A brighter smile in a single session.
Teeth whitening is a cosmetic procedure that lifts the stains enamel picks up over the years from coffee, tea, smoking and certain foods, returning the tooth toward its natural shade without drilling or removing any tooth structure.
It always starts with an examination. Surface staining responds to whitening; discolouration caused by a damaged nerve or an old leaking filling is a different problem with a different treatment, and bleaching it will not help. Any decay or gum inflammation is treated first.
There are two routes: in-clinic whitening at a higher concentration under direct supervision, with a result visible in the same visit, and home whitening using trays made to fit your own teeth, worn for a period the dentist sets. The two are often combined.
What whitening does not do: the agents work on natural tooth structure only, so composite fillings, crowns and veneers keep their existing shade. If any of these sit in the smile line they may need replacing afterwards to match — something discussed before treatment, not after.
Sensitivity to cold during or after a session is common, temporary, and settles within a day or two. How long the result lasts depends on daily habits more than on anything else.
Common questions
About Teeth Whitening
- Does teeth whitening hurt?
- The whitening itself is not painful. What patients notice is sensitivity to cold during the session or over the following day — common, temporary, and it settles on its own within a day or two. Desensitising agents are used and the gum is protected from contact with the gel. Tell your dentist if you already have sensitive teeth; there are gentler protocols.
- How long do the results last?
- Typically anywhere from several months to about two years, and the difference comes down to habits more than to the type of whitening. Coffee, tea, smoking and dark fizzy drinks bring staining back faster. Regular cleaning, drinking staining liquids through a straw, and a short top-up session when needed extend the result considerably.
- Does whitening affect fillings and crowns?
- No. The agent works only on natural tooth structure, so composite fillings, crowns and veneers keep their original colour. If any of them sit in the visible smile line, they can end up looking darker than the whitened teeth and may need replacing to match. This is checked and explained before whitening begins, so the whole plan is in front of you.
- How many sessions will I need?
- It depends on how much staining there is and which route is used. In-clinic whitening often gives a clear result from the first session, with some cases needing a second. Home whitening with trays runs over a period the dentist sets based on how your teeth respond. The number is decided after the examination — estimating it before seeing the teeth is guesswork.
- Can I whiten my teeth while pregnant or breastfeeding?
- The usual advice is to postpone cosmetic whitening until after pregnancy and breastfeeding — not because harm has been established, but because evidence in this group is limited and whitening is elective, so it can wait. Cleaning and necessary treatment should not be postponed; tell your dentist you are pregnant so timing and approach can be adjusted.
- How much does whitening cost?
- Cost depends on the route (in-clinic or home trays), the number of sessions, and whether anything is needed first such as a cleaning or a filling. That is why the price is given after an examination rather than before — a number quoted over the phone without seeing the teeth is not a real one. Contact us to book an examination and you will have a clear plan and cost before anything begins.