Many people try to whiten their teeth themselves, without considering whether the method they have chosen is safe for their teeth. Such home experiments often result in tooth sensitivity, gum irritation or uneven tooth colour. In practice, safe teeth whitening depends primarily on choosing the right method for the condition of the enamel and gums, as well as the patient’s individual tissue response. 

Tooth colour and risky attempts at home whitening

The colour of your teeth does not depend solely on oral hygiene. The natural colour of the dentine, the thickness of the enamel, age and daily habits all play a significant role. Coffee, tea, red wine and cigarettes can also gradually change the shade of your teeth. You can find out more about this in the article “What tooth colour depends on".

Many people who want a beautiful, white smile opt for home remedies. The most popular choices are over-the-counter whitening toothpastes and strips. These can remove some superficial discolouration and provide a slight whitening effect, which usually lasts for a few weeks or months. However, they do not alter the natural colour of the teeth.

The problem arises when, instead of tried-and-tested products, people use random methods found on the internet. This includes, amongst other things, bicarbonate of soda, activated charcoal and homemade mixtures containing acids. Such substances can wear away or weaken the enamel, increase sensitivity and lead to gum irritation. As a result, your teeth may look worse than they did before you started the whitening process. You can read more on this topic in the article “Home remedies for teeth whitening - pros and cons".

IMPORTANT! Safe teeth whitening is not just about achieving a brighter shade, but above all about protecting the tissues from permanent damage. If the enamel is weakened, subsequent treatment can be much more difficult than simply removing the discolouration.

Safe teeth whitening at home and at the dentist’s

Safe at-home teeth whitening relies on products with a controlled concentration, most commonly in the form of custom-made trays filled with gel. These work gradually and allow you to monitor the results at every stage. The result is moderate, but even and long-lasting. The teeth begin to lighten after a few days or weeks and the results last longer than with haphazard methods. We have written more on this subject in the article “Kit for home tooth whitening ".

Another way to whiten your teeth safely In-clinic whitening is another option. It produces faster and better results, not least because dentists use stronger whitening gels. Importantly, it requires a prior assessment. The dentist assesses the condition of the enamel, gums and fillings, as these factors affect safety and the final result.

Here you can choose from two options: an LED whitening lamp (more on this here) or Enlighten teeth-whitening (more on this here).

Why price shouldn’t be the only criterion

The cost of teeth whitening depends on the method used and the level of control over the entire process. Over-the-counter products are the cheapest, but their results are usually limited and less predictable. At-home whitening kits offer greater control over the course of treatment, whilst in-clinic treatments deliver results in a much shorter time under the constant supervision of a specialist.

At our clinic, for at-home tray-based teeth whitening You’ll pay £300 for the LED lamp in the treatment room – £400 – and £550 for the Enlighten system. Importantly, if the costs exceed £350, you can make use of our instalment plan. The first 12 months are interest-free, so you only pay back the amount you’ve spent. Our scheme is secure and regulated by Financial Conduct Authority (FCA number 619628).

As we have observed, patients often compare the prices of different methods, but the predictability of the outcome and safe teeth whitening are far more important. This allows for control not only over the whitening process itself, but also over the evenness of the colour and the longevity of the result achieved.

That is why safe teeth whitening should be preceded by a diagnosis and the selection of a method tailored to the individual conditions in the mouth. This makes it easier to achieve a result that looks natural, is even and lasts for a long time.