•ADA:
American Dental Association•ADA Seal of
Acceptance: Voluntary program whereby
companies submit their products for testing. Seal
is given only to products that meet strict guidelines
for effectiveness and safety.
•Boil and Bite: Term used to describe
method of forming a mouth tray utilizing boiling water
to "soften" plastic. Then the user biters down on
the plastic for a period of time. As the plastic
hardens, a dental mouth tray is formed.
•Carbamide Peroxide: Ingredient found in
many teeth whitening products. 3% concentration of
hydrogen peroxide equals about 10% carbamide peroxide.
•Chromogenic Agents: Substances that
cause teeth to stain or darken. Includes things
like tea and coffee.
•Dentifrice: Another name for whitening
toothpaste.
•Fluorisis: A condition whereby teeth
are discolored and enamel is damaged. Usually
acquired in childhood by ingesting too much fluoride.
•Gingival: Another name for "gum", as in
below the teeth. Gingival irritation is a side
effect of some teeth whitening treatments.
•Glycerin: Ingredient found in many
teeth whitening products that is used to draw water out
of teeth. Tends to cause thermal sensitivity.
•Hydrogen Peroxide: Ingredient found in
many teeth whitening products. 3% hydrogen
peroxide concentration is roughly equal to 10% carbamide
peroxide concentration in a product.
•Thermal Sensitivity: Increased
sensitivity to temperature (i.e. hot and cold).
•Thermoform: Another term 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 teeth as it eventually breaks down into the
bleaching agent hydrogen peroxide.
