What is teeth whitening? 7 things you should know

Teeth whitening lightens the natural color of the teeth with gels applied under a dentist’s supervision. When planned properly, it works without wearing away tooth tissue. Seven points to know before you start:

1. Not all discoloration is the same

Surface stains from tea, coffee and smoking often fade with scaling and polishing. Darkening that comes with age responds well to whitening. Stains caused by medication or fluorosis may not lighten fully with whitening; in that case options such as veneers are discussed.

2. Exam and cleaning come first

Any untreated decay or gum inflammation is treated first. Scaling makes whitening more effective.

3. Fillings and crowns do not whiten

Whitening only affects natural tooth tissue. If you have fillings in your front teeth, they may need to be replaced to match the new shade after whitening.

4. There are two methods

In-office whitening at the practice gives faster results. At-home whitening with custom trays is slower but controlled. Sometimes both are combined.

5. Temporary sensitivity is possible

Some people feel sensitivity to cold for a few days. It usually passes on its own; your dentist can recommend a desensitizing product if needed.

6. The first 48 hours matter

Avoiding tea, coffee, cola, red wine and smoking for two days after whitening helps keep the result.

7. Avoid unsupervised products

Products sold online without a dentist’s supervision can irritate the gums and give uneven results.

For details of the procedure at our practice, see our teeth whitening page.