Teeth whitening advice
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What causes tooth discolouration?
Having stains on your teeth and having tooth discolouration is very common. It can happen for many reasons, but many stains are manageable and can be prevented.
There are three types of tooth discolouration:
- Extrinsic – these are stains that only affect the surface of the tooth or the tooth enamel, and can usually be treated with over-the-counter teeth whitening products. Causes can include food like red sauces and chocolate, drinks like red wine, tea and coffee, and tobacco
- Intrinsic – these are stains that are located inside the tooth. Because they are within the tooth, this can make them harder to remove with over-the-counter whitening products. Causes can include some medications, tooth decay and genetics
- Age-related – as you get older, the enamel on your teeth can fade away. This can lead to a yellow appearance. The discolouration can be caused by both intrinsic and extrinsic factors.
Get to know the secret stainers
If you have white stains on your teeth, you might have a cavity. This starts as a white spot and turns darker as it develops. If you use too much fluoride, you might also get white spots on your teeth.
If your tooth stain is yellow, this might be caused by:
- Drinks like tea, coffee or red wine
- Having a diet high in simple sugars
- Some medications
- Having poor oral hygiene
- Having a chronic dry mouth
If your tooth staining is brown, this might be caused by:
- Using tobacco
- Drinks like tea, cola, red wine or coffee
- Fruits like pomegranates, blueberries and blackberries
- Tooth decay that isn’t treated
- Having a build-up of tartar
If your tooth staining is black, this might be caused by:
- Fillings and crowns that use silver sulphide
- Taking liquid iron supplements
- Having an advanced dental cavity
What happens when you get your teeth whitened?
Some teeth whitening products aim to actually remove extrinsic stains from your teeth but some others bleach the stains so that your teeth appear lighter in colour.
Many teeth whitening products use hydrogen peroxide to help break down and reduce stains on your teeth. Chemicals used for teeth whitening can be irritating to your body if the wrong dose is used, so it’s important that any teeth whitening products used are used as directed.
Natural vs professional teeth whitening
If you decide you want to get your teeth whitened, you have options ranging from toothpastes to having professional sessions.
Teeth whitening can be grouped into three types:
Professional teeth whitening
If you choose to have your teeth whitened professionally, your dentist might offer you laser whitening which is also known as power whitening. During laser whitening, a bleaching product is painted onto your teeth and then a laser or light is shone on them to activate the whitening activity. This can take about an hour.
Any dentist can whiten your teeth as long as they’re registered with the General Dental Council. Some registered dental therapists and dental hygienists can also whiten your teeth if this has been prescribed by a dentist.
Professional teeth whitening at home
If you choose to have your teeth professionally whitened at home, you’ll need to visit the dentist. They’ll begin by taking an impression of your teeth to make a mouthguard, then they’ll tell you how to use this with a bleaching gel.
You can use this mouthguard at home by regularly applying the gel for a certain amount of time over a few weeks. You can use some whitening gels for up to eight hours at a time – in some cases, this can reduce the treatment period.
Over-the-counter products for teeth whitening
Over-the-counter products for teeth whitening include certain whitening toothpastes and mouthwashes, which might contain baking soda. Baking soda works by scrubbing the stains away. Some also contain charcoal, which can also help.
If you use abrasives too often, such as those found in whitening toothpaste, this can damage your tooth enamel. If you’re using any over-the-counter products, speak to your dentist to make sure you’re using them safely.
Some whitening products also contain fluoride which can help to strengthen your tooth enamel and prevent future stains from happening. You can learn more about over-the-counter products for teeth whitening in the 'A brighter smile' section of the page.
A brighter smile
Is teeth whitening safe?
Teeth whitening carries risks no matter what type of treatment you choose. There might be a chance that your gums will be sensitive to the chemicals used in teeth whitening products, especially if you have sensitive teeth already. Some at-home teeth whitening kits also have a chance of burning your gums and harming your tooth enamel.
A common side effect of teeth whitening can be temporary tooth sensitivity. Some people also struggle with mouth and gum irritation from the use of hydrogen peroxide.
Research from 2019 has shown that getting your teeth whitened repeatedly, or using tooth whitening kits for a long period of time, can cause permanent damage to your tooth enamel.
Caring for your oral health
Frequently asked questions
Teeth whitening isn’t permanent. It can last between a few months and three years, but this can vary from person to person. If you drink red wine, tea, coffee or smoke (common things that stain your teeth), your teeth whitening might not last as long.
Teeth whitening doesn’t work on false teeth. This includes dentures, crowns, fillings and veneers.
1Subject to availability. Eligibility criteria may apply. Charges may apply.
2Access to prescription-only treatment is subject to an online consultation with a clinician to assess suitability. Subject to availability. Charges apply.
22Available in selected England stores only. Charges may apply. Subject to availability, eligibility criteria apply.
†The Hygiene Bank is a registered charity in:
England and Wales number: 1181267
Scotland number: SC049895
