Sodium perborate monohydrate is an odorless, water-soluble, white crystalline powder. A stable source of active oxygen, it comes in granular powder or tablet form. It is used as an oxidizing and bleaching agent in cosmetics, dental bleaching agents, pharmaceutical preparations, cleaning products and detergents.
Teeth Whitening
Dentists use sodium perborate monohydrate to bleach discolored teeth. A sodium perborate monohydrate paste is mixed with hydrogen peroxide or water and inserted into the crown of a non-vital tooth. Dental professionals whiten root-filled teeth by a method called the walking bleach technique. A mixture of sodium perborate and distilled water or hydrogen peroxide is used, according to the Journal of Endodontics Research. It takes from one to four bleaching procedures in the dentist's office to achieve the best results. This bleaching method is non-invasive and an alternative to veneering.
Detergents
Sodium perborate monohydrate is an important bleaching agent in detergents. It improves the cleaning, bleaching and stain removal power of detergents. Sodium perborate is also a good deodorizer. Sodium perborate is gentler on dyes and fabrics because it is a less aggressive bleach than standard sodium hypochlorite bleaches. It dissolves in the environment as a natural borate and has a low toxicity, according to the National Institutes of Health.
Cleaning Products
Sodium perborate monohydrate is used in various cleaning products. It is an antiseptic and disinfectant found in industrial cleaning products, fabric sprays, stain cleaners and other household cleaners. The monohydrate form of sodium perborate has higher active oxygen content than the tetrahydrate form. This allows for a more concentrated form of cleaning products, according to the Swedish Chemicals Agency.
Cosmetics
Sodium perborate monohydrate frequently shows up in cosmetics and personal care products. It's found in hand creams, body creams, hair dyes or colors and hair bleaches. It restores hair or skin to its normal oxidized state after a reducing agent is used. Reducing agents are used in hair dyes and bleaches, according to the Cosmeticsinfo.org. Other cosmetic products that use sodium perborate monohydrate include talc and oral hygiene products such as mouthwashes.
References
- Shangyu Jiehua Chemical Company: Sodium Perborate Monohydrate
- European Chemical Industry Council: Ecoprofile of Perborates
- Journal of Endodontics Research: In Vitro Comparison of Different Types of Sodium Perborate Used for Intracoronal bleaching of Discoloured Teeth
- Journal of Endodontics Research: Review of the Current Status of Tooth Whitening with the Walking Bleach Technique
- Hongye Chemical Co: Sodium Perborate
- ChemicalLand 21: Sodium Perborate
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