Surface stain
Pigments from coffee, tea, red wine, tobacco, plaque and other sources can collect on the enamel surface.
Winnipeg North Dental Family Dentistry
Teeth Whitening
Brighten your smile with a whitening plan supervised by a dental team.
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Professional teeth whitening
The right whitening plan starts with why your teeth look darker.
Professional whitening uses peroxide-based gel to lighten colour within natural tooth structure. It can improve many changes associated with age, foods, drinks or tobacco, but the response depends on where the colour sits and what caused it.
Before recommending a system, we examine your teeth and gums, identify restorations that will not whiten and consider any history of sensitivity. That gives us a safer starting point and a more realistic shade goal.
Where colour can begin
Not every dark tooth needs the same solution.
Whitening is most useful when the source of discolouration can respond to peroxide. Other findings may need cleaning, restoration or a separate dental assessment first.
Colour within the tooth
Natural tooth colour can deepen with age, and some discolouration develops within enamel or dentin rather than on top of it.
One tooth looks different
A single dark tooth may be related to trauma, decay, a large restoration or changes inside the tooth and should be diagnosed separately.
What changes—and what does not
Whitening lightens natural teeth, not restorations.
Crowns, veneers, fillings, bonding and implant crowns keep their existing colour. If they show when you smile, whitening can create a mismatch that may require separate planning.
Natural enamel and dentin
✓ Age-related darkening
✓ Food and beverage pigments
✓ Selected tobacco staining
✓ Some internal discolouration
Dental materials
— Composite fillings
— Dental bonding
— Crowns and bridges
— Porcelain veneers
Before whitening
Make sure the smile is ready to brighten.
Whitening gel can aggravate untreated sensitivity and will not solve colour caused by every dental condition. We address health first so an elective treatment does not hide a problem.
Check teeth and gums
Cavities, cracks, leaking restorations, recession and inflammation may need care first.
Record the starting shade
A baseline helps us discuss realistic change rather than promise a particular shade.
Map visible dental work
We identify restorations that may no longer blend after natural teeth lighten.
Review sensitivity
Previous reactions, exposed roots and product strength influence the protocol.
Two supervised pathways
Choose speed, control—or a combination.
The right system depends on your starting colour, schedule, sensitivity and ability to follow instructions. Stronger does not automatically mean better.
In-office whitening
A concentrated appointment.
Gel is carefully applied while the gums and soft tissues are protected. Shade change is evaluated during the visit, and treatment can be adjusted if sensitivity develops.
Custom take-home trays
A gradual, flexible approach.
Custom trays hold prescribed gel around the teeth for a directed amount of time. Progress occurs over multiple applications, giving more control over pacing.
Sensitivity plan
Temporary sensitivity is common—not something to ignore.
Whitening-related sensitivity is often short-lived, but the intensity varies. We may adjust gel concentration, contact time or treatment frequency and recommend suitable desensitizing products.
Pause when directed
Do not add extra gel
Report sharp or lingering pain
Teeth whitening FAQs
Clear expectations before choosing a shade.
How white will my teeth become?+
Response depends on the starting colour, stain type, tooth structure and protocol. We can discuss a realistic range, but no responsible plan can promise an exact shade.
Will whitening damage enamel?+
Dentist-supervised peroxide whitening is planned around your oral health and product instructions. Overuse or unapproved products can increase irritation and sensitivity.
How long will the result last?+
Whitening is not permanent. Coffee, tea, red wine, tobacco, plaque and natural aging affect how quickly colour returns. Occasional touch-ups may be appropriate.
Can I whiten if I have sensitive teeth?+
Possibly. The cause and severity should be assessed first. A lower-strength or slower protocol may be more comfortable, while some conditions need treatment before whitening.
Should I whiten before veneers or bonding?+
Often, yes. Natural teeth can be whitened first, allowed time for colour to settle, and then restorative materials can be matched to the new shade.
Why is one tooth darker than the others?+
A single dark tooth may have a different cause from general staining and should be examined. It may need a restoration, internal whitening or another treatment rather than full-smile whitening.
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