Professional Teeth Whitening · Smith's Wood · Castle Bromwich
A brighter smile, safely and professionally
Professional teeth whitening from our GDC-registered dental team — a safe, regulated way to lighten the natural colour of your teeth.
New patients welcome · GDC-registered dental team
Understanding the treatment
What is professional teeth whitening?
Teeth whitening is a cosmetic dental procedure that uses regulated bleaching agents to lighten the natural colour of your teeth. The active ingredient — hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide — penetrates the enamel to break down staining compounds and produce a lighter overall shade.
Professional whitening uses products that contain regulated concentrations of bleaching agents, prescribed and overseen by a dentist. This is fundamentally different from over-the-counter whitening toothpastes, strips, or products sold online, which either contain lower concentrations or, in some cases, unregulated substances that may cause harm.
At Castle Bromwich Dental Care, whitening treatment is only recommended following a clinical assessment to confirm your teeth and gums are healthy enough for treatment. We will always give you an honest assessment of what results may be achievable for you.
UK Regulation — Important
In the UK, the legal limit for hydrogen peroxide in tooth whitening products supplied to patients is 6%. Products containing more than 0.1% hydrogen peroxide may only be used by or under the prescription of a GDC-registered dentist. Products sold outside dental settings that exceed this are illegal and potentially dangerous. Castle Bromwich Dental Care uses only compliant, clinically approved whitening products.
Your whitening options
Treatment options we offer
We offer two main approaches to professional teeth whitening, which can be used individually or in combination depending on your teeth, timeline, and desired outcome. Your dentist will discuss which option is most appropriate for you.
Home whitening
Custom-fitted whitening trays are made from impressions of your teeth at the practice. You wear these at home with a prescribed whitening gel for a set period each day or overnight, typically over two to four weeks. Trays fit precisely to minimise gel contact with gums, treatment pace can be adjusted to your sensitivity, and trays can be kept for future top-ups.
In-practice whitening
A higher-concentration whitening gel is applied directly to the teeth in the practice under the supervision of your dentist. Typically completed in a single appointment of around one to two hours, with gum tissue carefully protected throughout. Often combined with home whitening for optimal results.
The degree of lightening achieved varies between patients. Results cannot be guaranteed and depend on the original shade and type of staining present. Tooth sensitivity following treatment is common and usually temporary.
Realistic expectations
What whitening will and won't change
Professional whitening can produce noticeable results for many patients with naturally discoloured teeth. However, whitening does not work on dental restorations such as crowns, veneers, bridges, or tooth-coloured fillings — these will remain their original shade.
Results vary significantly between individuals and are not permanent. We will discuss what may be achievable for you before you commit to treatment.
Suitability
Is teeth whitening right for you?
Professional whitening is suitable for many adults, but it is not appropriate for everyone. A clinical assessment is always required before treatment can be recommended.
Healthy teeth and gums
No active decay or gum disease. Any issues are treated first.
Natural discolouration
Yellowing due to food, drink, or ageing typically responds well.
Surface staining
Tea, coffee, red wine, or tobacco staining can often be lightened.
Realistic expectations
An honest understanding of the degree of change achievable for you.
Not during pregnancy
Whitening is not recommended during pregnancy or whilst breastfeeding.
Adults only
Professional whitening is only appropriate for patients aged 18 and over.
Whitening may have limited effect on tetracycline staining or fluorosis, and existing crowns, veneers, or fillings on front teeth may become more visibly mismatched. If treatment is not appropriate, we may discuss alternatives such as porcelain veneers or composite bonding.
The treatment journey
What to expect at Castle Bromwich Dental Care
From your first appointment to the end of your treatment, we will keep you fully informed at every stage. Your specific plan will depend on which option is most suitable for you.
Initial consultation & oral health assessment
Your dentist will examine your teeth and gums, review your dental history, and discuss your concerns. Any decay or gum disease must be treated before whitening can begin — see our dental hygiene page. We will be honest if whitening is unlikely to meet your expectations.
Shade recording & treatment planning
Your current tooth shade is recorded using a shade guide to provide an objective baseline. Your dentist will recommend the most appropriate whitening option and explain the expected outcome, duration, and costs.
Impressions for custom trays (home whitening)
If home whitening is recommended, precise impressions of your upper and lower teeth are taken so custom-fitted trays can be made. Trays are usually ready to collect within a few days. In-practice whitening does not require this step.
Whitening treatment
For home whitening, you will be given your trays, gel, and detailed written instructions. For in-practice whitening, your gums will be carefully protected before the gel is applied by your dental team.
Progress review
We may arrange a review to assess your progress, check for sensitivity, and compare your shade against the baseline. Adjustments to the plan can be made at this stage if needed.
Aftercare guidance & maintenance
Once complete, we will advise on how to maintain your results and discuss whether future top-up treatments may be appropriate. Whitening results are not permanent and will fade gradually over time.
Setting realistic expectations
What whitening can and cannot do
Teeth whitening is effective for many types of discolouration but has limitations. We will always be transparent about what is and is not achievable for you.
| Type of discolouration | Likely response | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Food & drink staining (tea, coffee, wine) | Generally responds well | Surface staining typically lightens effectively with professional treatment. |
| Age-related yellowing | Often responds well | Natural yellowing of enamel over time is one of the most common reasons patients seek whitening. |
| Tobacco staining | Variable response | Results can be achieved but may be less predictable; stopping smoking is strongly advised. |
| Tetracycline antibiotic staining | Limited effect | This intrinsic discolouration is often resistant to whitening; veneers may be more appropriate. |
| Fluorosis (white spots/mottling) | Variable & unpredictable | May improve background shade but can sometimes make white spots more noticeable. |
| Crowns, veneers, bridges, fillings | Does not whiten | Restorations will not change shade — a mismatch with natural teeth may become more apparent. |
| Single dark or non-vital tooth | Different approach needed | May require internal (walking) bleach by a dentist — external whitening alone is unlikely to be effective. |
Maintaining your results
How to care for your whitened teeth
Whitening results are not permanent. How long they last depends on your diet, lifestyle habits, and oral hygiene routine.
Avoid the "white diet" period
For 48 hours after whitening, avoid staining foods and drinks — tea, coffee, red wine, berries, tomato-based sauces, and dark sodas. Enamel is more porous immediately after treatment.
Maintain good oral hygiene
Brush twice daily with a fluoride toothpaste and floss regularly. A clean tooth surface is more resistant to staining.
Limit staining substances
Use a straw for cold drinks where possible and rinse with water after staining foods or drinks to slow restaining.
Avoid smoking
Tobacco rapidly reverses whitening results. Stopping smoking will help maintain your outcome and benefit your overall health.
Attend routine check-ups
Regular examinations and professional hygiene appointments help remove surface staining before it becomes embedded.
Consider periodic top-ups
If you retained your custom trays, periodic top-ups using prescribed gel from our practice can help maintain your results over time.
Tooth sensitivity is a common side effect of professional whitening and is usually temporary, resolving within a few days of completing treatment. Using a sensitivity toothpaste before and during treatment may help. If sensitivity is severe or persistent, stop treatment and contact us for advice.
Frequently asked questions
Explore more
Related treatments
Learn more about other treatments that patients often consider alongside this one.
Book your whitening consultation
Speak with our team for honest, professional advice on whether teeth whitening is right for you — with no obligation to proceed.
Castle Bromwich Dental Care · Castle Bromwich, Birmingham