Tooth Whitening Glossary - List of Terms and Definitions

ADA:  American Dental Association

ADA Seal of Acceptance:  A voluntary program whereby companies submit their products for testing.  Seal is given only to products that meet very strict guidelines for effectiveness and safety.

Boil and Bite:  A term used to describe a method of forming a mouth tray utilizing boiling water to "soften" plastic.  The user biters down on the plastic for a period of time.  And as the plastic hardens, a dental mouth tray is formed.

Carbamide Peroxide:  Ingredient that is found in many teeth whitening products.  The 3% concentration of hydrogen peroxide equals about 10% carbamide peroxide.

Chromogenic Agents:  Substances that cause the teeth to stain or darken.  Includes things like tea, coffee, colas, chewing tobacco, cigarettes.

Dentifrice:  Just another name for whitening toothpaste.

Fluorisis:  A condition whereby the teeth are discolored and enamel is damaged.  This is usually acquired in childhood by ingesting too much fluoride.

Gingival:  Another name for 'gum', as in under the teeth.  Gingival irritation is a side effect of some tooth whitening treatments.

Glycerin:  Ingredient found in many tooth whitening products that's used to draw water out of  the teeth.  It tends to cause thermal sensitivity.

Hydrogen Peroxide:  Ingredient found in many tooth whitening products.  3% hydrogen peroxide concentration is approximately equal to 10% carbamide peroxide concentration in a product.

Thermal Sensitivity:  Increased sensitivity to hot or cold temperature.

Thermoform:  Another term that's used to describe the "boil and bite" method of creating a semi-custom mouth tray.

UREA:  A synthetic compound, also known as carbamide peroxide. that whitens the  teeth as it eventually breaks down into the bleaching agent hydrogen peroxide.