Teeth whitening

Specialty of Dentistry

What is teeth whitening?

Teeth whitening refers to the process of bleaching teeth in order to make them lighter. This does not necessarily mean that results will be brilliant white in colour, but rather that teeth will be lightened considerably, by several shades.

While there are home treatments for teeth whitening, and certain salons may offer the procedure, there are risks involved and the procedure should be performed by a dental professional. It can make a particular difference to those with yellow tones in their teeth, but not everyone is suited to teeth whitening (e.g. those with gum disease), and it doesn’t work on dentures, veneers, crowns, or fillings.

Who performs the teeth whitening procedure?

Teeth whitening is usually considered a cosmetic treatment and is done privately in most cases. Treatments and prices can vary. It is usually advisable to discuss a treatment plan and price estimate with the professional before committing to the procedure. Whitening is safe when carried out by a registered dental professional. In the UK only dentists or dental professionals (e.g. hygienists) can carry out teeth whitening. It is very rarely performed on the NHS, and only in cases where it is a medical treatment only, such as nerve death.

Can teeth whitening be done at home?

Whitening can also be done using home kits, but the percentage of hydrogen peroxide, the chemical used to whiten the teeth, does not come in such high doses in over-the-counter kits. Legally these kits cannot contain the same amount of hydrogen peroxide as treatments offered by dental professionals. Often home kits do not contain enough for the treatment to be effective.

How long do teeth whitening effects last?

The effects of teeth whitening are not permanent and can last from a number of months to around three years. Smoking, drinking coffee, tea, or red wine can reduce the whitening effect or cause your teeth to stain again.

Videos related to Teeth whitening

Smile design: teeth straightening, teeth whitening...

Are whitening toothpastes bad for you and are they...

Articles related to Teeth whitening

Smile design: teeth straightening and teeth whitening

By Dr David Bloom
2019-01-17

Dr David Bloom, an experienced dentist, explains what smile design is and the options for teeth straightening and teeth whitening that are available. See more

Tooth whitening - what actually works?

By Dr David Bloom
2019-01-10

Professional tooth whitening is often touted as the only treatment with long-lasting effects – but what is it, what does it involve, and who can carry it out? We asked top restorative and cosmetic dentist Dr David Bloom, who practises at a number of clinics in central London. See more

Experts in Teeth whitening

Book online Call the doctor
Dr Adam Thorne
Dentistry

Expert in:
- Aesthetic dentistry
- Smile design
- Veneers
- Invisalign
- Teeth whitening
- Dental crown
Book online Call the doctor
Dr Biju Krishnan
Dentistry

Expert in:
- Orthodontics
- Smile design
- Teeth whitening
- Veneers
- Invisalign
- Aesthetic dentistry