Teeth whitening: what works, what does not, and what to expect
Charcoal paste, chemist strips, in chair whitening and take home trays. An honest comparison of what each one really does.
Why teeth go darker
Two things happen. Surface staining builds up from tea, coffee, red wine, dark sauces and smoking. Underneath that, the enamel thins with age and lets more of the naturally yellow dentine below show through.
A clean fixes the first. Only whitening addresses the second, because it works inside the tooth rather than on it.
What does not work
Charcoal toothpaste
It is abrasive. Any brightening comes from scrubbing off the surface layer of the tooth, and enamel does not grow back. Over time abrasion exposes more dentine, which makes teeth look darker, not lighter.
Most chemist strips
The gel concentration available over the counter in Australia is low by law. Some people get a modest lift. Many get an uneven result, because the strip does not adapt to the shape of your teeth and misses the edges.
Whitening while there is decay
Gel reaching an untreated cavity or an exposed root is genuinely painful, and it will not improve the appearance. Get examined first.
What does work
In chair whitening
A high concentration gel applied by a clinician with your gums protected. You see the result the same day. Best when you have a date in mind and want a visible change now.
Custom take home trays
Trays moulded to your own teeth, so the gel sits exactly where it should. You wear them for a set period over a couple of weeks. The result is very even and the trays are reusable, so topping up later is easy and cheap.
Both together
Start in the chair for the jump, then hold and refine it at home. This is what most patients end up choosing.
Managing sensitivity
Short lived sensitivity is common and it is preventable. Desensitising treatment before and after, a slower schedule, and the right gel strength for your teeth all help. Tell us if you have had trouble before and we will plan around it.
What whitening will not change
Fillings, crowns and veneers do not whiten. If you have visible work at the front, we plan the order carefully, because matching new work to newly whitened teeth is much easier than the other way around.
