Teeth Whitening: What Actually Works (and What Doesn't)

Walk down any pharmacy aisle and you'll find a dozen products promising a brighter smile — charcoal powders, whitening pens, LED kits, strips. Some genuinely help. Others do very little beyond removing surface stains, and a few can actually damage your enamel over time.

Charcoal toothpaste is a good example of hype outpacing evidence. It can feel abrasive enough to lift some surface staining, but that same abrasiveness can wear down enamel with regular use — and enamel doesn't grow back.

Over-the-counter whitening strips use a lower concentration of peroxide than professional treatments, so results are real but modest, and can take weeks of consistent use. They're a reasonable option for very mild staining and a tight budget, but they can't match a supervised course of treatment.

Professional whitening — whether chairside or a custom take-home kit — uses a clinically controlled concentration of whitening gel, applied evenly with trays fitted to your teeth. It's simply more predictable, and your dentist will check first that whitening is appropriate for your teeth and gums.

Before whitening we always examine for decay, cracked fillings and gum inflammation. Treating those first protects you from sensitivity and uneven results. Temporary sensitivity during whitening is common and usually settles quickly; we'll advise on desensitising toothpaste if needed.

One thing no product can fix is whitening over existing crowns, veneers or fillings — these won't change colour, which can leave a mismatched smile if not planned properly. That's exactly the kind of thing worth discussing at a consultation before you start.