Teeth Whitening in Leicester
Teeth whitening at Smile Serenity Dental Care in Leicester is dentist-prescribed and carried out to GDC rules. Coffee, tea and time all leave their mark on teeth. Professional whitening lifts that colour from inside the tooth, not just off the surface. It's prescribed by a dentist, fitted to your teeth, and done at home in trays made for you. Your first step is a free consultation at our Aylestone practice. We'll look at your teeth, explain the three systems we use, and tell you honestly whether whitening will give you the result you're hoping for.
Teeth whitening prices
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White Dental Beauty - £375
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Lumiwhite - £600 - B1 Vita Shade Guarantee
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Enlighten - £675 - B1 Vita Shade Guarantee
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Top-up gel from - £40
All systems include custom-made trays and a review appointment. Dental plan members get 10% off. 0% finance is available over 12 months through Chrysalis Finance.
Whitening has to go on healthy teeth, so you'll need a dental examination first: £70 for new patients, or included if you join our dental plan. If there's decay or gum inflammation, we treat that before we whiten. Gel on an untreated cavity is a quick route to real pain.
The better the custom fit of the whitening trays, the more effective the whitening result. This is what Lumiwhite and Enlighten do very well regarding their systems.
Why do teeth change colour?
Think of your tooth as a frosted window with a painted wall behind it. The enamel is the glass, and the dentine underneath is the wall. Some stains are dirt on the glass. Others are the colour of the wall itself showing through.
Surface (extrinsic) stains come from tea, coffee, red wine, curry and smoking. Pigments bind to the enamel surface. They respond well to whitening, and often a professional scale and polish removes a surprising amount on its own. That's why we usually suggest one before whitening.
Deep (intrinsic) stains sit inside the tooth. Certain antibiotics taken in childhood, too much fluoride while teeth were forming, and plain ageing all cause them. As enamel thins over the years, more of the naturally yellower dentine shows through. These stains can still lighten, but they need a longer course, and we'll be upfront if whitening alone won't get you there.
Not sure what's behind your staining? Our page on yellow and stained teeth goes into the causes in more detail.
How professional whitening works
We use hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide gels. Carbamide peroxide breaks down into hydrogen peroxide more slowly, which some patients find kinder on sensitive teeth. The gel passes through the enamel and releases oxygen, and that oxygen breaks apart the stain molecules sitting in the dentine. The tooth structure itself isn't changed. The colour molecules inside it are.
What happens, step by step
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Free whitening consultation. We discuss what you'd like, show you the systems, and explain realistic results for your teeth.
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Dental examination. This checks that your teeth and gums are healthy enough to whiten. It's £70, or included with the plan.
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Scan or impressions. We make whitening trays that fit your teeth exactly. The fit matters, because it keeps the gel on your teeth and off your gums.
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Fitting appointment. We show you how to load and wear the trays, and take a "before" photo against a shade guide.
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About two weeks of whitening at home, usually overnight.
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Review. We take an "after" photo so you can see the change for yourself.
Results vary from person to person. They depend on your starting shade, the type of staining and how consistently you wear the trays. B1 Vita shade is guaranteed with systems such as Enlighten and Lumiwhite.
Will it whiten my crowns, veneers or bonding?
No. Whitening gel only works on natural tooth. Crowns, veneers, white fillings and composite bonding stay the shade they were made in. If you're planning cosmetic work at the front, whiten first. That way your new restorations are matched to your brighter shade, not your old one.
Is teeth whitening safe?
When a dentist prescribes and supervises it, yes. In the UK, the General Dental Council only allows dentists, or hygienists and therapists working on a dentist's prescription, to provide tooth whitening. The law also caps the gel at 6% hydrogen peroxide and limits whitening to over-18s. Beauty salons and kiosks offering whitening are acting illegally. Shop-bought strips are legally limited to 0.1% hydrogen peroxide, which explains why they rarely do much more than polish the surface.
Sensitivity is the most common side effect. It usually passes within a day or two of stopping. The peroxide briefly irritates the tiny tubes running through the dentine towards the nerve. We can prescribe a desensitising gel or toothpaste to use before and during treatment. If you already have sensitive teeth, tell us at the consultation so we can plan around it.
Gum irritation is uncommon with well-fitting trays. If it happens, it's usually from overfilling the tray. We'll show you exactly how much gel to use.
Keeping your teeth white
Whitening isn't permanent, because the same tea and coffee keep doing their work. Most patients keep their results with a single top-up night every three to six months, using their existing trays and top-up gel from £40. Regular hygiene visits help too, as they remove new surface staining before it builds up. Drinking dark drinks through a straw helps, as does rinsing with water afterwards.
Frequently asked questions
How much does teeth whitening cost in Leicester?
Our systems range from £375 to £675, plus a dental examination (£70 for new patients, or included in our dental plan). The whitening consultation is free with a £20 refundable deposit to secure the appointment.
How long does it take?
Typically about two weeks of wearing trays at home, after an examination and a fitting appointment.
Does teeth whitening hurt?
It shouldn't. Some people get temporary sensitivity, which we can manage with desensitising products.
How long do results last?
With occasional top-ups, results can last for years. Without top-ups, they gradually fade, depending on your diet and habits. We recommend to do a top up for one night every 3-6 months.
Can I whiten my teeth if I'm under 18?
No. UK law restricts tooth whitening to over-18s, except where it's needed to treat or prevent disease.
Do I need a check-up first?
Yes. Whitening on teeth with decay or gum disease can cause pain and damage, so the dentist that is carrying out the teeth whitening also is the one who needs to examine first, to ensure it is safe to do so.
Book your free whitening consultation
Come and talk it through at our practice on 72A Lutterworth Road, Aylestone, near Fosse Park, with parking on site. There's no obligation to go ahead.
Written and clinically reviewed by Dr Ashwyn Roy , Principal Dentist, GDC 272634 - Last reviewed on the 27/09/2026
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