Teeth whitening

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

Types of teeth whitening

There are two ways your dentist can help you whiten your teeth.

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 pace 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.

Teeth whitening at home

This is when you 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.

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.