Teeth Whitening in Scarborough

The cost depends on whether you choose an in-office session, custom take-home trays, or both, and how much whitening you need. Professional whitening costs more than an over-the-counter kit but gives a more even, dentist-managed result. It's cosmetic, so it's usually not covered by insurance or CDCP. We'll tell you and give an exact written quote after your exam.

Whitening should not be painful, but some people feel temporary sensitivity, usually brief twinges with cold that settle within a day or two after finishing. Because we supervise the process, we can adjust the gel strength, space out sessions, or suggest a sensitivity toothpaste to keep you comfortable. If you already have sensitive teeth, tell us at the start so we can plan around it from the beginning.

Teeth typically lighten by several shades, but the exact result depends on your starting colour and the type of staining. Yellow stains respond well; grey or deeply discoloured teeth respond less. Whitening brings teeth to a natural bright shade rather than an artificial white. At your exam we look at your teeth and give you a realistic idea of the improvement you can expect before you begin.

Results usually last from several months to a couple of years, depending on your habits. Coffee, tea, red wine, dark sauces, and tobacco all shorten how long the brightness holds. Good daily cleaning and regular checkups help. With custom take-home trays you can do an occasional top-up to refresh the shade, which is one reason many patients prefer the tray option.

Professional whitening uses a stronger, better-controlled gel and is supervised by a dentist, so it tends to give a more even result and lets us manage sensitivity. Over-the-counter strips can help with mild surface stains but often whiten unevenly, especially around the edges of teeth. We also check first that your discolouration is something whitening can actually improve, which a store kit cannot do.

No. Whitening lightens natural tooth enamel but does not change the colour of fillings, crowns, or veneers. If you have visible dental work at the front of your mouth, whitening can make it stand out against your newly brighter teeth. We will point this out beforehand and can discuss options like replacing older restorations to match if that matters to you.

Yes, but for the first day or two it helps to avoid strongly coloured foods and drinks like coffee, tea, red wine, and dark sauces, since teeth can absorb stain more easily right after whitening. Sticking to lighter-coloured foods and rinsing with water afterward protects your fresh result. We will give you simple aftercare tips suited to the whitening method you choose.

Used properly, professional whitening does not damage enamel. The peroxide gel works on the stain molecules, not the structure of the tooth. Doing it under a dentist's supervision is safer than guessing with store products, because we protect your gums, use an appropriate strength, and watch for sensitivity. We also confirm your teeth and gums are healthy enough to whiten before we begin.

Temporary sensitivity happens because the whitening gel opens up tiny channels in the enamel for a short time, which can make teeth react to cold. It is common and usually fades within a day or two. Using a sensitivity toothpaste, avoiding very cold foods for a day, and spacing out sessions all help. If sensitivity is a concern for you, let us know so we can adjust the plan.

Most healthy adults can, but whitening is not right for everyone. It is not recommended during pregnancy, for very young patients, or for teeth with untreated decay or gum problems, which we address first. Deep grey staining, such as from certain medications, may not respond well. At your exam we check whether whitening suits your teeth and suggest alternatives like bonding or veneers if it does not.

Give yourself a little lead time. If you are whitening for a wedding or special occasion, starting a couple of weeks ahead lets us reach your target shade comfortably and lets any temporary sensitivity settle before the day. Rushing it at the last minute can leave teeth sensitive and the result uneven. Tell us the date and we will plan the timing so everything looks its best.

It depends on why the tooth is dark. A tooth that has darkened after an injury or root canal sometimes needs a different approach than standard whitening, and options like internal whitening, bonding, or a veneer may work better. Regular whitening lightens all the teeth together and may not even out one darker tooth. We will examine it and recommend the approach most likely to help.