Teeth Whitening Near MeProfessional Teeth Whitening in Central London

Teeth whitening is a cosmetic dental procedure that uses a bleaching agent to lighten the natural colour of your teeth. It does not remove any tooth surface. The active ingredient — either hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide — breaks down stain compounds within the enamel, gradually reducing discolouration.

In the UK, the use of whitening products containing more than 0.1% hydrogen peroxide is restricted to GDC registered dental professionals. This regulation exists to protect patients and ensure treatment is carried out safely. Products available over the counter are limited to 0.1% hydrogen peroxide, which is why they tend to produce more modest results.

The process begins with a dental assessment. Your dentist will check that your teeth and gums are healthy and discuss whether whitening is suitable for you. Whitening is not appropriate for everyone — for example, it is not recommended during pregnancy, for patients under 18, or where there is active gum disease or untreated decay.

If you are suitable, your dentist takes a digital scan or impression of your teeth. This is sent to a UK dental laboratory where custom-fitted whitening trays are made. When your trays are ready, you collect them along with the whitening gel and receive instructions on how to use them safely at home.

You apply a small amount of gel to the trays and wear them as directed — typically for a few hours during the day or overnight. Treatment usually takes one to two weeks, though your dentist will advise based on your individual needs.

Results vary between patients. The degree of lightening depends on the natural shade of your teeth, the type of staining, and how consistently the trays are worn. Teeth with yellow or surface staining from tea, coffee, red wine, or tobacco tend to respond well. Deeper, intrinsic discolouration — such as that caused by certain medications or developmental conditions — may show less improvement.

It is important to understand that whitening only affects natural tooth enamel. Existing restorations including crowns, veneers, bridges, and fillings will not change colour, which may result in a mismatch. Your dentist will discuss this with you before treatment begins.

Whitening results are not permanent. How long the effect lasts depends on your diet, lifestyle, and oral hygiene. Some patients maintain their results for over a year; others may notice gradual fading sooner. Top-up treatments using your existing trays are available.

When prescribed and supervised by a dentist, teeth whitening is a well-established procedure with a good safety profile. The most commonly reported side effect is temporary tooth sensitivity, which usually resolves within a few days of completing or pausing treatment. Our system includes a desensitising agent to help manage this.

Gum irritation can occasionally occur if gel comes into contact with the soft tissues. Custom-fitted trays are designed to minimise this risk by keeping the gel in contact with the tooth surfaces only.

We do not recommend whitening for patients who are pregnant or breastfeeding, patients under 18 years of age, or those with untreated dental disease. Your dentist will carry out a full assessment before prescribing any whitening treatment.

In the UK, it is illegal for anyone other than a GDC registered dentist, dental therapist, or dental hygienist (working to a dentist's prescription) to carry out teeth whitening. Treatments offered by beauty salons, mobile practitioners, or shopping centre kiosks may not comply with UK regulations and could put your oral health at risk.

Having your whitening supervised by a dentist means:

• A clinical assessment before treatment to check for decay, gum disease, or other conditions that should be addressed first
• Custom-made trays that fit your teeth, reducing the risk of gum irritation
• Whitening gel at concentrations that are both effective and within UK legal limits
• Professional advice on realistic expectations for your individual teeth
• Ongoing support if you experience sensitivity or have questions during treatment

We have two clinics in Central London. Both are registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and staffed by GDC registered dental professionals.

South Kensington
20 Old Brompton Road, London SW7 3DL
Near South Kensington Underground station

City of London
5 Ave Maria Lane, London EC4M 7AQ
Near St Paul's Underground station

To book a whitening consultation, you can use our online booking system or call 020 7183 3709. We will start with a check-up to make sure your teeth are healthy before discussing whitening options.