In-office bleaching (aka professional whitening)
You can expect the most dramatic results from a professional teeth whitening treatment.
You’ll start by meeting with your dentist, who will examine your teeth and gums and ask you about your oral hygiene, lifestyle, and whitening goals. You’ll go through a full dental exam and evaluation, to determine which treatment is best for you.
“Staining can be caused by problems like decay or hardened plaque on your teeth. An evaluation by a dentist is crucial, to make sure you don't have any bigger underlying problems that are causing your teeth to darken,” says Chicago dentist Dr. Kaori Ema in a .
You may have specific instructions to follow before your whitening appointment. For example, some dentists recommend using Sensodyne toothpaste twice daily for two weeks prior, to diminish sensitivity.
Before the whitening solution is applied, your gums will be carefully covered to prevent burns from the hydrogen peroxide. Then your provider will apply the whitening gel to the tooth surface.
- Zoom contains 25% hydrogen peroxide, and an overhead blue plasma light is used to activate the hydrogen peroxide. The gel stays on for 15 minutes, and the process is repeated three times for a total of 45 minutes.
- Glo Professional contains either 24% or 30% hydrogen peroxide. An LED mouthpiece is slipped over your teeth to activate the hydrogen peroxide formula. Dr. Maddahi likes Glo because he believes it causes less tooth sensitivity.
- BriteSmile uses a 25% hydrogen peroxide–based gel, activated by a specialized laser. It’s typically a one-hour session, with a series of three 20-minute applications. This laser whitening or “power whitening” treatment is intended to make teeth five to six shades brighter.
- Opalescence Boost contains a higher amount of hydrogen peroxide (40%). The consistency of the gel is stickier, and a light activator is not used. The gel also contains potassium nitrate (to reduce sensitivity) and fluoride (to prevent cavities). The process takes about an hour.
During any in-office whitening treatment, you’re encouraged to sit back and relax, listen to music, or watch TV. The process shouldn’t be painful, but you may experience occasional pangs of discomfort. “I felt the ‘zinger’ they said may happen toward the last few parts of the treatment only once, but it wasn’t bad enough to end the treatment early,” says one RealSelf member.
Take-home whitening systems
There are prefilled whitening trays that are available only from your dentist. You use them at home, so they’re easy to apply and very convenient.
- For Opalescence PF, your dentist makes a mold of your teeth and creates a custom tray based on the impression. You squirt gel (which in addition to hydrogen peroxide, contains potassium nitrate and fluoride) from a syringe into your tray and wear it for a specific amount of time (as little as 15 minutes or as long as overnight) determined by your dentist, based on your whitening needs, for two weeks.
- Opalescence Go is similar but uses prefilled disposable trays, which you wear for between 15 and 60 minutes for 5–10 days.
- BriteSmile’s line of at-home whitening pens is called BriteSmile To Go. It produces results similar to those of whitening strips or lower-strength bleaching trays. The instructions recommend applying the gel twice a day for two weeks, then as needed to maintain results.
OTC whitening products
Over-the-counter whitening systems vary in efficacy and results.
- Whitening strips are the most common (and most popular) option. These clear, disposable strips are applied to the teeth and worn for about 30 minutes a day (in the case of 3D Crest Whitestrips) for two weeks. They’re good for tackling mild stains but really reach only the front six to eight teeth, often called the “smile zone.”
- OTC kits that use blue LED light (such as Glo Lit Teeth Whitening Device tech kit, AuraGlow, iSmile, or Zero Glow Teeth Whitening Kit) use an LED mouthpiece to help jump-start the chemical (either carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide) that whitens your teeth.
- Other OTC products, such as whitening toothpaste, floss, and mouthwash have flooded the market recently. Unfortunately, clinical trials suggest that you won’t have significantly whiter teeth compared to their in-office counterparts.
RealSelf Tip: Some teeth whitening products list carbamide peroxide as their active ingredient. In water, carbamide peroxide breaks down into hydrogen peroxide and urea. “These at home products are typically used overnight in bleaching trays, as the carbamide peroxide takes time to break down into hydrogen peroxide,” explains Dr. Davidowitz. They can be a good option for those with sensitive teeth: the breakdown results in a lower concentration of hydrogen peroxide and accounts for it staying active over a longer period of time, working slowly and steadily.
FAQs
As a result, you may wonder if professional tooth whitening is worth the cost. Lots of patients are curious about in-office treatment and ask if it is really better than at-home options. The answer is a resounding yes. The most effective way to whiten teeth is with a professional in-office treatment.
