A comprehensive guide on how to get white teeth

Teeth whitening is the process of reducing and removing both surface stains and staining below the tooth enamel. Extrinsic stains are found on the surface of your teeth and can be caused by the things you eat and drink or habits like smoking. Intrinsic stains lie below the tooth enamel and are more difficult to lighten; these stains can be caused by genetics, ageing or taking certain medications. If you have dental work, such as veneers, crowns, or implants, be aware that a teeth whitening treatment won’t work on porcelain or bonding materials. But if your natural teeth are stained, there are lots of teeth whitening options that can help to brighten your smile.

Professional teeth whitening tends to offer faster and better results, plus you’re in the safe hands of your dentist. Most professional teeth whitening treatments use the active ingredients hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide to penetrate your tooth enamel and gently lift stains, leaving them looking brighter and whiter.

In-office laser teeth whitening is the most effective method and can deliver great results in the shortest time; however, it’s also the most expensive teeth whitening treatment. Your dentist will protect your gums and apply the whitening gel to your teeth before using an LED light or laser to accelerate the process. A laser teeth whitening treatment should last around 60 minutes, and you’ll notice a difference after just one session.

Another popular professional teeth whitening treatment is to have your dentist take impressions of your teeth to make custom-fit trays. You can then take the trays home along with whitening gel and use them a few times a week until you get your desired result. The whitening gel provided by a dentist is stronger than any products available over the counter, so this method is effective; however, it takes longer to see results compared to using laser teeth whitening.

If you have a big event or a holiday coming up, you may want to try a home teeth whitening kit to brighten your smile beforehand. In the UK, over-the-counter teeth whitening products can only legally contain 0.1% hydrogen peroxide (compared to around 6% in whitening gel from your dentist); however, they can still be effective, especially for keeping recently whitened teeth looking bright. Here are some options so you can choose the best at-home teeth whitening kit for you.

The best teeth whitening strips contain a low percentage of hydrogen peroxide and are quick and easy to use. Simply dry any excess saliva from your teeth and place the adhesive strips over the surface, taking care to avoid your gums. Wear the strips for 30 minutes, then peel off and wipe any residue from your teeth.

LED whitening kits mimic laser teeth whitening at the dentist and are easy to use at home. When using our Colgate Max White LED Kit,  use the teeth whitening pen to apply the solution to your teeth, then place the mouthpiece in your mouth, gently bite down and turn on the LED light. After 10 minutes, remove the LED and rinse your mouth thoroughly.

You can also whiten your teeth while you sleep with our Colgate Max White Teeth Whitening Pen. Use the precision brush to paint the serum onto the surface of your teeth, while making sure to avoid your gums. Allow the serum to dry into an invisible film and leave it to work overnight while you sleep, then wake up with a brighter smile!

Using a whitening toothpaste and mouthwash every day is an easy way to keep your smile looking clean and bright and stop surface stains from setting in. Colgate Max White Ultimate Radiance is our most advanced whitening toothpaste that deeply whitens for 10x whiter teeth in just 3 days*. Use it in combination with our Max White Expert Whitening Mouthwash for optimal results.

It’s important to speak to your dentist before trying any over-the-counter whitening products. Some products will work better than others, depending on the cause of your staining. Here are some factors that may affect your choice of teeth whitening treatment:

• If your teeth are yellow, they may respond best to whitening gel, while brown or grey teeth may not. If your teeth are striped or mottled from using too much fluoride, they may not react or whiten evenly, even when bleached. 

• If you have some natural teeth and some veneers or crowns, teeth whitening treatment can lead to an uneven look, and the unchanged colour of your dental work may stand out in your newly whitened smile.

• If you have periodontal disease or very sensitive teeth, you may want to avoid whitening treatments, as they can make teeth more sensitive and may irritate tender gums if they’re not protected.

• If you have staining caused by medication and want to have a whiter, brighter smile, veneers may be a more suitable option for you.

When done correctly, teeth whitening is very safe. The main side effects people experience during or after teeth whitening are sensitivity and gum irritation. This can be more likely if you’ve had a few treatments or used whitening products repeatedly within a short time. If you experience sensitivity or burning gums during an in-chair treatment, let your dentist know immediately. If you feel any discomfort during at-home whitening, stop using the product immediately and remove any residue from your teeth. Always follow the instructions for use with any at-home teeth whitening kit.

We know that a bright white smile is your goal, so the first thing to consider is proper dental hygiene. Here are some tips for keeping your smile white:

• Brush your teeth twice a day and floss once a day to prevent plaque buildup and keep your teeth as clean as possible. You can start to use a whitening toothpaste a few days after your treatment.

• Try to avoid foods and drinks that are known to stain your teeth, this includes things like tea, coffee, red wine and curry sauce. This is especially important in the first 24-48 hours after a teeth whitening treatment. 

• Use a straw when drinking anything that isn’t water to avoid liquids from coming into contact with your teeth. 

• Avoid smoking or using other tobacco products.

• Visit your dentist regularly for checkups and professional cleaning from a dental hygienist.

Here are the answers to some commonly asked questions about professional teeth whitening:

*Stains caused by food and drink vs fluoride toothpaste after 3 days.

First and foremost, it is important to have a conversation with your dentist before trying any over-the-counter products on your teeth. Various tooth whitening options work better for specific causes of stains.

• If your teeth are yellow, they may respond best to bleaching, while brown or grey teeth may not. If your teeth are striped or mottled from using too much fluoride, they may not react or whiten evenly even when bleached. Bleaching isn’t recommended if you have tooth-coloured fillings, crowns, caps or bonding on your front teeth — bleaching the materials used to make these products is not recommended as the colour of the restorative material will not change. If you have some natural teeth and some veneers or crowns, tooth whitening treatments can lead to an uneven look and the unchanged colour of your dental work may stand out in your newly whitened smile.
• If you have periodontal disease or very sensitive teeth, you may want to avoid chemical whitening products and techniques, as they can make teeth more sensitive and may irritate tender gums if they’re not protected.
• If you have staining from medication that you’ve taken, or other causes and want to have a whiter, brighter smile, there are various options like porcelain veneers, which you can have placed over your natural teeth.

We know that a bright white smile is your goal, so the first thing to consider is proper dental hygiene. This includes brushing with a tooth whitening toothpaste in the morning and before bed and flossing once a day. If these things aren’t giving you the confident smile you’re looking for, talk to your dentist and start working on a plan to bring out your best smile.