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Teeth Whitening Fact Sheet

The objective

Teeth whitening is a way of lightening the natural colour of your teeth without removing any of the surface enamel. While the procedure cannot make a complete colour change, it can lighten the existing shade and make your smile and teeth look brighter.

The procedure

The procedure may involve a combination of dentist appointments and ‘at home’ treatment - whereby the whitening methods will be carried by yourself at home under the dentist’s instruction. Dentist appointments may last up to one hour and total treatment time normally takes 3-4 weeks.

There are various methods and you can decide with the dentist which is the most appropriate. The most common involves bleaching of the teeth, where a rubber shield or gel is placed on the gums to protect the soft tissue and then a whitening product is applied using a specially made tray which fits into the mouth like a gum-shield. The active ingredient in the product is usually hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. The peroxide is broken down on the tooth surface and oxygen passes into the enamel to make the tooth colour lighter over time.

Laser whitening is another technique used (and cannot be carried out at home). A rubber dam is put over teeth to protect the gums, and a bleaching product is painted onto them. A laser is shone on the teeth to activate the chemical, speeding up the chemical reaction of the whitening product. Colour change can be achieved more quickly using this procedure, which can make teeth up to five or six shades lighter.

The outcome

Following the procedure, your teeth may feel sensitive and gums can sometimes be slightly sore.

The teeth should gradually appear whiter and brighter in appearance as a result of this dentistry, although it may take 4-5 weeks before you see the best results. The effects are not permanent but should last for around three years, and may depend on whether you smoke or continue to consume food or drinks that have a staining effect.

The risks

There are few risks associated with teeth whitening treatment but complications particular to it include temporary tooth sensitivity and sore gums. You may get a sore throat or white patches on the gum line.

Teeth whitening can only lighten existing tooth colour and only works on natural teeth. The treatment cannot work on dentures, crowns and veneers.

The costs

Costs depend on the type of treatment and the practice. In the UK, expect to pay from around £250 - £800 for standard teeth whitening depending on whether it is full-mouth and involves treatment at home. Laser whitening is more expensive; costs are around £700 - £1,300.

The availability

Teeth whitening is a widely-practised procedure available at most dentists. As a cosmetic procedure, it is not available under NHS treatment.

The popularity

Teeth whitening is becoming a very popular procedure for people of all ages and is often used to counter the effects of general discolouration of the teeth, which happens over time, because of food, drink, smoking and natural ageing. Tartar build up (composed of mineral salts, food, and other debris that has hardened over time) can also affect the colour of teeth and some people may have staining under the surface, which can be caused by certain antibiotics or tiny cracks in the teeth which absorb stains.

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