Teeth whitening

Teeth whitening is a cosmetic dental procedure that lightens the natural shade of your teeth using bleaching agents. While it cannot make teeth perfectly white, it can significantly brighten them by several shades, giving you a fresher, more radiant smile.

Who can perform Teeth whitening?

Teeth whitening is considered a dental treatment and should only be carried out by a licensed dentist or a regulated dental professional — such as a dental hygienist or dental therapist — under the supervision or prescription of a dentist.

Some beauty salons offer whitening services without a qualified dental professional, but this practice is unsafe and illegal. Choosing unregulated whitening puts your oral health at risk.

At-home whitening kits are also available, but they may carry potential risks if not recommended or supervised by a dentist.

What happens during professional Teeth whitening?

If you decide to whiten your teeth professionally, you’ll usually need two to three visits to the dental clinic.

1. Custom Tray Preparation: Your dentist will take impressions of your teeth to create a fitted mouthguard.
2. Whitening at Home: You’ll receive a bleaching gel and instructions on using it with your mouthguard. The gel is applied regularly over a few weeks. Some gels can be worn overnight for up to eight hours, allowing faster results.

Another option islaser whitening (power whitening), which is done entirely in-office. A whitening gel is applied to your teeth, then activated with a special light or laser. This procedure usually takes about one hour and offers immediate results.

Can any dentist provide Teeth whitening?

Yes. Licensed dentists registered with theGeneral Dental Council (GDC) can legally whiten teeth. Dental therapists and hygienists may also carry out whitening treatments if prescribed by a dentist.

Patients can verify a professional’s registration status through the GDC’s official online register.

What about home kits and beauty salon whitening?

It is strongly recommended that you have your teeth whitened by a registered dental professional. Whitening offered by unqualified staff — for example, in beauty salons — is illegal and unsafe.

Home whitening kits may be convenient, but it’s always best to consult your dentist first to ensure the method is safe and effective for your teeth.

What are the risks of home kits and non-professional whitening?

Some at-home kits may not contain enough active whitening ingredients to achieve noticeable results. Others may include poorly fitted mouthguards, allowing bleaching gel to leak onto gums or soft tissues. This can lead to gum irritation, blistering, or tooth sensitivity.

Teeth whitening done in beauty salons by individuals without dental training poses even greater risks to oral health — and remains illegal in many regions.