5 Important Tips For In Clinic Teeth Whitening (2025)

5 Tips for In-Clinic Teeth Whitening

A brighter smile can significantly boost your confidence.

You may have considered your options for teeth whitening and are now preparing to have your teeth whitened professionally with in-office teeth whitening.

Have you ever wondered what are some important things to know and if there are any preparations to be done before the visit to the dentist for professional in-clinic teeth whitening?

Here are 5 key tips to ensure a successful and satisfying whitening experience:

1. Professional Consultation is Paramount

Before any whitening procedure, a thorough consultation with a dentist is essential. The dentist will carry out an assessment to check if there is any pre-existing conditions, like tooth cavities, gum disease and root canal infection, etc, which should be addressed before the whitening appointment.

The above mentioned diseases, if left untreated before teeth whitening, may result in complications that require more complex treatments to resolve.

If a patient has concerns about teeth sensitivity, the dentist can advise if teeth whitening is still suitable and recommend the most appropriate whitening method.

2. Professional Dental Cleaning Prior to Whitening

A professional dental cleaning is a crucial step in preparing your teeth for whitening. The process of dental cleaning (scaling and polishing) removes plaque, tartar, and surface stains that can hinder the whitening process.

Clean teeth allow the whitening solution to penetrate the enamel evenly, leading to more consistent and effective results. This will maximize the effects of the whitening agents used in the in clinic whitening process.

As a rule of thumb, we would suggest a round of dental cleaning (scaling and polishing) to be done prior to in-clinic teeth whitening if the last cleaning was more than 6months ago. 

If the last dental cleaning was done recently, we would do a round of teeth polishing to remove any superficial stains just before teeth whitening.

3. Managing Sensitivity

Based on our experience, tooth sensitivity is a common concern during and after teeth whitening.

Using a desensitizing toothpaste (eg. Sensodyne or Colgate Pro-relief) a few weeks before the treatment can help minimize discomfort. 

We will also discuss with the patient to see if take home whitening or express teeth whitening may be a safer option in the event of teeth sensitivity.

4. Understanding the In-Clinic Whitening Process

In-clinic whitening typically involves the application of a high-concentration whitening gel, activated by a special light or laser. It typically takes about 45mins to 1hour for the actual whitening process.

At Gentle Smile Dental Studio, we believe your whitening experience should be like a visit to a spa. Aroma diffuser, snug blanket, noise cancelling headphone are some of the creature comforts we have curated for a pampering experience. 

We also have a ceiling mounted TV if you may want to catch up any Netflix show.

5. Post-Whitening Care and Maintenance

Congratulations, you have completed in-clinic teeth whitening. Is there anything you need to look out for?

For the next 24 hours, it will be advisable to avoid staining foods and beverages, such as coffee, tea, red wine, and dark-colored sauces(curry, soya sauce, tomato sauce). Some patients may experience some teeth sensitivity that typically last a day. 

If you are reading this after you have done your teeth whitening, it may be a bit too late. Some patients with fluorosis on the teeth may find their teeth are more patchy than before teeth whitening. The good news is that this is temporary and typically last a few days at most. 

We would usually recommend to have in office teeth whitening done at least a week before any important occasion/event. 

To increase the longevity of in-office teeth whitening, it’s crucial to practice good oral hygiene, including regular brushing and flossing.

Whitening toothpaste and mouthwash may have limited benefits. Most whitening toothpaste may have higher Relative Dentine Abrasivity (RDA), which can help to have initial whitening benefit but result in rougher teeth surfaces long term, which may pick up more stains.

Reducing the intake of staining foods and beverages help as well. Of course, regular dental check-ups and professional cleanings are also essential for long-lasting results.

You may refer to our teeth whitening page for more information.

By following these tips, you can achieve a radiant smile with in-clinic teeth whitening and enjoy the confidence that comes with it. Smile gently, with Gentle Smile.