Thinking about whitening your teeth before a wedding, holiday or special event?
Professional in-chair teeth whitening is one of the quickest ways to brighten your smile, but it’s not suitable for everyone.
The good news is that most healthy adults are eligible. However, there are a few situations where whitening may not be recommended, or where it’s best to wait until another dental issue has been treated first.
Here’s what you need to know before booking your appointment.
Who Is Eligible For In-Chair Teeth Whitening?
In general, you may be suitable for professional teeth whitening if you:
- Are 18 years or older
- Have healthy teeth and gums
- Have had a dental check-up within the last six months
- Don’t have untreated tooth decay or gum disease
- Want to brighten natural tooth enamel
If you’re unsure, don’t worry. At Urban Smile, we’ll ask a few questions about your dental health before proceeding with treatment.
Why Do I Need A Recent Dental Check-Up?
One of the most important parts of safe teeth whitening happens before the whitening even begins.
Professional whitening should only be carried out on healthy teeth and gums. If you have untreated decay, leaking fillings or active gum disease, the whitening gel can sometimes cause unnecessary discomfort or make existing problems worse.
That’s why we recommend seeing your regular dentist within the last six months before having your whitening treatment.
Your dentist can check that your mouth is healthy and let you know if there’s anything that should be treated first.
Once everything looks good, you’re usually ready to whiten with confidence.
When Isn’t Teeth Whitening Recommended?
There are some situations where professional teeth whitening isn’t recommended.
Pregnancy or breastfeeding
As a precaution, professional teeth whitening is generally not recommended during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
Although there isn’t strong evidence that whitening causes harm, there also isn’t enough research to confirm it’s completely safe during these stages.
Most people simply choose to wait until after pregnancy or breastfeeding has finished.
Active tooth decay or gum disease
If you currently have untreated cavities, inflamed gums or other active dental problems, these should be treated before whitening.
Healthy teeth respond better to whitening and are much less likely to experience sensitivity during treatment.
Veneers, crowns or composite bonding
Professional whitening only changes the colour of natural tooth enamel.
It won’t whiten:
- Veneers
- Crowns
- Composite bonding
- Tooth-coloured fillings
If you have restorations on your front teeth, whitening your natural teeth may create a colour mismatch.
If you’re unsure what type of dental work you have, we can help you understand what whitening is likely to achieve before you begin.
Significant tooth sensitivity
Some people naturally have more sensitive teeth than others.
Having sensitive teeth doesn’t automatically mean you can’t whiten, but it’s something we’ll discuss with you before treatment to help determine the most suitable option.
If you have a history of sensitivity, take-home teeth whitening may be a better choice. The whitening gel is a gentler formula that’s applied gradually over a longer period, making it a more comfortable option for many people with sensitive teeth while still delivering excellent results.
Read our guide on the differences between in-chair and take-home teeth whitening.
Will Whitening Work On Every Type Of Stain?
Professional whitening is very effective for many common causes of tooth staining, including:
- Coffee
- Tea
- Red wine
- Smoking stains
- Natural yellowing with age
However, some stains respond less predictably.
For example, staining caused by certain medications, tooth trauma or developmental conditions may not lighten as much as expected.
If that’s the case, we’ll discuss your options before treatment so you know what kind of result is realistic.
What Happens If I’m Not Eligible Right Now?
Not being suitable today doesn’t necessarily mean you can never whiten your teeth.
In many cases, it’s simply a matter of treating an underlying dental issue first.
For example, after having a cavity repaired or your gums treated by your dentist, you may become suitable for whitening.
Our goal is always to recommend what’s safest and most appropriate for your smile.
What Happens After In-Chair Teeth Whitening?
If you’re eligible for treatment, looking after your teeth afterwards can help you enjoy your brighter smile for longer.
For the first 48 hours, it’s important to avoid foods and drinks that can stain your teeth while the enamel is more susceptible to absorbing colour.
Learn more in our:
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I have teeth whitening with fillings?
Yes, but fillings won’t change colour during whitening. If they’re visible when you smile, they may no longer match your natural teeth afterwards.
Can I whiten my teeth if I have veneers?
You can, but only your natural teeth will whiten. Veneers stay the same shade.
Do I need a dental check-up before teeth whitening?
Yes. We recommend seeing your dentist within the last six months to make sure your teeth and gums are healthy before whitening.
Can I get teeth whitening while pregnant?
Professional teeth whitening is generally not recommended during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
Is professional teeth whitening safe?
When performed on healthy teeth and gums using professional products and appropriate screening, teeth whitening is considered a safe cosmetic dental treatment.
Ready To Brighten Your Smile?
If you’re wondering whether you’re eligible for professional in-chair teeth whitening, we’re here to help.
At Urban Smile, we’ll guide you through the process, discuss your dental history and make sure whitening is the right choice before treatment begins.
If it isn’t, we’ll explain why and what steps you can take to become eligible in the future.
A brighter smile starts with healthy teeth, and we’re here to help you achieve both. Book your teeth whitening appointment today.