How whitening works
Whitening uses a gel, sometimes activated with a light or laser. There are two main ways to do it:
- Home whitening: custom-made trays are filled with gel and worn at home for 2 to 6 weeks, following the dentist's instructions
- In-clinic whitening: the gel is applied at the clinic, sometimes with a light or laser, usually in one appointment of 1 to 2 hours
Before whitening, we check your teeth and gums, because decay and gum problems need treating first.
What whitening can't do
Whitening only works on natural teeth. It won't lighten fillings, crowns, veneers or dentures, so these may not match afterwards. Stains that don't respond, chips and gaps can be treated with bonding or veneers instead.
How our dentists manage it
How we manage your teeth whitening
Check your teeth first
We examine your teeth and gums, because decay and gum problems need treating before whitening.
Be honest about the result
We explain what whitening can and can't change, including fillings or crowns that won't lighten. If a scale and polish will do the job, we say so.
Choose the right option
We explain the whitening options that suit you, how long each takes and what it costs.
Follow up on sensitivity
Sensitivity and sore gums usually pass. If they don't, come back and we'll check.
Who should not have whitening
- Anyone aged 17 or under
- People with unhealthy teeth or gums
- Anyone who is pregnant or breastfeeding
Side effects
Some people get sensitivity to cold or sweet food and drink, sore gums or throat, or white patches on the gums. These are usually temporary.
Why it should be done by a dentist
Whitening done in beauty salons, or with kits bought online, may not work as well and can harm your teeth and gums. A dentist checks first that your teeth and gums are healthy enough for whitening.
Why teeth darken
Teeth darken naturally with age, and they pick up stains from coffee, tea and red wine, and from smoking. Whitening works on this kind of staining. Some discolouration doesn't respond to whitening, and then veneers or bonding can cover it instead.
Keeping your teeth white
Results last around three years if you follow your dentist's advice afterwards. Because coffee, tea, red wine and smoking are what stain teeth in the first place, cutting down on them may help the colour last longer.
Regular scale and polish appointments remove new surface stains between whitening treatments. If you have crowns, veneers or dentures on your front teeth, they will stay the same shade. Talk to us before whitening about how the colours will match.
Who treats you
Teeth Whitening at Dental Plus
With cosmetic treatment, trust comes down to honesty. We'd rather tell you that whitening won't give the result you want than sell you a treatment that disappoints.
Whitening is part of cosmetic dentistry at Dental Plus. If something simpler will do the job, such as a scale and polish to remove surface stains, we'll tell you.
The clinic was clean and welcoming, with friendly, professional staff.”Read more Dental Plus patient reviews
Common questions about teeth whitening
How long does teeth whitening last?
Around three years if you follow your dentist's advice afterwards.
Does whitening damage teeth?
When it is done or prescribed by a dentist, side effects such as sensitivity and sore gums are usually temporary. Salon and online whitening may not work as well and can harm your teeth and gums.
Will whitening change the colour of my crowns or fillings?
No. Whitening only works on natural teeth, so crowns, fillings, veneers and dentures stay the same colour.
Does whitening hurt?
Some people get temporary sensitivity to cold or sweet food and drink, or sore gums, during or after whitening. These usually pass.
Can I use a shop-bought whitening kit?
The NHS warns that whitening from beauty salons, or with products bought online, may not work as well and can harm your teeth and gums.
Related treatments
- Veneers & BondingFixing chips, gaps, stains and shape with bonding or veneers.
- Scaling & PolishingA professional clean that removes tartar brushing cannot shift.
- Crowns & BridgesCaps that protect damaged teeth, and bridges that fill gaps.
- Braces & OrthodonticsStraightening crowded, gapped or crooked teeth, for teenagers and adults.
How this guide was made
Dental Plus, a family dental clinic in Bahria Town, Rawalpindi, publishes this guide. It was drafted with the help of AI writing tools. Every medical statement was then checked against the sources below, last on 6 October 2026. What we say about our own clinic, our dentists and how we treat patients comes from the clinic. Patient quotes are copied word for word from Google reviews.
This page is general information, not a diagnosis. For advice about your own teeth, book an examination.