Tooth whitening glossary

At-home whitening

Whitening you do at home, with a product your dentist gives you and following their instructions. It works gradually and suits continuing treatment and keeping the result. See At-home whitening and upkeep and In-clinic or at home.

Carbamide peroxide

A whitening agent that breaks down into hydrogen peroxide in the mouth, so it works in a similar way. Carbamide peroxide and hydrogen peroxide percentages aren’t one-to-one, so check the label for which of the two is listed. See How professional whitening works.

Dentin

The layer under the enamel, naturally more yellowish in color. Much of a tooth’s shade comes from it, which is why whitening that works inside the tooth changes how it looks more than a toothpaste that removes stain from the outside. See Whitening toothpaste, shelf kits or professional whitening.

Enamel

The hard outer layer of the tooth. It’s partly translucent, so the color of the dentin beneath shows through. Stain from food, drink and smoking collects on the enamel surface and in its tiny pores. See How professional whitening works.

Extrinsic stain

Stain that comes from outside the tooth, from coffee, tea, wine, smoking and some foods, and sits on the enamel and in its outer layer. It usually responds well to whitening. See Whitening for smokers and Coffee, tea and wine after whitening.

Gum barrier

A gel your dentist places along the gum line and between the teeth before in-clinic whitening, so the whitening agent stays on the tooth. In the OBIOWHITE line, that’s OBIOGINGIVAL.

Hydrogen peroxide

The active ingredient in most whitening gels. It moves into the tooth and breaks large color molecules into smaller ones that reflect less color. Per the labels, OBIOWHITE ULTRA contains 27% and OBIOWHITE STRIPS contain 6%.

In-clinic whitening

Whitening your dentist carries out in one session, with a stronger gel, gum protection and sometimes a dedicated light. A session usually takes about an hour, and your dentist will tell you how long to plan for. See In-clinic whitening and Your first whitening visit.

Intrinsic stain

Discoloration that comes from inside the tooth: from age, certain medications taken while the teeth were developing, too much fluoride in childhood, or an injury to the tooth. It may respond to whitening more slowly, or less. See How professional whitening works.

LED whitening light

A lamp aimed at the teeth during in-clinic whitening. According to the manufacturer, OBIOWHITE LAMP combines blue and red light and gives off no heat, UV or infrared. Your dentist sets the program and how long it runs.

Maintenance

What you do after whitening to make the shade last: daily habits, regular cleanings and, when needed, a touch-up with strips from your dentist. The shade fades gradually, and how fast depends mostly on habits. See Keeping your whitening result.

Nano-hydroxyapatite

The manufacturer describes nano-apatite particles in OBIOWHITE ULTRA that, in its words, move through tiny cracks in the tooth structure and give the gel a longer working time. This is the manufacturer’s description.

Potassium nitrate

An ingredient in the OBIOACTIVE prep gel that, according to the manufacturer, is there to reduce sensitivity. It’s one of the steps that make OBIOWHITE whitening free of pain and sensitivity. See Whitening without pain or sensitivity.

Prep gel

A gel your dentist applies before the whitening gel. In the OBIOWHITE line, that’s OBIOACTIVE, which according to the manufacturer combines citric acid at a neutral pH with potassium nitrate, and which the packaging describes as a stain-removing gel.

QuickMix syringe

The syringe that OBIOWHITE ULTRA whitening gel comes in. According to the manufacturer, it makes the gel easy for the dentist to apply.

Restorations

Crowns, bridges, veneers, tooth-colored fillings and bonding. They’re made of materials that don’t respond to whitening, so they keep the color they were made in. Sometimes they’re replaced after whitening to match the new shade. See Whitening after braces or clear aligners.

Shade

The color of a tooth as it looks, set by the enamel and the dentin beneath it. It’s checked before and after whitening, so you can see the change. See Your first whitening visit.

Shade guide

A set of tabs in different tooth shades. Your dentist holds them next to your teeth in good light and picks the closest match, before whitening and at the end. See Your smile in photos and on video.

Suitability check

The exam and conversation with your dentist before whitening: the health of your teeth and gums, restorations, where the staining comes from, and what’s realistic. It’s where you decide whether to whiten, and how. Leave your details to ask about suitability.

Whitening strips

Thin strips with whitening gel that you place on your teeth. Per the label, OBIOWHITE STRIPS contain 6% hydrogen peroxide, and the box says they’re for professional use only, which is why they come through your dentist.