Teeth whitening in Cheltenham

What is professional teeth whitening?

Professional teeth whitening uses a peroxide-based gel, supplied and supervised by a dentist, to lighten stains that build up on and within the enamel from food, drink, smoking and age. Because it is dentist-led, your teeth and gums are examined first to confirm the discolouration will respond and to rule out decay or gum problems. The gel is stronger and better controlled than supermarket kits, and the shade change is gradual and monitored.

How does custom take-home whitening work?

Our whitening is dentist-supervised and done with custom take-home trays. We take a mould of your teeth and make trays that fit precisely, so the professional gel sits evenly and away from your gums. You wear them at home over a couple of weeks and whiten at your own pace, while we guide the gel strength and wear time to suit your teeth and your sensitivity.

Why choose dentist-supervised whitening over the counter?

Over-the-counter strips, pens and one-size trays are not fitted to your mouth, so gel can leak onto the gums and cause irritation, and they cannot tell why a tooth is dark. Some discolouration comes from an old filling, a crown or a tooth that needs treatment, and whitening will not change those. A dentist checks the cause first, uses trays made for your teeth, and monitors the result so it is even and safe.

What to expect during whitening

1. Assessment. We examine your teeth and gums, check the cause of the discolouration and confirm whitening is suitable for you.
2. Clean and record. A clean and a starting shade record help the gel work evenly and let us track the change.
3. Whitening. You whiten at home with your custom trays and professional gel, at your own pace.
4. Review and maintain. We check the result, manage any sensitivity and can supply top-up gel for your trays.

Managing sensitivity and looking after your result

Some people feel temporary cold sensitivity during whitening, which usually settles within a day or two after treatment stops. Because your whitening is supervised, we can adjust the gel strength or wear time and recommend a desensitising toothpaste to keep you comfortable. Results depend on your diet and habits — coffee, tea, red wine and smoking cause teeth to darken again — so occasional top-up gel in your custom trays helps keep the result looking fresh.