What types of teeth whitening are available?

Comparing whitening types

The main teeth whitening options available to UK patients fall into three categories: professional in-chair whitening carried out at a dental practice, dentist-supervised home whitening using custom trays and prescription-strength gel, and over-the-counter (OTC) products including strips, pens, and whitening toothpastes.

Professional in-chair whitening (sometimes called laser or light-activated whitening) uses a high-concentration bleaching gel applied directly to the teeth, often activated by a light or laser to accelerate the reaction. Results are visible immediately after a single appointment, typically lasting one to two hours. The higher concentration of active ingredient provides more dramatic results than at-home options.

Dentist-supervised home whitening uses custom-made trays that fit precisely over your teeth, ensuring even coverage and preventing the gel from contacting your gums. The gel is applied to the trays and worn for a prescribed time each day, typically one to two hours or overnight. The whitening process takes approximately one to two weeks. The trays can be reused for future top-up treatments.

Over-the-counter whitening products, including strips and pens, contain much lower concentrations of active whitening ingredient than professional treatments, as they are sold without a prescription. They can remove surface staining but are unlikely to produce the same degree of intrinsic colour change as professional options. Whitening toothpastes work through mild abrasion rather than bleaching.

UK regulations require that whitening products containing more than 0.1% hydrogen peroxide can only be applied by a registered dental professional. This means that beauty salons and non-dental clinics offering whitening above this threshold are acting illegally. Always check that your whitening provider is registered with the General Dental Council.

The best whitening type for you depends on how quickly you want results, your budget, your sensitivity level, and what your dentist recommends. A dental consultation before whitening is important to assess whether you are a suitable candidate and whether any existing restorations might affect the outcome.