains from your teeth instantly. Acting promptly can help mitigate the long-term effects of staining substances on your teeth.