Teeth whitening in London, ON

Why whiten with a dentist instead of a kit?

Drugstore kits are one-size-fits-all; your teeth aren’t. Dentist-supervised whitening uses properly fitted trays and controlled concentrations, which means more even results and far less risk of sensitive teeth or irritated gums. We’ll also check first that staining isn’t a sign of something that needs treatment.

What to expect

• A quick assessment — we confirm whitening is right for you and set realistic expectations for your shade.
• Your whitening plan — options tailored to your goals, timeline, and sensitivity level.
• Aftercare that lasts — simple habits to keep results bright longer.

Good to know

Whitening works on natural tooth and nothing else. Crowns, veneers, bonding and fillings will not change shade, so if you have visible dental work, whitening the teeth around it can leave it standing out rather than blending in. That is not a reason to avoid whitening — it is a reason to plan the order properly, and occasionally to replace a front filling afterwards so it matches the new shade.

Not all discolouration responds the same way, either. Staining from tea, coffee, red wine and tobacco sits on the surface and generally lifts well. Discolouration from inside the tooth — after an injury, or from certain medications taken in childhood — behaves differently and sometimes needs a different approach altogether. We can usually tell which you have by looking.

Sensitivity, honestly

Some sensitivity during whitening is common and it is temporary. It usually shows up as short, sharp twinges with cold, and it settles within a day or two of finishing. It is not a sign of damage.

Because we fit the trays and control the concentration, we can also manage it: slowing the schedule, shortening each session, or building in rest days usually solves it. Tell us if you have sensitive teeth before we start rather than pushing through — there is almost always a gentler route to the same result.

Making it last

Whitening is not permanent, and how long it holds depends mostly on what you drink. Tea, coffee and red wine are the usual culprits, and the first couple of days after whitening are when teeth pick up new stain most easily — so it is worth being careful with them during that window specifically.

A regular cleaning removes surface stain and does a surprising amount of the work on its own, which is why we often suggest starting there before deciding whether you need whitening at all.

Cost and insurance

Whitening is an elective cosmetic treatment, so most insurance plans do not cover it — including the Canadian Dental Care Plan, which covers necessary care rather than cosmetic. We will be upfront about that rather than let you find out at the desk, and you will have your options and costs in writing before you commit.

Common questions

How much whiter will my teeth get?

It depends on where you are starting and what is causing the discolouration, so we will not promise you a number of shades. What we will do at the assessment is look at your teeth and give you a realistic picture of what to expect — including telling you if we think the result will disappoint you, which is more useful than selling you the treatment anyway.

Is whitening bad for my enamel?

Dentist-supervised whitening at controlled concentrations is not damaging to enamel. The risks worth knowing about are temporary sensitivity and gum irritation, and both are largely managed by properly fitted trays that keep the gel on the teeth and off the gums — which is precisely what an off-the-shelf kit cannot do.

Why not just buy a whitening kit?

You can, and for light surface staining some people are happy with the result. The differences are fit and assessment. A one-size tray leaks gel onto the gums and does not hold it evenly against every tooth, which is where patchy results and irritation come from. And a kit cannot tell you that the dark tooth you are trying to whiten is dark because it needs treatment.

Can I whiten if I have crowns or fillings at the front?

Yes, but the dental work will not change colour, so it may end up looking darker against the newly whitened teeth around it. The usual approach is to whiten first, let the shade settle, then replace any visible dental work to match. We will flag this at the assessment so it is part of your decision rather than a surprise afterwards.

How long will it last?

Not permanently — teeth gradually pick up stain again, and how quickly depends mostly on tea, coffee, red wine and smoking. Many people top up occasionally rather than repeat the whole process. If you keep your trays, topping up is straightforward and inexpensive.