Teeth darken from coffee, tea, smoking and simply age. Whitening uses a bleaching gel that lightens the pigment inside the tooth, not just surface stains. How much lighter you go depends on your natural shade, so a dentist checks your teeth and gums first.
Two ways to whiten
- In-chair Philips Zoom: a professional gel activated by LED light, with your gums protected throughout. You see a difference in one visit.
- At home: we make custom trays from a scan or impression and you wear a milder gel on a set schedule. Convenient, but needs consistency.
- Some people combine both to keep the shade longer.
In-chair steps
- 1 Check-up and shade record
- 2 Cleaning and polish if needed
- 3 Lips and gums shielded
- 4 Gel applied and activated with LED light in cycles
- 5 Final shade check and aftercare advice
Afterwards
- Some sensitivity for a day or two is common and passes on its own
- For 48 hours, avoid strongly coloured food and drink: coffee, tea, red wine, curry
- Regular brushing and cleans help the result last
Check with us first if
- You are pregnant or breastfeeding: best to wait
- You are under 16
- You have decay, gum inflammation or strong sensitivity (treat those first)
- You have crowns, veneers or fillings on front teeth, which won’t change colour
Common questions
How many shades lighter will I go?
It varies with your starting shade and what caused the discolouration. We record your shade before and after so you can compare.
How long does it last?
Typically months to around a year, depending on diet, drinks and smoking. Home trays can be used for top-ups.
