Natural Dental Bleaching Agents

Nowadays, bleaching is one of the most common procedures in aesthetic dentistry. When comparing bleaching to other treatment options for vital teeth whitening such as crowns or ceramic laminates, it proved to be more conservative. Bleaching is not only a well-established technique but also provides effectiveness and patient satisfaction. Carbamide peroxide and hydrogen peroxide are the active components used for bleaching. Although bleaching is a well-tolerated method, some patients still report sensitivity during and after bleaching. Hydrogen peroxide is considered the main agent responsible for this hypersensitivity. The bleaching effect is the result of the oxidation reaction of the tooth pigments by means of the hydrogen peroxide molecules. Serious damage to the pulp tissue can be the result of the reaction’s by-products reaching the pulp. The deleterious effect of the bleaching agents is not only on the pulp but also on the gingival tissues and bone, where bone inflammation and resorption have been reported. Therefore, efforts have been made to obtain effective tooth bleaching with less or no harmful effects on enamel, pulp, and oral mucosa and with no contraindications. Natural alternatives to peroxide bleaching have been mentioned in the literature. These alternatives can produce an oxidative reaction and stain removal effects, without deleterious outcomes. Natural products give us some certainty about non-cytotoxic biological behavior, resulting in little or no harmful effects. Also, the organic acids present in raw fruits have demonstrated the ability to maintain or improve the color of the teeth. Therefore, the development of new tooth-bleaching agents based on natural products with comparable aesthetic results and minor side effects would be beneficial.