Teeth whitening
- Dr Gurmandeep Sond, former Clinical Development Manager at Bupa Dental Care
- Dr Emma Ajimoko, Head of Clinical Policy and Standards at Bupa Dental Care
Teeth whitening, sometimes called teeth bleaching, is a treatment that uses chemicals to brighten your smile. It’s safer to have it done by a dental professional, because some online and over-the-counter kits can damage your teeth. Your dentist can whiten your teeth at your local practice, or give you a kit to take home.
About teeth whitening
Teeth whitening works by using a gel that contains bleaching agents like hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. These agents break down and release oxygen molecules that penetrate the hard outer layer of your teeth (enamel). Once inside, they react with other teeth-staining molecules to lighten them. Although teeth whitening doesn’t change your natural tooth colour completely, it can brighten your smile by several shades.
Teeth whitening is a cosmetic procedure, which means it improves your appearance but isn't medically necessary, so it’s not covered by the NHS. How much teeth whitening costs can depend on things like where you live, which practice you go to, and whether you opt to have treatment at your dental practice or at home. Your dentist can explain the full cost, and you might be able to spread your payments out.
Uses of teeth whitening
There are lots of reasons your teeth might start to look stained, darker or yellow. You might decide to have professional teeth whitening if your teeth have become discoloured due to:
- smoking
- drinking tea, coffee or red wine
- getting older
- genetics
- taking certain medications
- root canal treatment
How much does teeth whitening cost?
The cost of professional teeth whitening will vary depending on whether you choose at-home or in-practice whitening. However, prices for at-home whitening typically range between £350 and £600, and in-practice whitening costs range from £600 to £900*.
As every patient’s needs, requirements and expected results are different, an in-person consultation is required to determine the exact cost of teeth whitening treatment. Contact your nearest practice today to book a whitening appointment and receive a transparent breakdown of costs.
Teeth whitening is a cosmetic procedure, which means it improves your appearance but isn't medically necessary, so it’s not covered by the NHS. How much teeth whitening costs can depend on things like where you live, which practice you go to, and whether you opt to have treatment at your dental practice or at home. Your dentist can explain the full cost, and you might be able to spread your payments out.
Spread the cost of your treatment
Patient finance is available for treatments that cost between £250 and £50,000 at 0% APR** when you choose a repayment term of between 3 months and 36 months (subject to the amount of credit), this means that you can spread your treatment cost over a term that suits you, and you don’t pay back any more than you would pay otherwise.
Once you have agreed your treatment plan with your dentist, you’ll have the option to apply.
Terms and conditions apply. Learn more about patient finance.
Types of teeth whitening
There are two ways your dentist can help you whiten your teeth.
Teeth whitening at home
This is when your dentist gives you a whitening kit to use at home.
It contains custom-made trays that look like a retainer, and a whitening gel that you place on the inside. Your dentist will explain how to use your kit, and it can take a few weeks to see the effects.
Teeth whitening at your dental practice
This is when your dentist uses a strong bleaching agent and a special light to whiten your teeth in the dental surgery. They might give you top-up trays to use at home and maintain your results too. These are specially made moulds that fit over your teeth, into which you place whitening gel.
It can often be done in a single appointment, so it’s faster than whitening your teeth at home, but may also cost more.
Things to consider
Lots of people can have their teeth whitened, but it isn’t suitable for everyone. Your dentist can let you know whether or not you’re eligible for professional teeth whitening during your initial consultation. But you might find it helpful to know that teeth whitening:
- only works on natural teeth, and won’t whiten dentures, filings, bridges, crowns, veneers or composite bonding.
- can only be done on healthy teeth and gums, free from gum disease or decay.
- isn’t suitable if you’re under 18, pregnant or breastfeeding.
- can lighten your teeth several shades from your existing colour, but if you want extremely white teeth, veneers or crowns might be the only way to achieve this.
Preparing for teeth whitening
Before having professional teeth whitening, book a consultation at your local dental practice. Your dentist will do a thorough examination to make sure your teeth and gums are healthy enough for whitening treatment. They’ll also go through your treatment options, the shade you want and any costs with you.
If you decide to go ahead with treatment, your dentist will take impressions of your teeth to create your custom-made trays.
The procedure
When your trays are ready, your dentist will invite you back for another appointment.
Teeth whitening in practice
If your dentist is carrying out your teeth whitening at the practice, they’ll start by placing a shield over your gums to protect them. Then they’ll apply the whitening gel to your teeth for 15 minutes at a time, and do this four times. They may also use a special light to activate it. Your appointment could take anything up to 2.5 hours, in which time your teeth can go up to six shades lighter. Your dentist may also give you a top-up kit to take home, which you’ll need to use for about a week.
Teeth whitening at home
If you’ve opted to whiten your teeth at home, you’ll need to return to the practice to collect your teeth whitening kit. Your dentist will make sure your trays fit comfortably, show you how to use them and let you know how long to wear them for. It can take up to 6 weeks to achieve the shade of white you’re looking for.
