Teeth whitening is one of the most common things patients ask us about — usually phrased as “Is it safe?” or “Do those strips from Boots actually work?”. Here’s a plain-English answer to both, plus an outline of how professional whitening works at Cardiff Dental.

Professional whitening uses a prescription-strength bleaching gel, applied via a custom-made tray fitted to your teeth. At Cardiff Dental we use Boutique Whitening, a UK-based professional take-home system chosen by many dental practices. After a consultation, we take a scan of your teeth, create your custom trays, and send you home with the gel and clear guidance on how to use it. Results build gradually over a couple of weeks.

Over-the-counter kits, by contrast, are limited by law to much lower concentrations of hydrogen peroxide (below 0.1% when sold direct to consumers in the UK). They’re safer at that level, but also slower, less consistent, and rarely enough to produce the brighter result most patients are looking for.

When it’s prescribed by a dentist and monitored, yes. The risks — short-lived sensitivity, minor gum irritation — are well understood and manageable. Before we fit trays, we check that the teeth we’re whitening are healthy (no untreated decay, no leaking fillings), assess your gums, and go through aftercare. If there’s anything that needs addressing first, we’ll say so — whitening is a cosmetic treatment, not a fix for underlying problems.

A few things worth knowing: existing crowns, veneers and fillings don’t whiten, so they can look darker relative to your natural teeth after treatment. If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, we advise delaying. And tooth whitening is strictly regulated in the UK — it must be carried out by, or under prescription from, a registered dental professional. If a beauty salon is offering whitening, walk away.

For most patients, Boutique Whitening results last six to twelve months before teeth start to darken again — largely because of diet, not because the treatment has “worn off”. Coffee, black tea, red wine, tomato-based sauces, turmeric and anything that stains a white shirt will gradually stain teeth too.

The practical way most patients maintain results is a short top-up course once a year, using the same custom trays. The trays are yours to keep, and top-up gel is kept at a modest fee so maintenance isn’t a barrier — the exact cost depends on the strength used, and we confirm it at your review.

Our Boutique Whitening course starts at a fixed fee, agreed in writing after your consultation. Top-up gel afterwards is charged separately and is deliberately kept affordable so maintenance isn’t a barrier. Full pricing and the consultation step are on the Teeth Whitening page.

A whitening consultation is the right first step — we’ll check suitability, take shade and sensitivity readings, and give you a written plan and fee. Book online, call us on 02920 229877 or send a message. If whitening is part of a broader plan (bonding, straightening, veneers), we’ll sequence the treatments so you get the best final result.