When performed by a dentist, teeth whitening is safe and won’t harm your enamel or gums. You may experience some temporary sensitivity or mild gum irritation, but this is normal and usually fades within a few days.

Choosing a dentist for teeth whitening offers a range of important benefits. We use Boutique Whitening products, which is a premium brand that is only available to dentists. Unlike over-the-counter whitening kits, our teeth whitening treatment includes a full assessment of your teeth by our principal dentist, followed by a personalised treatment plan tailored specifically to you.

We also take precise moulds of your teeth to create custom-made trays. This ensures the whitening gel stays in contact with your teeth only, helping to protect your gums and deliver more even, effective results.

By comparison, at-home kits and strips are not professionally supervised, which increases the risk of gum irritation, enamel erosion, uneven whitening, heightened sensitivity, and potential nerve damage.

Treatment time can range from a week to a month, dependent on the current condition of your teeth, factors like sensitivity and the final results you’re aiming for. 

The results of teeth whitening can last anywhere from three months to three years. How long your results last will depend on how well you look after your teeth following the treatment. Read our next FAQ to find out how to maintain your bright smile.

You can keep your smile looking fresh and bright by incorporating these simple steps into your routine:

• Avoid foods and drinks that are known to stain your teeth such as tea, coffee, red wine, curry, berries
• Avoid smoking or chewing tobacco
• Maintain good oral hygiene by brushing and flossing regularly to remove any plaque build up
• Invest in a good tooth paste which has whitening and enamel protecting properties
• Book in for hygienist appointments at least once or twice a year

Our dentists will assess your teeth to ensure that you are suitable for this treatment. We will then recommend a treatment plan and after-care to protect against any sensitivity or discomfort.

In some cases where only a few teeth are showing minor staining, a deep clean with our hygienist will be enough to significantly improve your appearance.

Composite bonding or dental veneers can be used for more advanced smile makeovers. These treatments are recommended for teeth that are discoloured, chipped, worn, uneven, slightly crooked, or have gaps.

During your consultation, our experienced dentists will advise you on which option is best to achieve the smile you want.

It’s well known that food and drinks such as red wine, coffee and some fruit and vegetables are associated with staining teeth, as are lifestyle choices such as smoking and chewing tobacco.

It’s also well-known that not removing staining substances from the surface of teeth (and poor oral hygiene in general) can cause discolouration.

Advancing age is also a factor in darkening teeth – as we grow older the enamel layer of our teeth wears away, revealing the dentin which is more yellow in colour.

But there are also other risk factors that people are less aware of, for example, some medications are known to cause darkening of the teeth, as are certain diseases and medical treatments. It’s also a fact that genetics play a part in how prone you are to tooth discolouration – some people naturally have thicker, brighter enamel than others.

Teeth can also become darker after things like dental trauma or excessive exposure to fluoride from water sources or overuse of fluoride-containing toothpaste.