The stain isn’t
on the surface.
That is the whole reason a store-bought kit disappoints people. It lifts what is on the outside of the tooth. The discolouration that bothers you is usually coming from inside it.
It comes down to oxidisation.
Professional-grade whitening solution does not stop at the enamel — it penetrates it. Once inside the tooth, it begins a process of oxidisation that changes the molecules responsible for the discolouration so they reflect less light.
Appearing colourless, they stop darkening the tooth — and the tooth reads as a brilliant white.
A store-bought solution is not nearly as strong, so it typically only removes surface staining. That helps with marks from recent food and drink. It does not reach the deep discolouration coming from within the tooth. Ours does.
We see a fair number of patients who tried a kit first and wished they had come in to begin with.
One visit, visible on the way out
Your teeth are prepared and your lips and gum tissue protected before the solution goes on — that protection is part of why professional-strength solution can be used safely at all.
The solution begins working during the appointment, and teeth show an immediate improvement between sitting down and leaving.
Health first, colour second.
Before deciding whether someone is a good candidate, we examine thoroughly for cavities, infection and gum disease. Any of those need treating before any cosmetic procedure.
The reason is practical: whitening solution on a decaying or exposed tooth causes real discomfort and makes the underlying problem worse. It is not a delay for the sake of it.
If we do find something, we can usually correct it quickly and get you booked for whitening straight after.
Adults and some older teens
Whitening is not an appropriate procedure for children — and fortunately they very rarely need it.
For older teenagers we take it case by case, with parents part of the conversation.
Every six to twelve months, if your teeth are healthy.
That is the normal range for most people, and there is no benefit in going more frequently.
If your teeth are not healthy, are sensitive, or show signs of erosion, we will usually recommend whitening no more than once a year. Enamel that is already thin does not need the extra work.
This is a judgement we make at the examination rather than a rule applied to everyone.
Making it last longer
- Drink water — and drink some every time you eat or have anything else, coffee especially
- Brush after meals, and after anything particularly staining
- Avoid food and drink with added colouring
- Go easy on acidic things and on anything full of tannins
- Coffee, red wine and soy sauce are the notable culprits — in moderation, not abstinence
- Use a whitening toothpaste between treatments
Whitening toothpaste will not do what an in-office treatment does, but it genuinely helps hold the result you paid for.
Whiten before, not after.
Whitening works on natural enamel and does nothing at all to porcelain or composite.
So if veneers, bonding or a crown are anywhere in your plans, whitening comes first — then the restoration is shade-matched to the result. Do it the other way round and you are matched to your old shade permanently.
When whitening is the wrong tool
Some discolouration will not respond to whitening at all — certain intrinsic stains, staining from particular medications, and the grey cast a tooth takes on after trauma or root canal treatment.
For those, bonding or veneers cover what whitening cannot lift. We will tell you which category yours is in before you spend money on the wrong one.
Answered honestly.
Why not just buy a kit?
Will it make my teeth sensitive?
How white will they actually go?
How long does the result last?
Does it damage enamel?
Will it whiten my fillings and crowns?
One appointment, visible before you leave.
We will check your teeth are healthy enough first, tell you honestly what result to expect, and get on with it.