Teeth whitening is a cosmetic dentistry treatment that lightens the colour of teeth by removing surface stains, intrinsic stains, and extrinsic stains caused by everyday foods, coloured foods, dark food, smoking stains, and natural ageing. The process involves applying active ingredients, usually hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide, to the enamel surfaces to break down color molecules trapped in the tooth enamel.
Depending on the method, teeth can become several shades whiter in a short period of time, whether you’re using chair whitening in a dental clinic or a take-home whitening treatment.
What Is Teeth Whitening?
Teeth whitening is a cosmetic treatment that lightens the colour of teeth by removing or reducing stains caused by lifestyle, natural ageing, or underlying conditions. The treatment uses active ingredients like hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide to break down colour molecules in your enamel and dentin — essentially lifting away surface stains and lightening your natural teeth by several shades whiter.
There are both in-chair whitening and take-home whitening kit options, each tailored to different needs, budgets, and tooth shade starting points. From cold-light-activated bleaching treatment to hydrogen peroxide-based bleaching agents, it’s not one-size-fits-all — especially if you’re dealing with sensitive teeth, discoloured teeth, or restorative dental treatments.
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What’s Behind It
Not all tooth discolouration is created equal. Before you throw money at whitening kits, understand what kind of stain you’re dealing with:
Extrinsic Staining (Surface Level)
- Caused by coffee, dark food, red wine, cigar smoking, and everyday foods
- Results in yellow teeth, brown tints, or surface dullness
- Responds well to professional whitening gels and bleaching agents
Intrinsic Staining (Below the Surface)
- Stains inside the tooth enamel, often from tooth trauma, medications, decay, or fluorosis
- Doesn’t always respond well to whitening
- May need alternative cosmetic dentistry treatments like veneers or bonding
Examples of Tooth Staining You Can’t Whiten
- White spot lesions from enamel demineralisation
- Discoloured teeth from metal fillings
- Stained crowns, veneers, or cosmetic teeth restorations
If you’re unsure whether you’re a candidate for teeth whitening, keep reading — or speak with a dental practitioner or cosmetic dentist who can assess your dental enamel and make a treatment plan.
Is It Right for You?
Not everyone is a good match for teeth whitening — and the wrong treatment can do more harm than good. Here’s how to tell:
Ideal Candidates:
- Healthy natural teeth (no untreated tooth decay or gum disease)
- Dislike the appearance of teeth due to extrinsic stains
- Want an affordable teeth whitening option from a dental clinic or partner beauty salon
Not Suitable For:
- Pregnant or breastfeeding people
- Those with significant gum sensitivity or tooth enamel erosion
- Clients with cosmetic restorations in visible areas (e.g. veneers, crowns)
- People experiencing temporary tooth sensitivity or undergoing other dental procedures
A consultation with a dental professional is your safest first step — especially if you’ve tried counter teeth whiteners or DIY Advanced Teeth Whitening Kit solutions with little success.
What to Expect
At your dental appointment or clinic visit, you should be walked through:
- A full oral health check — including your tooth enamel, existing dental treatments, and tooth discolouration
- Identification of intrinsic stains vs extrinsic staining
- Your options: chair whitening, take-home whitening treatment, or a combination of both
- Risks, aftercare, and potential adverse effects
- How many shades whiter your teeth may go — without hype
Some clinics may offer custom bleaching trays, 45 min peroxide-free whitening treatment, or a 60 min peroxide-free whitening treatment depending on your needs.
Types of Procedures
Let’s separate effective solutions from the fluff.
In-Chair Treatment at a Dental Surgery
- Uses hydrogen peroxide gel (up to 35%) under the supervision of a dental practitioner or dental therapist
- Often uses blue light, bright light, or diode laser to accelerate results
- Achieves results of up to 8 shades whiter in a single visit
- Includes gum care barriers to protect soft tissues
Great for: Quick results, deep tooth stain removal, and safe application in a clinical setting.
