Whitening uses a peroxide-based gel to lighten the natural colour of the tooth. It is a cosmetic treatment, and the honest starting point is that results vary from person to person — which is why we assess before promising anything.
Assessment comes first
Whitening a mouth with untreated problems is a bad idea. Gel reaching a cavity or an exposed root causes real pain, and whitening cannot fix discolouration that is not coming from the tooth surface. Before starting we check for decay, gum health, cracks, and the cause of the discolouration — because some causes respond well and others barely at all.
What whitening will not change
Crowns, veneers, bridges and fillings do not whiten. If you have tooth-coloured restorations in your front teeth, the natural teeth around them will lighten and the restorations will stay as they are — which can leave them looking noticeably darker. They may need replacing afterwards to match. This is worth knowing before you start, not after.
The options
Take-home whitening uses custom trays made from impressions of your teeth, worn with gel for a set period each day over a couple of weeks. Because the trays are made to fit, the gel stays on the teeth rather than on the gums. This is a very commonly used approach and lets you control the pace.
In-surgery whitening uses a stronger gel applied by us with the gums protected, in a single appointment. Faster, and often combined with take-home trays for maintenance.
Sensitivity
Temporary sensitivity to cold is the most common side effect and usually settles within a day or two of finishing. It can be managed by using the gel for shorter periods, taking a break between applications, or using a desensitising toothpaste before and during treatment. Tell us if it is troubling you rather than pushing through.
Making it last
Whitening is not permanent. Teeth gradually pick up colour again from tea, coffee, red wine, dark sauces and tobacco. A professional clean removes surface staining, and occasional top-up whitening with your existing trays maintains the result. Avoiding strongly coloured food and drink for the first day or two after whitening helps.
A word on unregulated whitening
Whitening products sold cheaply online or offered by non-dental providers are a genuine risk. Poorly fitting trays let gel onto the gums and cause chemical burns; some products contain abrasives that damage enamel permanently; and no one has checked your mouth for decay first. Whitening should be carried out or supervised by a registered dental professional after an examination.
Common questions
Is it safe for enamel?
Professionally supervised whitening at appropriate concentrations is a well-established dental treatment and does not soften or damage enamel when used correctly. The risks come from unsupervised use, ill-fitting trays and abrasive products.
Can I whiten while pregnant or breastfeeding?
Whitening is usually deferred. It is elective, so there is no reason to take an unnecessary step — we will simply wait.
Can teenagers have it?
We assess case by case. There is no clinical urgency to whiten a young person's teeth, and we will say so if we think it should wait.
My tooth is dark after a root canal. Will this work?
Standard whitening often does not lighten a single dark root-treated tooth, because the discolouration comes from inside. Different approaches exist for that situation — ask us and we will explain what applies to your tooth.
What it costs
We do not publish a price list, because the right treatment — and so the price — depends on what we find when we examine you. What we promise instead:
- A written treatment plan and quote before any work begins
- No charges you have not agreed to first
- Payment by MTN MoMo, Airtel Money or card
Nervous about this treatment?
Tell us when you book. We allow extra time, explain each step before we do it, and stop whenever you ask us to.