Teeth Whitening

Dentist-supervised home whitening with custom trays typically costs £250–£500. In-chair whitening at the practice typically costs £300–£700, and combined packages (in-chair plus take-home trays for top-ups) sit at the top of that range. Prices are indicative — practices set their own fees, so compare what's included.

No. Tooth whitening is classed as dentistry, so only GDC-registered dental professionals may legally carry it out, and only products containing up to 0.1% hydrogen peroxide can be sold direct to the public. Beauty salons, kiosks and mobile technicians offering whitening are breaking the law, and the GDC prosecutes illegal whitening — the products used can permanently damage teeth and gums.

No — whitening is cosmetic, so it's private-only. The exception is where a tooth has darkened after root canal treatment; internal bleaching of that tooth may occasionally form part of NHS care, but routine cosmetic whitening never does.

Typically one to three years before the shade drifts back, depending on staining habits — tea, coffee, red wine, curry and smoking all shorten it. If you have custom trays, occasional top-up gel (often £20–£60 per syringe from your dentist) maintains the result far more cheaply than starting again.

Dentist-supervised whitening with legal gels doesn't damage enamel, but temporary sensitivity is common for a day or two after treatment, and gum irritation can occur if trays fit poorly — which is exactly what dentist supervision prevents. Sensitivity toothpaste before and during treatment helps. If you have decay or gum disease, that needs treating first — a dentist checks this before prescribing.

No — bleaching gels only lighten natural tooth tissue. Crowns, veneers and white fillings stay their manufactured shade, so if you whiten around them they may end up looking darker by comparison. A dentist will plan whitening before any new crowns or veneers so everything can be matched to the lighter shade.