Take-Home Whitening Trays (Custom-Made)
- Provided by your dental clinic after taking moulds of your teeth
- Uses lower concentrations of carbamide peroxide
- Worn for 30 minutes to a few hours over a set treatment regimen
- Allows flexibility and reduces tooth sensitivity
Great for: Long-term whiter teeth maintenance and home-based treated teeth.
Over-the-Counter Products & Teeth Whitening Kits
- Strips, pens, and LED devices sold online or in stores
- Often limited in strength (0.1–6% hydrogen peroxide in Australia)
- Results are inconsistent and rarely address intrinsic staining
Warning: These are often not supervised and may cause gingival irritation,
enamel roughness, or chemical degradation of the tooth surface if overused.
Smile Brighter, Feel Better
We are using a cool LED light paired with the whitening solution that doesn’t cause sensitivity, unlike dental whitening, and you can get 1–6 shades whiter in 1 session. For first time clients we recommend getting the Deluxe treatment which is 2 back-to-back appointments to help you achieve the bright smile you’ve always wanted.
A standard Treatment at a dental practice might follow this order:
- Consultation & Tooth Shade Mapping
- Mouth prep: Lips and gums are covered to protect soft tissues
- Application of whitening gel — with active ingredients like hydrogen peroxide dental-grade whitening agent
- Light activation (optional depending on brand)
- Rinse and recheck the colour
Aftercare involves
Aftercare Tips for Teeth Whitening:
- Avoiding coloured foods, coffee, and wine for 24–72 hours
- Rinsing your mouth with water after meals
- Using a soft toothbrush or an electric toothbrush for gentle cleaning
- Applying an enamel booster or desensitising gel if needed
How Long Do Results Last?
With proper oral hygiene, your results can last 6–12 months or longer. However, your lifestyle is a huge factor.
What Shortens Whitening Results:
- Heavy drinker of coffee, cola, or tea
- Regular smoking stains from tobacco or vapes
- Poor gum care or brushing habits
Maintain Your Bright Smile With:
- Regular brushing and flossing
- Touch-ups with the take-home whitening kit
- Rinsing after dark food or drinks
- Avoiding aggressive, abrasive products that erode dental enamel
Some clinics offer 12-month colour stability programs with scheduled touch-up treatments and touch-up solution options.
What Whitening Can’t Do
- Tooth discolouration from white spot lesion
- Enamel demineralisation or erosion
- The colour of teeth with crowns, implants, or large fillings
- Severely coloured teeth with extensive staining
- Cases needing cosmetic procedures like veneers or full smile makeovers
Always ask your practitioner for a realistic expectation, especially if your colour of teeth varies across your complete tooth set.
Risks
Possible Side Effects of Teeth Whitening:
Tooth Sensitivity
- Often a temporary side effect due to exposed dentin
- More common with higher concentrations of carbamide peroxide
Gum Irritation
- If the gel contacts soft tissue
- Usually resolves in 24–48 hours
Over-Whitening (Aggressive Bleaching)
- Leads to enamel erosion, gum sensitivity, and brittle teeth
- Often seen in clients who misuse counter products or repeat treatments too frequently
Stick to professional advice, and don’t re-whiten too soon after a session —
especially if you’re experiencing temporary tooth sensitivity.
Cost
Treatment Costs for Teeth Whitening (AUD):
| Treatment Type | Average Cost (AUD) |
|---|---|
| In-chair whitening (with light) | $600 – $1,200 |
| Custom take-home whitening trays | $300 – $600 |
| Over-the-counter teeth whitening kits | $50 – $200 |
| Maintenance / Touch-up solutions | $100 – $250 |
Your perfect smile doesn’t come from a tube or blue light gimmick. It comes from choosing safe, effective treatment backed by science and professional guidance. Whether you go for chair treatment, custom-made trays, or a home-based whitening regimen, make sure your choices support your oral health long-term.
As a clean beauty advocate and cosmetic professional, I always remind clients: The best cosmetic treatment is one that enhances — not compromises — your natural features. A brighter smile should be safe, not just shiny.