In-house dental whitening

It is possible to whiten your teeth at home. However, you need to choose a product that actually works, complies with European regulations, and contains the concentration of active ingredients it claims to have. In a market saturated with unverifiable promises, these three criteria eliminate the majority of products available online.

What Regulations Allow for Home Use

Regulation (EC) No. 1223/2009 sets the limit at 0.1% hydrogen peroxide for over-the-counter products in Europe. Above this level, only a dentist may prescribe or supervise use. This limit applies to gels, kits, whitening pens, and strips. Gels containing 6% hydrogen peroxide are the maximum concentration permitted for healthcare professionals.

Gels containing 16%, 35%, or 44% hydrogen peroxide found on certain marketplaces are illegal for sale in France and Europe. Not only do they violate European legal standards, but they are dangerous to oral health and should be strictly avoided by the general public.

The products WHITECARE sells in this category are fully compliant with these standards. The concentrations listed are the actual concentrations, verified by an independent cosmetic laboratory for each batch.

PAP+ or hydrogen peroxide: two active ingredients, two profiles

Two product families coexist in our consumer catalog.

The 0.1% HP gel uses hydrogen peroxide, the gold standard active ingredient for teeth whitening. It works by oxidizing the colored molecules embedded in the enamel structure. Effective on extrinsic stains (coffee, tea, red wine, tobacco), it may cause temporary sensitivity in certain predisposed individuals. It is manufactured in the United States by a laboratory that has been a partner of WHITECARE for 15 years.

The PAP+ gel (phthalimidoperoxycaproic acid, micro-hydroxyapatite, potassium citrate) is the next-generation active ingredient. It directly oxidizes chromogens on the enamel surface without penetrating the dentin, thereby eliminating the primary source of post-treatment sensitivity. Manufactured in France, its stability is verified through laboratory analysis before each batch. It is recommended for people with sensitive teeth or a history of pain with peroxide-based products.

In both cases, these active ingredients target extrinsic stains. Intrinsic stains, caused by age, medications, or genetic factors, do not respond to over-the-counter cosmetic products and require a dental consultation.

How to choose the right product for your needs?

Whether you choose the 0.1% HP gel or the PAP+ gel, you should select a complete kit that allows you to complete a full treatment course of 10 to 20 sessions. This kit includes the teeth-whitening gel as well as an LED tray and all the accessories needed for comfort and ease of use.

The 0.1% HP gel is recommended for individuals without pre-existing sensitivity who have had tooth discoloration for a few months. A treatment course can be repeated 3 to 4 times a year.

The PAP+ gel is formulated without peroxide and contains micro-hydroxyapatite for people with teeth sensitive to heat or cold, those who have previously experienced sensitivity during peroxide whitening, those trying whitening for the first time without knowing their tolerance level, and those wishing to undergo regular maintenance treatments (every 6 to 8 weeks).

For maintenance, you can also opt for whitening pens or charcoal powder for occasional use.

To make an informed choice, consult our detailed guide: how to choose your teeth whitening kit.

What WHITECARE guarantees for every product

• Compliance with Regulation (EC) No. 1223/2009 and registration with the CPNP.
• Actual active ingredient concentration verified by an independent cosmetic laboratory for each batch.
• Batch number and expiration date on each syringe or package.
• And for our PAP+ gel, we’ve introduced a Support Guarantee: our team is available Monday through Friday to answer your questions before and during your treatment.