Firstly your dentist will need to check your teeth and gums are healthy. If you have decayed teeth or gum disease this will need to be treated first before starting whitening.

You will need to have a mould (impression) taken of your teeth. At your second appointment, your dentist will fit your custom made trays and give you the whitening gels to use at home.

This needs to be used as instructed by your dentist.

Most people tend to wear their trays overnight, but it can be worn during the day if it suits your routine better.

It needs to be worn for at least 2-3 hours per day.

You could start to see a difference after just 3 days, but normally 2-3 weeks before you will see the full effects.

Treatment can be stopped as soon as you have reached the desired shade.

Yes, if carried out by a trained dental professional. Whitening uses a peroxide-based gel to lighten the teeth. When these chemicals break down, they release oxygen. This gets into the hard, outer surface of your teeth (the enamel) and whitens them.

It is a safe procedure if treatment is carried out by a dental professional who is registered with the General Dental Council. This way you can guarantee the products you are using are safe and legal.

No it doesn’t hurt, but it’s common to experience some mild sensitivity during treatment.

High quality whitening products used by dentists come with an anti-sensitivity ingredients incorporated into their gels, to avoid this happening. In extreme cases you may need to use a sensitive toothpaste, but always get in touch with your dentist first for advice.