Aftercare for teeth whitening
Your teeth might feel more sensitive after tooth whitening treatment. This should settle down after a couple of days, but if it doesn’t, let your dentist know. They can let you know which toothpastes and other products can help.
Professional teeth whitening can last for a few years, especially if you take good care of your teeth. You can also top-up your whiter smile at home using the kit your dentist gave you. It may also help your results if you:
- Cut back on teeth-staining foods like coffee and red wine.
- Brush your teeth twice a day to help prevent stains building up.
- Visit your dental hygienist regularly for a thorough clean.
- Stop smoking if you need to.
Alternatives to teeth whitening
Although there are lots of teeth whitening products available online and over-the-counter, these don’t usually work as well as professional teeth whitening and aren’t as safe. In the UK, shop-bought whitening kits are legally only allowed to contain 0.1% hydrogen peroxide. But these low levels don’t achieve the same results as professional whitening. Whitening treatments carried out by a dentist can contain up to 6% of hydrogen peroxide. Some over-the-counter kits can also wear down the outer layer of your tooth, causing permanent damage.
Only dentists or dental professionals can legally carry out teeth whitening — and hygienists, therapists, and technicians must do so under a dentist’s prescription The General Dental Council contains a register of qualified dental professionals.
If professional teeth whitening isn’t right for you, your dentist will talk to you about other ways to improve the appearance of your teeth. These could include:
- Veneers. These are thin pieces of porcelain that attach to the front of your teeth.
- Dental crowns. These are tooth-shaped caps that fit over the top of a tooth and cover it completely.
Teeth whitening in practice
Safe, fast and effective, in-practice teeth whitening treatment visibly enhances your smile with a single practice visit.
Teeth whitening at home
Brighten your smile comfortably and at your own pace, with effective teeth whitening treatments to apply at home.
Teeth whitening kits
Find out more about at-home teeth whitening kits, how they work, how to use them effectively and what to expect.
Cosmetic dentistry
Looking to boost your confidence, fill gaps and cracks, or have a full smile makeover? Find out more about cosmetic dentistry here.
Composite bonding
If you’d like to fill gaps, chips or cracks between teeth, composite bonding might be for you. Find out more.
Orthodontics at Bupa
Thinking about straightening your smile? Explore a range of options at Bupa Dental Care and Total Orthodontics practices nationwide, from traditional fixed braces to discreet, removable aligners.
Other helpful websites
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- I would like to whiten my teeth? British Dental Bleaching Society. bdbs.co.uk, accessed October 2024
- Tooth whitening. Oral Health Foundation. dentalhealth.org, accessed October 2024
- Teeth whitening. NHS. nhs.uk, last reviewed January 2022
- Whitening. American Dental Association. ada.org, last updated August 2022
- Teeth whitening. Patient. patient.co.uk, last updated Feb 2015
- Five tips for looking after your teeth when you’re pregnant. National Childbirth Trust. nct.org.uk, last reviewed July 2018
- Tooth whitening and the law. Oral Health Foundation. dentalhealth.org, accessed October 2024
- Tooth whitening and illegal practice. General Dental Council. gdc-uk,org, accessed October 2024
- Cosmetic treatment. Oral Health Foundation. dentalhealth.org, accessed October 2024
- Michelle Harrison, Freelance Health Editor
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Bupa Dental Care is a trading name of Oasis Dental Care Limited. Registered in England and Wales No: 00478127. Registered office: Bupa Dental Care, Vantage Office Park, Old Gloucester Road, Hambrook, Bristol, United Kingdom BS16 1GW.
Oasis Dental Care Limited has a number of trading names including Bupa Dental Care. Please see the list of our different trading names.
*A consultation will be required to confirm suitability and determine an exact price before treatment. Prices quoted apply to standard whitening treatments only; complex cases or additional procedures may incur extra costs.
The stated price ranges exclude any optional add-ons or follow-up treatments. Results may vary depending on individual oral health and lifestyle factors.
Prices may differ by location and individual practice policies. Whitening treatments are subject to clinical assessment and may not be suitable for all patients.
**Finance applicant must be aged 18 or over, a UK resident, have a UK bank account and be in permanent employment. All loans are subject to eligibility, status, affordability and a credit check. T&Cs apply. Finance is available on private dental treatments only.
The minimum spend for finance is £250 and the maximum is £50,000. 0% APR representative is available on repayment terms of up to 36 months subject to the amount of credit. Finance taken at repayment terms of 48 or 60 months is subject to 7.9% APR representative.
Bupa Dental Care is a trading name of Oasis Dental Care Limited, Vantage Office Park, Bristol, BS16 1GW, whose company registered number is 00478127. Oasis Dental Care Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority FCA registration number 710559. Oasis Dental Care Limited is a credit broker and not a lender.
Finance is provided by Novuna Personal Finance, a trading style of Mitsubishi HC Capital UK PLC, authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Financial Services Register no. 704348. Registered Office: Novuna House, Thorpe Road, Staines-upon-Thames, Surrey, TW18 3HP. Registered in Cardiff under company no. 1630491. The register can be accessed through www.fca.org.uk.
