Teeth naturally yellow with age—the older a person gets, the darker their teeth tend to become. Their color is also affected by certain foods, medications, smoking, or chewing tobacco. Drinking tea (especially black and green) and coffee also plays a major role, as they are significant contributors to tooth discoloration. Irregular tooth brushing also contributes to unwanted discoloration, as plaque and tartar can build up on the teeth. Colored pigments tend to adhere much more to teeth with tartar or plaque than to naturally clean enamel.

Teeth whitening can be categorized into at-home and in-office treatments, and it comes in various forms—from whitening toothpastes and strips to solutions and gels. We strongly advise against using home whitening products that contain hydrogen peroxide or similar substances in concentrations higher than 0.1%. Products with a higher concentration (0.1% to 6% hydrogen peroxide) are suitable only for use under the supervision of a dentist.

Manufacturers are required to sell these products only to professionals who first examine the patient, then either perform in-office whitening or provide instructions for safe at-home use. Patients can complete the whitening cycle at home on their own. In-office whitening takes approximately one hour and can be repeated 1–3 times at weekly intervals, depending on the individual needs. At-home whitening is typically used for 1–4 weeks, with the whitening agent applied for 20 minutes to 4 hours per session. The whitening gel is applied into custom-made trays that are molded to fit the patient’s teeth precisely, ensuring that the whitening agent does not come into contact with the gums.

The laws of the European Union strictly regulate teeth whitening products for serious safety reasons. We strongly advise against using high-peroxide products from abroad (such as those from the USA or other non-EU countries). It has been found that such products can seriously damage the teeth. This includes not only permanent enamel damage, but also the death of the dental pulp, loss of tooth vitality, and even gum damage, which is very common. People often don’t realize that if a highly concentrated whitening agent comes into contact with the gums or the papilla (the gum between two teeth), it can quite literally burn the tissue. This can lead to redness, blackening, and in the worst cases, tissue necrosis. The use of such products is not safe.

It’s important to note that no whitening product will be effective on unclean teeth – that is, teeth covered with tartar and plaque. That’s why it’s essential to first visit a professional who will remove these deposits through dental hygiene treatment. Only when the tooth surface is clean can the whitening agent work evenly. Otherwise, the result may be patchy, and the teeth could end up looking worse. It’s also worth knowing that no whitening treatment should be used long-term. Teeth and enamel need a few months to rest and regenerate before continuing with any further whitening treatments. Even whitening toothpastes commonly available on the market should be used with caution—once you finish a tube, switch to a toothpaste without whitening effects before returning to another whitening product.

No, it is not. A patient should first undergo a dental examination to determine whether the procedure is suitable. Teeth whitening is not recommended for the following individuals:

• individuals under the age of 18,
• pregnant women,
• patients with active inflammatory conditions in the oral cavity, such as inflamed gums or periodontal diseases,
• individuals with untreated tooth decay, loose fillings, or exposed dentin (the layer directly beneath the enamel).

Whitening works on the enamel, and if the enamel is damaged, cracked, chipped, or worn down, the bleaching agent can penetrate directly into the dentin or even reach the dental pulp, which can be extremely painful. In severe cases, it may lead to irreversible damage to the living part of the tooth. Additionally, naturally yellow dentin may show through damaged enamel, and this layer cannot be whitened. A layperson often cannot determine whether this is the case, which is why professional evaluation is essential. Similarly, a person with exposed tooth necks (receding gums) is not a suitable candidate for whitening.

No, because everyone has a naturally different shade of enamel, the results of whitening will vary from person to person. In-office whitening can improve the shade by up to 6 levels. While it’s possible to achieve a very nice whitening result, it’s important to understand that the final shade will not be the same for everyone.

Teeth can be whitened to a bright Hollywood shade, but it doesn’t suit everyone. Key factors include skin tone, hair color, the whites of the eyes, lip color, and more. Additionally, in older age, snow-white teeth can often look unnatural.

During the whitening process and for at least two weeks afterward, it’s recommended to follow a so-called “white diet.” This means avoiding any foods and drinks that contain strong colorants—such as coffee, tea, cola, red wine, beetroot, spinach, curry spices, and more. Whitening causes the tooth to “open up,” and it remains temporarily more porous and susceptible to staining. The entire teeth whitening process shows that just as unwanted pigments can be drawn out of the enamel, they can also penetrate it much more easily after whitening. Give your teeth enough time to regenerate and re-mineralize. If you can’t give up coffee, we recommend drinking it through a straw and in smaller amounts to avoid unnecessarily swishing it around in your mouth.

At our clinic, we offer highly professional teeth whitening – both in-office and at-home options. We also provide special discounts for patients who have undergone orthodontic treatment with us.