Make teeth white at home

At-home whitening can lift surface stains, but a dental check helps match the method to your enamel, fillings, and gum health.

Begin with brushing using fluoride toothpaste and cleaning between teeth. Avoid abrasive powders and acidic home mixtures, and use only a labelled whitening product as directed.

A dentist can examine enamel, exposed dentin, decay, cracks, and existing restorations before choosing a tray or another method. Stop if the gums burn, the teeth develop marked sensitivity, or gel contacts the soft tissues.

Arrange an examination for persistent darkening, a single grey tooth, pain, holes, or bleeding gums. A single discoloured tooth can need testing for pulp injury rather than cosmetic whitening.

Ask whether the colour is a surface stain or an internal change, whether decay or gum recession must be treated first, and how existing fillings or crowns will look after whitening.