Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Is Teeth Whitening?In-Office WhiteningAt-Home Whitening KitsSide EffectsAftercare
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What Is Teeth Whitening?
In-Office Whitening
At-Home Whitening Kits
Side Effects
Aftercare
This article explains the different methods of professionalteeth whitening, what you can expect from the results, the costs of treatments, and possible risks or side effects of whitening.
BSIP / Universal Images Group / Getty Images
Teeth whitening reduces andremoves stainson your natural teeth. You can only whiten your natural teeth. If you have tooth-colored fillings, these cannot be whitened.
There are several different options for teeth whitening. Most professional teeth whitening methods usecarbamide peroxideand hydrogen peroxide.
There are three main stain types to consider with teeth whitening:
In-Office Professional Teeth Whitening
In-office teeth whitening is a simple procedure but requires skill to avoidinjury to thegingival(gum) area. Your provider may or may not use LED lights to speed up the process. The procedure can take anywhere from 60 to 90 minutes to complete.
Process
There are several steps to performing an in-office whitening:
Additionally, your provider may treat with fluoride before the whitening procedure, or fluoride may be used in the whitening solution to decrease potential tooth sensitivity. Fluoride does not affect the whitening ability of the products used.
Results
One of the benefits of professional teeth whitening is that providers can use higher concentrations of the products. Professional products can result in faster results; you will usually see noticeable whitening after one treatment. You and your dental health team can work together to determine how many treatments you need to achieve your desired tooth whiteness.
The results of teeth whitening aren’t permanent. They may last anywhere between a few months and several years.Drinking red wine, coffee, or smoking will decrease the time your teeth remain white.
Cost
However, it is still worth contacting yourdental insurance provider. Some plans offer an allowance for cosmetic procedures.
Custom At-Home Whitening Kits
You can also purchase acustom whitening kit from your dental provideras an alternative to the costlier in-office procedure.
These kits require a dental impression to make custom-fitted trays (dental cups contoured to your teeth).On average, the trays take one to two weeks to make.
Your dental provider will instruct you on the specifics of your kit. However, generally, you apply the whitening gel for 30-60 minutes for a couple of weeks.
Custom kits from your dental provider tend to work better than over-the-counter products. However, the strength of the whitening agent isn’t as concentrated as what your dental provider uses in the office. So, it will take longer to achieve whitening results than in-office whitening.
The 9 Best Teeth Whitening Kits, Tested and Reviewed
Side Effects of Teeth Whitening
There are a few side effects associated with teeth whitening. The main side effect is tooth sensitivity to hot and cold. This sensitivity is related to acondition calledpulpitisand is reversible.
Whitening agents can also weaken teeth' integrity, especially at higher concentrations.If you undergo a whitening procedure, ask your provider how they ensure the safety of your teeth.
If you use a home kit, ensure you understand how long to leave the gel on and wash it off when you are done. You may also experience minor tingling or irritation of your gums. When you undergo treatments at your dentist’s office, they’ll protect your gums because their higher concentration products can cause damage. The home products are a lower concentration but may still cause tingling and irritation.
Iftooth sensitivityis an issue, your provider may also recommend brushing your teeth with a toothpaste designed for sensitive teeth. Prescription toothpaste with higher fluoride concentrations can also help reduce tooth sensitivity.
Summary
The two main options for professional teeth whitening are in-office and custom at-home treatments. Your dental provider can help you determine which treatment will help you obtain your desired color and minimize discomfort.
7 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Cotner P. Animated-Teeth.com.Professional (in-office) whitening treatments - the procedure.American Dental Association.Whitening.Epple M, Meyer F, Enax J.A critical review of modern concepts for teeth whitening.Dent J (Basel). 2019;7(3). doi:10.3390/dj7030079Epple M, Meyer F, Enax J.A critical review of modern concepts for teeth whitening. Dent J (Basel). 2019;7(3):79.NHS.Teeth whitening.Colgate.What is the cost of professional teeth whitening?Colgate® Professional.Sensitivity after whitening: What can we offer our patients?Additional ReadingCarey, C.Tooth whitening: what we now know.J Evid Based Dent Pract. 2014; 14 Suppl:70-76. doi: 10.1016/j.jebdp.2014.02.006.
7 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Cotner P. Animated-Teeth.com.Professional (in-office) whitening treatments - the procedure.American Dental Association.Whitening.Epple M, Meyer F, Enax J.A critical review of modern concepts for teeth whitening.Dent J (Basel). 2019;7(3). doi:10.3390/dj7030079Epple M, Meyer F, Enax J.A critical review of modern concepts for teeth whitening. Dent J (Basel). 2019;7(3):79.NHS.Teeth whitening.Colgate.What is the cost of professional teeth whitening?Colgate® Professional.Sensitivity after whitening: What can we offer our patients?Additional ReadingCarey, C.Tooth whitening: what we now know.J Evid Based Dent Pract. 2014; 14 Suppl:70-76. doi: 10.1016/j.jebdp.2014.02.006.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Cotner P. Animated-Teeth.com.Professional (in-office) whitening treatments - the procedure.American Dental Association.Whitening.Epple M, Meyer F, Enax J.A critical review of modern concepts for teeth whitening.Dent J (Basel). 2019;7(3). doi:10.3390/dj7030079Epple M, Meyer F, Enax J.A critical review of modern concepts for teeth whitening. Dent J (Basel). 2019;7(3):79.NHS.Teeth whitening.Colgate.What is the cost of professional teeth whitening?Colgate® Professional.Sensitivity after whitening: What can we offer our patients?
Cotner P. Animated-Teeth.com.Professional (in-office) whitening treatments - the procedure.
American Dental Association.Whitening.
Epple M, Meyer F, Enax J.A critical review of modern concepts for teeth whitening.Dent J (Basel). 2019;7(3). doi:10.3390/dj7030079
Epple M, Meyer F, Enax J.A critical review of modern concepts for teeth whitening. Dent J (Basel). 2019;7(3):79.
NHS.Teeth whitening.
Colgate.What is the cost of professional teeth whitening?
Colgate® Professional.Sensitivity after whitening: What can we offer our patients?
Carey, C.Tooth whitening: what we now know.J Evid Based Dent Pract. 2014; 14 Suppl:70-76. doi: 10.1016/j.jebdp.2014.02.006.
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
