Which component in bleaching agents can penetrate enamel in minutes?

Which component in bleaching agents can penetrate enamel in minutes?

• A. Water
• B. Dyes
• C. Buffers
• D. Peroxides

Answer: (D)

Peroxides. The active bleaching agents, such as hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide, diffuse through enamel (and dentin) quickly. Once inside, they break down to reactive oxygen species that oxidize and break apart the color-causing molecules in the tooth, producing whitening within minutes. Water is only a solvent, dyes are colorants, and buffers adjust pH—they don’t cause the oxidative bleaching effect. Carbamide peroxide decomposes to hydrogen peroxide, so the hydrogen peroxide portion is the actual agent driving rapid penetration and bleaching.

Peroxides. The active bleaching agents, such as hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide, diffuse through enamel (and dentin) quickly. Once inside, they break down to reactive oxygen species that oxidize and break apart the color-causing molecules in the tooth, producing whitening within minutes. Water is only a solvent, dyes are colorants, and buffers adjust pH—they don’t cause the oxidative bleaching effect. Carbamide peroxide decomposes to hydrogen peroxide, so the hydrogen peroxide portion is the actual agent driving rapid penetration and bleaching.