Whitening is the single most requested cosmetic treatment we do, and the one where the gap between professional and supermarket products is widest.
Chemist strips and charcoal pastes either do very little or work by abrading the surface of the tooth, which is not something you can undo. Professional whitening lifts the colour from inside the tooth using a supervised gel, at a concentration that is only legally available through a dentist.
Your options
- In chair whitening, with a visible result the same day
- Custom take home trays moulded to your own teeth
- A combined approach, starting in the chair then maintaining at home
- A shade record so you can see exactly how far you have moved
- Desensitising treatment before and after for sensitive teeth
- Internal whitening for a single tooth that has darkened after trauma
Before you whiten
- 1Get clean first
Whitening gel works on the tooth, not on the film over it. A clean beforehand makes the result noticeably more even.
- 2Check the fillings
Whitening does not change the colour of fillings, crowns or veneers. If you have visible work at the front we plan the order carefully.
- 3Treat any decay
Gel entering an untreated cavity is genuinely painful. We always examine first.
- 4Manage sensitivity
Most sensitivity is short lived and preventable. We treat for it in advance rather than waiting to see.
Teeth Whitening questions
Does whitening damage your teeth?
Professionally supervised whitening at the correct concentration does not damage enamel. The risks come from unsupervised high strength gel, from abrasive products, and from whitening over untreated decay.
How long does it last?
Typically one to three years, depending mostly on how much tea, coffee and red wine you drink and whether you smoke. Take home trays let you top up for a night or two when it starts to drift.
Will it make my teeth sensitive?
Some people get short lived sensitivity for a day or two. We use desensitising agents before and after, and can slow the process down for anyone who has had trouble in the past.
Can everyone whiten?
Most people can. Whitening works less well on grey toned discolouration, on teeth stained by tetracycline, and on fillings and crowns. We will tell you honestly if we think you would be disappointed.
