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What is teeth whitening/bleaching?
August 12, 2025
What is teeth whitening/bleaching?

What is teeth whitening/bleaching?

Teeth whitening is a dental treatment that makes your teeth look brighter and lighter in colour. It doesn’t remove any part of your teeth but works by using special whitening gels (peroxide-based) to break down stains and discolouration on the outside and inside layers of the tooth.

 

What we use

Zoom teeth whitening by Philips

It is a popular in-office cosmetic dental procedure designed to brighten your smile fast, usually within a single visit.

How It Works

Zoom uses peroxide gel applied to your teeth and activated by a specialized LED or ultraviolet light to boost whitening results in about 45 minutes

Benefits

  • Immediate and dramatic whitening—some patients see teeth up to 6–10 shades lighter in one session.
  • High patient satisfaction when looking for fast cosmetic results.
  • More powerful and long-lasting compared to many at-home alternatives.

Common myths and misconceptions about Teeth whitening/bleaching

  1. Whitening damages enamel permanently

Myth: The bleaching chemicals “strip away” your enamel.

Truth: Professionally done whitening (including Zoom) uses special gels to break down stains, not enamel. Temporary sensitivity happens because special gels can dehydrate enamel slightly, but it remineralizes naturally within days.

  1. All teeth whiten to the same shade

Myth: Everyone can get a “Hollywood bright white” result.

Truth: Your final shade depends on your natural tooth colour, type of stains, age, and dental work. Yellowish stains respond best; grey or brown tones may lighten less.

  1. Whitening works on crowns, fillings, or veneers

Myth: The gel will brighten all dental materials.

Truth: Only natural tooth enamel lightens. Restorations will stay the same colour

  1. One treatment lasts forever

Myth: Once whitened, teeth stay white permanently.

Truth: Whitening is not a one-time lifetime fix. Stains from coffee, tea, smoking, and age will gradually reappear; maintenance treatments or touch-ups are needed.

  1. Over-the-counter whitening is just as good as in-office whitening.

Myth: Drugstore kits can match professional results.

Truth: At-home products are weaker (by regulation), work more slowly, and can give uneven results. Professional whitening uses stronger gels, custom application, and safety measures.

  1. Whitening makes teeth weaker

Myth: Frequent whitening thins or softens enamel.

Truth: When done properly and at safe intervals, whitening does not structurally weaken teeth. Overuse of harsh, unregulated products, however, can damage enamel.

  1. If your teeth are sensitive, you can’t whiten

Myth: Sensitive teeth can’t handle whitening.

Truth: Dentists can tailor whitening with desensitising agents, lower concentrations, or shorter sessions to make it safe and tolerable.

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