The colour of your teeth can be lightened with hydrogen peroxide (bleach), used either on the outside or the inside of your tooth or teeth.

What will my dentist do?

• The dentist may give you bleach jelly to use at home in a tray which fits closely round your teeth. The tray makes sure that the jelly does not burn your gums.

• A dental technician will make the tray for you to use for bleaching your teeth at home from an impression of your teeth that your dentist has made. Your dentist will check the tray fits and show you how to put the jelly in the tray at home.
  
  
• Your dentist will make a note of your tooth colour using model teeth in diffrent shades before they treat you. Look at the colour match yourself before the treatment so you can compare it with the colour after bleaching.

• Whitening improves the appearance of your teeth without removing any of the natural tooth surface. It is a better option than a crown or veneer if you want to lighten the colour of healthy teeth.

What are the potential problems?

• Your teeth may be sensitive to hot and cold food and drink for a few days after bleaching.