When shopping for teeth whitening products, you’ll almost always see one of two ingredients: hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. While both whiten teeth, they behave very differently.
Understanding this difference helps you choose a whitening system that delivers better results with less sensitivity.
Hydrogen Peroxide: Fast but Short-Lived
Hydrogen peroxide works immediately. It starts breaking down stains the moment it touches your teeth—but it stops working quickly.
Active time: ~20–30 minutes
This makes it common in:
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In-office whitening
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Whitening strips
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Quick-use pens
To continue whitening, hydrogen peroxide must be reapplied repeatedly.
Carbamide Peroxide: Slower but Stronger Over Time
Carbamide peroxide breaks down slowly into hydrogen peroxide at a 3:1 ratio.
Example:
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44% carbamide peroxide ≈ 15% hydrogen peroxide
Instead of stopping after 30 minutes, carbamide peroxide continues whitening for 6 to 8 hours.
This makes it ideal for:
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Overnight whitening
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Tray-based systems
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Professional at-home treatments
Why Professionals Prefer Carbamide Peroxide
Longer activity time means:
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Deeper stain penetration
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More uniform whitening
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Less need for repeated sessions
This is why Cool Teeth Whitening uses professional-strength carbamide peroxide gels—the same type trusted by dental labs nationwide.
Which Is Better?
For quick cosmetic touch-ups, hydrogen peroxide can help.
For serious whitening results, carbamide peroxide is the clear winner.
Next Reads:
→ Whitening Strength vs Time
→ How to Whiten Safely at Home