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what is the contents in
a bleaching agent?

Today's bleaching gel contains hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. Several bleaching gels contain among other things; thickening agent (e.g. Carbopol), that also makes the peroxide in the bleaching gel to slower up its degradation process. Glycerine for more viscosity, flour and potassium nitrate to minimize the risk of hypersensitivity.

We can divide bleaching agents in three categories:

It is hydrogen- or carbamide peroxide that is the bleaching substance. Small hydrogen-/carbamide peroxide molecules can penetrate the tooth through an oxidation process. The result is breaking down the big, strong coloured molecules to smaller ones and with those lighter molecules. The dentine in the tooth will also be lighter. The more carbamide peroxide the bleaching agent contains, the better result. 10 % carbamide peroxide is better than 35 % hydrogen peroxide.

It's easier to bleach teeth that have yellow or brown colour than teeth that have grey - blue tones.

The result of a bleaching depends on the tooth's basic colour, type and age of discolouration, bleaching agent's concentration and how long the treatment period is.