Teeth whitening: what to know before you start

Teeth whitening is often considered when teeth look yellow, dull, or stained from coffee, tea, smoking, or age. Not every colour change behaves the same way, so a cleaning change and a whitening change are not always the same thing.

It is wise to make sure the mouth is otherwise in good shape first. If gums bleed, teeth already feel sensitive, or there are untreated cavities, whitening can add irritation rather than improve comfort.

Fillings, crowns, and other repairs do not whiten in the same way as natural tooth material. That means the final look can be uneven if the mouth already has a lot of dental work.

If the aim is a clear and balanced result, professional advice is often the calmest route. A careful approach usually works better than trying to force a fast change.

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