Whitening

What you need to know

In the UK, tooth whitening is classed as dentistry and can only legally be carried out by a registered dental professional – the High Court confirmed this in 2013. The NHS says whitening kits bought online or from pharmacies, or treatment from places like beauty salons, don't work as well and may harm your teeth and gums.

Whitening toothpastes can help remove surface stains, but the Oral Health Foundation says shop-bought products usually don't change the natural colour of your teeth much. Whitening of any kind won't lighten crowns, veneers, fillings or dentures.

What to look for

1. Expect whitening toothpaste to tackle surface stains, not change your natural tooth colour.
2. For professional whitening, check the practitioner is on the GDC register.
3. Whitening isn't done for under-18s and isn't recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding, according to the NHS.
4. If you have sensitive teeth, ask your dentist before trying whitening products.
5. Cutting down on tea, coffee, red wine and smoking helps stains return more slowly.

Products to consider

Listed alphabetically, not ranked. Features are from the manufacturers’ UK websites. Some links may be affiliate links.