Over the years, advancements in teeth whitening have allowed dental professionals to provide their patients with whitening products that not only make their smiles whiter, but stronger and healthier too.

Ingredients like potassium nitrate and fluoride (PF) have been added to some whitening products, like Opalescence, to provide a more comfortable whitening experience while helping to improve oral health.

Potassium nitrate helps relieve sensitivity fast and usually has an effect that lasts 24 hours. It works by travelling through the enamel and dentin to the pulp chamber of the tooth to calm the nerves. Potassium nitrate can be found in most Opalescence products as well as other products—like desensitizing gels and some toothpastes—in order to help treat day-to-day sensitivity.

Although fluoride works more slowly than potassium nitrate, it can provide lasting relief from sensitivity by increasing the hardness of the enamel. ¹ Combined with potassium nitrate, fluoride can improve your whitening experience. And since the whitening process involves oxygen molecules penetrating the enamel and dentin, fluoride does not interfere with or prevent whitening results.

Due to quality improvements and cutting-edge innovations in whitening from companies like Ultradent, the creators of PF technology, you can have a comfortable whitening experience, while still getting the bright, white smile you've always wanted.