Professional whitening at home

The gel lightens natural tooth structure by allowing peroxide to break down stain molecules within enamel and dentine. It does not change the colour of crowns, veneers, fillings, or bonding.

This question usually refers to take-home whitening prescribed and planned by a dentist, rather than an over-the-counter strip or an unlabelled bleaching product. The dentist records your starting shade, checks for decay and gum inflammation, and selects a gel concentration and tray design for your mouth.

Yellow or brown stains from foods, drinks, tobacco, or age-related changes may respond differently from a grey tooth, fluorosis marks, or staining caused by a dental filling. A single dark tooth can also have a pulpal problem and needs assessment before whitening.

At the appointment, the dentist examines enamel, exposed root surfaces, restorations, and gingiva, then treats active decay or gum disease before bleaching. Impressions or a digital scan are used to make trays that fit around the teeth and keep gel away from the gingival margin.

At home, place only the instructed amount of gel in each tray space, wear the trays for the prescribed time, remove excess gel from the gums, and clean the trays as directed. Record sensitivity or gum irritation, pause the treatment if these symptoms are troublesome, and contact the prescribing dentist for an adjustment.

Arrange an examination before whitening if you have untreated cavities, cracked teeth, leaking restorations, bleeding or swollen gums, exposed roots, unexplained tooth pain, or a tooth that has darkened on its own. These findings can require restorative, periodontal, or endodontic care rather than cosmetic bleaching.

Contact the dentist during a course if burning of the gums, marked or persistent tooth sensitivity, a poorly fitting tray, or gel leakage continues after you correct the application. Seek prompt dental assessment for swelling, severe pain, or a tooth that becomes increasingly dark.

Ask which stains are likely to respond, whether any cavities or gum problems need treatment first, and whether existing crowns, veneers, fillings, or bonding will need colour matching after whitening. Ask how the trays should be loaded, worn, stored, and cleaned.

Also ask what to do if sensitivity or gum irritation occurs, when the dentist wants to review the shade, and whether a single dark tooth needs a separate diagnostic test. The answers should be based on your examination and the material already present in your mouth.