Teeth whitening at the dentist
Teeth whitening is a treatment in which discoloured teeth are made several shades whiter with a professional whitening agent (based on hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide). At Tandartspraktijk Voorschoten this is done safely: we first check your teeth and gums, choose the method that suits you and guide the whole process. The result is a radiant, natural smile — without damage to enamel or gums.
A white, radiant smile is something we all want. But the market is crowded, and not everything called “whitening” is safe or effective. Below is an honest overview: what works, what is legal, and what to watch out for.
Why whiten at the dentist — and not in a salon?
Effective whitening is legally reserved for dentists in Europe, and that is no coincidence. The European Cosmetics Regulation (EU Regulation 1223/2009) allows freely sold and salon products a maximum of 0.1% hydrogen peroxide — too little for a real whitening effect. Whitening agents between 0.1% and 6% may only be used by, or under the direct supervision of, a dentist, after a dental examination.
That rule exists to protect you. Whitening teeth with cavities, leaking fillings or inflamed gums can be painful and cause damage; a dentist rules that out beforehand. If a salon or studio promises visible results at a strikingly low price, something is happening there that does not comply with the law — without a dental check, without supervision and without a safety net if things go wrong.
At the dentist you get the opposite: an examined mouth, professional agents in the right concentration, protected gums and a point of contact if you experience any discomfort.
Home whitening: via the dentist or over the counter?
Safe home whitening exists — via the dentist. You receive custom-made whitening trays (thin, precisely fitting moulds of your teeth) with professional whitening gel and clear instructions on wear time and duration. Because the trays fit exactly, the gel stays where it belongs: on the teeth, not on your gums. For many patients this is the most comfortable method — whitening at your own pace with professional results.
Freely available whitening strips, pens and gels from the drugstore or web shops legally contain at most 0.1% hydrogen peroxide. Do not expect miracles: the effect is minimal and short-lived at best, and ill-fitting one-size strips put gel on your gums too. “Peroxide-free” alternatives and home remedies (baking soda, lemon, charcoal) do not truly whiten — they abrade or etch, and that costs enamel.
Our honest advice: if you want visible, safe results, whiten via the practice — in the chair, at home with custom trays, or a combination.
Internal and external whitening
External whitening is the familiar form: the whitening agent works from the outside on the visible tooth surfaces and tackles discolouration from coffee, tea, wine, smoking and age. It can be done in the practice or at home with custom trays.
Internal whitening is the solution for a single dark tooth discoloured from within, for example after a root canal treatment. The whitening agent is placed inside the tooth, which then lightens from the inside out. This prevents one dark tooth from defining your whole smile — without a crown or veneer.
Which form (or combination) suits you follows from the check-up beforehand: the cause of the discolouration determines the treatment.
The treatment step by step
- Check-up and advice. We examine teeth and gums, identify the cause of the discolouration and discuss what result is realistic. Cavities or gum problems are treated first — whitening comes after.
- Professional cleaning beforehand. Plaque and tartar block whitening agents; a professional cleaning ensures the agent works evenly everywhere.
- The whitening. In the practice we protect your gums and apply the professional whitening agent; if you choose home whitening, we make your custom trays and provide gel and instructions.
- Result check. We assess colour and sensitivity and advise on maintenance. Fillings or veneers that now stand out can be matched to the new shade.
Downsides and sensitivity: the honest story
Teeth whitening is safe, but not without points of attention — and you hear them from us in advance:
- Temporary sensitivity. Sensitive teeth or irritated gums during and shortly after whitening can occur and usually subside within 1 to 3 days. We adjust concentration and wear time accordingly.
- The result is not permanent. Teeth discolour again through coffee, tea, wine and smoking. Count on 1 to 3 years of pleasure from the result, with an occasional top-up.
- Fillings, crowns and veneers do not whiten. If there is visible dental work in the zone you want to whiten, we discuss beforehand how to make everything match again.
- Not for everyone. Effective whitening is not legally permitted under 18, and we advise restraint during pregnancy and breastfeeding. For serious enamel defects we first look at a more suitable solution, such as a veneer.
How long does the result last — and how do you keep it white?
On average, whitened teeth stay visibly whiter for 1 to 3 years. Exactly how long is largely up to you. Brush twice a day, clean between the teeth daily and have staining professionally removed periodically by the dental hygienist. Go easy on staining drinks (or use a straw), and know that smoking is the biggest culprit. If you have home whitening trays, refreshing is easy: a short wearing period brings the colour back up.
What does teeth whitening cost?
The cost depends on the method (whitening in the practice, a home whitening set with custom trays, or internal whitening of a single tooth) and on your starting situation. Dental tariffs in the Netherlands are nationally regulated (NZa tariffs), so you do not pay different rates with us than elsewhere — the difference is the care around it. You always receive a clear estimate in advance. Teeth whitening is a cosmetic treatment and falls outside the basic insurance; some supplementary policies reimburse part of it.
Beware of “cheap whitening” outside the dental practice: without a dental check and with non-permitted products, cheap often turns out expensive.
Teeth whitening in Voorschoten — English-speaking dental care
Would you like to have your teeth whitened in Voorschoten? At Tandartspraktijk Voorschoten at Schoolstraat 69 we whiten safely, honestly and with an eye for a natural result — also for patients from Leiden, Wassenaar, Leidschendam-Voorburg and The Hague, minutes away from our practice in the centre of Voorschoten. Our team is happy to help you in English.
We are accepting new patients: you can register easily online. Want to know first what is possible in your situation? Contact us — we are happy to advise you, even when the honest advice is that whitening is not (yet) needed.
