Professional whitening acts on natural tooth structure. Crowns, veneers, bonding and fillings do not change color with it, which is why the whitening conversation belongs before any cosmetic work rather than after: see professional teeth whitening options. Whitening lifts stains within the enamel using peroxide, and it works best on yellow and brown tones from age, coffee and tea, while grey stains, existing crowns and fillings do not change colour, so an exam beforehand shows what to expect and whether any restorations will need matching afterward.
What people want to change with professional teeth whitening
Cosmetic dentistry begins with your goal, not a treatment name. Say what result you want and you'll generally get better guidance than by naming a procedure.
- General yellowing or darkening
- Staining from food, beverages, or tobacco
- Preparing for cosmetic bonding or veneers
- Uneven color near existing dental work
What whitening can and cannot change
Whitening works on natural tooth structure. Knowing what will not respond prevents disappointment.
- General yellowing with age, usually responds well
- Staining from coffee, tea, red wine or tobacco, usually responds
- Single dark teeth after trauma, may need a different approach
- Grey discolouration from some medications, often responds poorly
- Crowns, veneers, bonding and fillings, do not change at all
- White patches, may become more or less noticeable
Approaches worth comparing
- Professional take-home trays
- In-office whitening when offered
- Whitening before replacing visible restorations
- Bonding or veneers for color that whitening cannot change
How supervised whitening works
The supervised part matters: an examination first rules out causes that whitening would simply mask.
- Examination to check for decay, gum disease and the cause of the staining
- A professional clean, since surface stain removal alone changes the shade
- Custom trays made from impressions or a scan
- Gel applied at home for a set period each day, or in the practice
- Review of the shade and management of any sensitivity
- Top-up guidance for maintaining the result
What a cosmetic consultation involves
Health comes before appearance: decay, gum condition and the bite are assessed first, because cosmetic work placed over an untreated problem does not last. Photographs, shade matching and sometimes a mock-up follow.
Ask what is reversible and what is not. Any treatment that removes enamel commits that tooth to a restoration permanently, which is the single most important thing to understand before agreeing.
Common questions
Professional Teeth Whitening: questions people ask
Will whitening damage my enamel?
Professionally supervised whitening at appropriate concentrations is well established. The risks people encounter are usually from unsupervised products, poor-fitting trays, or whitening over untreated decay or gum disease.
Why are my fillings a different color now?
Because restorations do not whiten. If you have visible fillings or crowns in the smile line, plan to replace or reshade them afterward: see replacing old dental work.
How long does it last?
It varies with diet, smoking and your own teeth. Most people need some maintenance over time. Ask what top-ups involve and cost before starting.
Is sensitivity normal?
It is common and usually temporary. Tell the practice if you already have sensitive teeth so the strength, wear time or product can be adjusted.
Do over-the-counter kits work?
Some lighten a little, but trays are not fitted to your teeth, the concentration differs, and nothing has examined the cause of the staining first.
Is whitening safe for enamel?
Professionally supervised whitening at appropriate concentrations is well established. Most problems come from unsupervised products, poorly fitting trays, or whitening over untreated decay or gum disease.
Is there a minimum age for whitening?
It is generally not recommended for children, and practices set their own policies for teenagers. It is a conversation to have rather than a product to buy.
What can I eat after whitening?
Avoid strongly staining foods and drinks for the period you are advised. The teeth are more absorbent immediately afterward. Ask the practice how long applies to the product used.