What Results Can You Expect from Teeth Whitening?
This page is for adults considering teeth whitening. It covers how research measures tooth colour, why stains respond differently to whitening and why natural tooth colour differs, what a course at Deepcar Dental Care involves, including sensitivity and top-ups, and what whitening will not change. The core point: natural teeth can become lighter, but by an amount that varies between people and cannot be promised in advance.
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Clinically reviewed by Dr Ibraheem Ijaz, dentist · GDC 301711
Medical disclaimer: This page is for general information only. It does not replace an examination or treatment by a dentist.
Dr Ibraheem Ijaz, GDC 301711, principal dentist at Deepcar Dental Care and a General Dental Practitioner, reviewed this page. Whitening at the practice is provided by our dentists, and the main page explains how teeth whitening with a dentist works at Deepcar Dental Care.
What results can you realistically expect from teeth whitening?
Teeth whitening can lighten the natural colour of your teeth, but how much lighter they become varies between people and cannot be promised in advance.
Review evidence explains the mechanism. Peroxide in the whitening gel breaks down coloured compounds inside the tooth by oxidation, so they absorb less light and the tooth looks lighter.
How is tooth colour measured in whitening research?
In whitening research, tooth colour is measured with a shade guide, with colour-measuring instruments, or by analysing digital photographs.
A shade guide is a set of tooth-coloured tabs compared with the teeth by eye, which review evidence calls semi-quantitative. Instruments such as spectrophotometers record colour as numbers. Positioning splints can be used to locate measurement positions in the mouth, and an uneven tooth colour can complicate the reading. Review evidence notes that research usually assesses whitening agents in relative terms, not only by absolute whiteness numbers.
Why does whitening vary from tooth to tooth?
Whitening varies from tooth to tooth partly because stains differ, and review evidence notes that bleaching will not completely remove most discolouration within the enamel. That includes fluorosis and marks left as the enamel developed.
Natural tooth colour also differs from person to person. Enamel is white with some translucency. Review evidence notes that as enamel wears and thins, dentine shows through more and the tooth looks darker overall, and that tooth colour also depends on age.
How do different stains respond to whitening?
| Stain type | Where it sits | What is known |
|---|---|---|
| Surface stain (tea, coffee, red wine, smoking) | Outer surface | Common causes of staining (NHS guidance); abrasive cleaning can remove it (review evidence) |
| Fluorosis | In the enamel (formed with too much fluoride) | Bleaching may not completely remove it (review evidence) |
| Tetracycline staining | Deep inside the tooth | Difficult to treat (review evidence) |
| One dark tooth after injury or root canal | Inside that tooth | A single dark tooth usually has a local cause, such as root canal problems or injury (review evidence); a dark root-filled tooth can have internal whitening, 2 to 4 sessions at the practice |
Internal whitening is one of the whitening options in this section. If one tooth is darker than the rest, the guide to working out which option suits explains how root canal treatment and the cause of the darkening shape the options, and a separate page explains intrinsic and extrinsic staining.
To ask about teeth whitening, book online or call 0114 288 2121.
What does a whitening course involve?
A tray whitening course at Deepcar Dental Care is a take-home course over 2 appointments, with trays in hand around 1 week after the first.
| Stage | At Deepcar Dental Care |
|---|---|
| Systems | Enlighten or Boutique, both as take-home tray courses |
| Before you start | A hygiene visit is recommended |
| Trays | In hand around 1 week after the first appointment; trays last around 2 years if well looked after |
| Wearing the trays | Around 6 hours overnight, or around 1.5 hours during the day |
| Gel supplied | 3 to 4 weeks' worth, in 4 syringes |
| During treatment | Avoid smoking |
| After treatment | A white diet for 2 weeks |
| Longer term | A top-up is recommended every 6 months |
Sensitivity is possible while whitening and usually settles within about 2 weeks of finishing, and desensitising gel is supplied. If a side effect bothers you, NHS guidance is to talk to your dentist. A separate page covers whitening, enamel and sensitivity.
Longevity has its own page, on what affects how long whitening lasts, and the cost page sets out what it costs.
What will teeth whitening not change?
Teeth whitening will not change the colour of crowns, veneers or fillings, and it does not change the shape, size or position of teeth.
Existing work on the front teeth stays its current colour and may differ from natural teeth that lighten; read about how existing dental work responds to whitening. New restorations are matched to the teeth around them by dental shade matching.
Teeth whitening does not close gaps or repair chips; composite bonding and composite or porcelain veneers, among our cosmetic dental treatments, can. At the practice, whitening before bonding is optional.
Frequently asked questions
Does a scale and polish whiten teeth?
Not the tooth's own colour. A scale and polish removes plaque and tartar, as NHS guidance describes, and review evidence notes that professional dental cleaning can also remove surface stains. Stain within the tooth is different: review evidence notes that abrasive methods remove it only by removing part of the enamel.
Do whitening toothpastes change the natural colour of teeth?
Not in the way peroxide whitening does. Review evidence describes whitening toothpastes as preventing or removing surface stain. The General Dental Council notes that products on general sale must contain or release under 0.1% hydrogen peroxide, while gels of 0.1% to 6% may be sold only to dental practitioners.
Should you trust a promise of a set number of shades whiter?
Treat it with caution. The Advertising Standards Authority, the UK advertising regulator, expects whitening claims to be backed by appropriate evidence and has ruled against unsubstantiated shade claims. Whiter teeth shown in adverts should come from the product, not digital editing.
Who is teeth whitening not suitable for?
Whitening is not suitable for everyone. At Deepcar Dental Care, that includes anyone under 18, anyone pregnant or breastfeeding, and anyone with active tooth decay or gum disease, heavy tetracycline staining, or many crowns or veneers on the front teeth. NHS guidance also rules out unhealthy teeth or gums.
Can you whiten only your upper or lower teeth?
Yes. At Deepcar Dental Care a single-arch option is available, which whitens only the upper or only the lower teeth. Only the teeth in the whitened arch are treated, so the other arch keeps its current colour, which is worth weighing up first.
Book a consultation.
Online in under a minute, or call and speak to a real person.
You can book online or call 0114 288 2121, and the practice is open 8am to 8pm, Monday to Sunday.
The practice, at 334 Manchester Road, Deepcar, Sheffield, S36 2RH, is on the ground floor and wheelchair accessible, with free parking directly outside. A separate page covers teeth whitening in Sheffield.
334 Manchester Road
Deepcar, Sheffield S36 2RH
0114 288 2121
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