Pearly white teeth whitening
Teeth whitening uses peroxide to lighten natural tooth colour after a dentist checks stains, enamel, gums, and restorations.
The short answer
Teeth whitening lightens some stains in natural enamel and dentin with a peroxide gel, but it does not change the colour of fillings, crowns, or veneers. The appropriate method depends on the cause of discolouration and the health of the teeth and gums.
What is the direct answer?
What does this question mean?
Peroxide breaks down selected colour molecules within the tooth. Surface stains from foods or tobacco may respond to cleaning, while trauma, decay, fluorosis, medication-related changes, or an internal stain may need a different treatment.
What can you do next?
Have a dentist examine the tooth surfaces, gums, existing restorations, and sensitivity before choosing a product. Options may include professional whitening, dentist-prescribed home trays, stain removal, bonding, veneers, or treatment of decay, depending on the diagnosis.
When should you seek dental care?
Seek an examination for one dark tooth, a grey tooth after an injury, uneven patches, pain, holes, or colour change beside a restoration. Postpone cosmetic whitening until active decay, gum inflammation, or significant sensitivity has been addressed.
What should you ask the dentist?
Ask what caused the colour change, how much natural tooth is visible, and which method fits your enamel and gums. Ask whether restorations will need colour matching and how sensitivity will be managed.
Frequently asked questions
Can whitening fix a dead tooth?
A tooth darkened after pulp injury may need internal assessment and a different treatment such as internal whitening or restoration.
Why do whitening treatments cause sensitivity?
Peroxide can temporarily affect fluid movement in dentin, especially when dentin is exposed or the tooth already has sensitivity.