Why didn't professional teeth whitening work? ›
Many factors may have come into why your teeth whitening didn't work as well as you hoped. The right product and concentration, and the proper method and duration, weren't chosen for your particular needs. Your trays were leaking, allowing the whitening product to leak out or saliva leak in and break down the product.
Does professional teeth whitening work better than at home? ›
Choosing a non-professional teeth whitening treatment can carry a higher risk of adverse effects, including damage to your teeth and gums, and even a worsening of your discoloration. By far, the safest and most effective option is to have your teeth professionally whitened by your dentist.
What do dentists say about teeth whitening? ›
Dentists typically recommend teeth whitening for patients that are not entirely happy with their smile due to minor to moderate discoloration.
Do most celebrities get their teeth whitened? ›
Most celebrities opt for regular teeth whitening treatments or veneers. Below you will find more information about which one is right for you.
Do whitened teeth look fake? ›
This is a common concern, but we can assure you that professional teeth whitening treatment won't make your teeth look unnaturally white. If you've seen people whose teeth look too white to be natural, you're probably seeing their veneers, not their real teeth.
Is professional teeth whitening bad for your enamel? ›
No. Although sensitivity is experienced due to the removal of the teeth stains, professional teeth whitening does not cause any threat to the enamel. The bleaching agent leaves the enamel in perfect condition while being able to remove deep stains.
Does professional teeth whitening weaken enamel? ›
We all want a white brighter smile. But this begs the question “does teeth whitening damage the enamel?” The answer is no. While there may sometimes be side effects, whitening treatment is safe on tooth enamel. The process of tooth whitening is essentially the tooth will become dehydrated, meaning dried out.
Who is a bad candidate for teeth whitening? ›
Brown or gray teeth, or teeth striped or mottled from tetracycline or too much fluoride, may not whiten evenly when bleached. People with periodontal disease or particularly sensitive teeth may want to avoid chemical whitening techniques that can irritate tender gums.
Is professional teeth whitening better than strips? ›
Your dentist can help you achieve such white teeth because they have access to much stronger whitening ingredients than you would find in teeth whitening strips.
"If the stains on your teeth are difficult or ingrained, it's unlikely to work," he says. "But if your issue is with surface stains, such as those from coffee, tea, red wine, berries or sauces, products like HiSmile may reduce their colour, leaving you with less staining on your teeth."
What is the most effective teeth whitening method? ›
Option #1: In-Office Laser Whitening
This is one of the popular teeth whitening methods that some people believe is the most effective way to get a brighter smile. Using lasers and peroxide-based whitening agents in a professional setting, this teeth whitening method provides dramatic, lasting results.
Does swishing hydrogen peroxide whiten teeth? ›
When used carefully, it can be an effective way to whiten your teeth. But if used incorrectly — in concentrations that are too high or if used too often — it can cause serious and sometimes expensive tooth damage. If you choose to whiten your teeth with hydrogen peroxide, do so cautiously.
What percentage of Americans whiten their teeth? ›
According to the AACD survey, 77% of women and 65% of men said they had undergone teeth whitening at some point in their lives. Teeth whitening is also popular among different age groups. The highest percentage of people who have undergone the procedure are in the 25-34-year-old age group (79%).
What is the least damaging way to whiten your teeth? ›
Baking Soda: As long as you are careful to brush gently, baking soda can eliminate stains from the surface of your teeth without damaging them. Whitening Strips: Whitening strips mold to the shape of your teeth to whiten them. Whitening strips are both safe and effective.
How long does professionally whitened teeth last? ›
The most effective way to whiten your teeth is professional teeth whitening treatment applied by your dentist in the office. The results of this type of treatment can last between 1 and 3 years. In-office teeth whitening involves the following process: The gum tissue is protected from the effects of the bleaching gel.
How long do professional teeth whitening results last? ›
With proper care, your brighter smile can last for 1-3 years. A single session may last anywhere between 40 minutes to an hour. The procedure requires applying a specially formulated gel that contains anywhere between 25% to 40% hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide to whiten the teeth.
How many sessions does it take to whiten teeth? ›
Even though it may include many administrations of the bleaching solution, most patients need one teeth whitening treatments session. Wearing the whitening pellets lasting up to two weeks may be required for at-home whitening kits.
How often should you get your teeth professionally whitened? ›
In-office teeth whitening treatment offers a way for you to brighten your smile safely. Dentists recommend getting whitening treatment once a year or so for most patients to keep their smiles looking aesthetically pleasing. Whitening teeth too often could cause certain oral health concerns, such as worn-down enamel.
