Frequently Asked Questions
How white will my teeth go?
The White House aims to always to achieve the best natural results, your teeth will go as white as they naturally can go, without looking fake white. Usually, we will get your teeth back to as white as they were when you were a teenager. The White House conducted a clinical study, carried out by our GDC registered dentists in the UK over a three month period recording the results from 178 patients. The results showed that 91% of all of these patients scored between 5 and 12 shades whiter after our 1-hour in-clinic teeth whitening treatment. For the 9% of patients that did not achieve these results, a 30 minute follow up appointment, which we provide free of charge achieved the desired results for most of them. The results are dependent on the type of staining and the mineral content contained within your teeth so results will, therefore, vary between individuals. We are so confident in our results that we have a full money-back guarantee, that we will achieve at least 5 shades whiter on the Vitapan Shade guide.
How long does it take?
The treatment itself takes about 45 minutes, but when you come in we will go through everything with you and do a small consultation to access suitability, so, it usually takes about an hour in total.
That is the complete treatment and you will see the results immediately after you have finished.
Will I feel pain or sensitivity?
Most clients experience no sensitivity at all. A small percentage of people with unusually sensitive teeth may notice mild, temporary sensitivity that typically subsides within a few hours. If you already know you have sensitive teeth, we recommend using a desensitising toothpaste (such as Sensodyne) twice daily for one to two weeks before your appointment — this can significantly reduce any discomfort.
How long do the results last?
Results typically last between one and two years, though this varies depending on lifestyle. Staining foods and drinks such as coffee, red wine, black tea, berries, and curries will cause your teeth to discolour faster. Smoking is also a significant factor. Using our home maintenance kit for 30 minutes every 3–4 weeks can extend your results up to two years. A professional top-up for €85 is always available when you feel you need it.
Is the process harmful to teeth?
No, our professional Teeth Whitening system has been proven to have no short or long-term negative effects on the enamel of teeth, on the dentin of teeth or the gums. In fact, it is specially formulated to improve general oral health while whitening.
I'm getting married, when should we get our teeth whitened?
Usually, a good time to come in and get your teeth whitened would be about 3 weeks before getting married.
If you wish to have them whitened sooner we would suggest to have them done and then use your free or discounted top-up again maybe a week before the wedding this way you will already know where we are and what to expect.
The top-up treatment only takes 20 minutes and we get very good results with this if you have had them whitened within the last 12 months.
Can I get my teeth whitened with crowns, veneers or false teeth?
The whitening treatment works on your natural tooth enamel only — it will not change the shade of crowns, veneers, or composite fillings. These restorations will, however, be cleaned and restored to their original manufactured colour. If you have crowns, veneers, or white fillings on your front teeth, whitening your natural teeth could brighten your natural teeth more depending on how old or what shade the crowns or veneers were put in. We always discuss this with you during your pre-treatment consultation so you can make an informed decision
Do I need to get a scale and polish before having my teeth whitened?
Although it is not necessary to have a scale and polish specifically prior to getting your teeth whitened, we would, of course, recommend your regular visits to the dentist so just go whenever you are due.
Any stains that have built up on the teeth will all be removed during the whitening treatment, but this is not a replacement for having a scale and polish as we only whiten about 18 front-facing teeth that are in the natural smile and we cannot remove any built-up plaque.
It would be necessary for you to have a scale and polish prior to having your teeth whitened if you have visible calculus (or tartar) built up on the outside of the teeth.
Other than that, just floss and brush on the day before coming in.
How soon can I get an appointment?
This is dependent on your own flexibility, we are open late nights on Thursdays and also open on Saturdays if you would like to reserve either of these times you would need to book in at least two weeks in advance.
If you are more flexible we might be able to fit you in within a couple of days notice.
Please contact 01-8904613 and one of our technicians will book you in on a day and time that suits you.
Who can't get their teeth whitened?
Although there are no known side effects The White House do not undergo the treatment if you are currently pregnant or breastfeeding or under the age of 18
What should I eat or drink after my treatment?
For the first 48 hours after your whitening treatment, we recommend following a ‘white diet’ — avoiding any food or drink that could stain a white shirt. During this period, the enamel pores are temporarily more open and your teeth are more susceptible to picking up stains.
Foods and drinks to avoid for 48 hours:
✔ Avoid: Coffee, tea, red wine, dark sodas and fruit juices
✔ Avoid: Berries, tomato sauce, soy sauce, balsamic vinegar
✔ Avoid: Curries, turmeric, and other heavily spiced dishes
✔ Avoid: Dark chocolate, beetroot, and artificially coloured sweets
Stick to white or light-coloured foods such as chicken, fish, pasta, rice, cauliflower, bananas, and white cheese. Water, milk, and clear liquids are all fine. After 48 hours you can return to your normal diet — just be mindful that frequent consumption of the above will shorten how long your results last.
How should I prepare for my appointment?
Preparation is simple and straightforward:
✔ Brush your teeth gently before arriving — this helps the whitening gel work more effectively on clean surfaces.
✔ If you have sensitive teeth, use a desensitising toothpaste such as Sensodyne for one to two weeks prior to your appointment.
✔ There is no need to get a scale and polish beforehand, though we recommend regular dental check-ups. If you have significant visible tartar build-up, a professional clean beforehand may improve your results.
✔ You can eat normally before your appointment
That’s it! Our qualified dentalprofessionals will take care of everything else on the day, including a pre-treatment consultation to make sure the treatment is right for you.
What’s the difference between in-clinic whitening and home kits or shop-bought products?
The key difference is the concentration of the whitening agent and who applies it. Professional in-clinic treatments use pharmaceutical-grade hydrogen peroxide at concentrations not available in over-the-counter products. Our system is activated with a specialist light source, allowing us to achieve results in a single one-hour session that simply cannot be replicated by home kits or supermarket strips.
Home whitening kits and shop-bought strips use much lower concentrations of whitening agents, which means results are slower, less dramatic, and less predictable. They also lack the protective gel barrier applied to your gums during a professional treatment, making gum irritation more likely.
Our treatment is also performed by fully qualified dental professionals with university training, ensuring your safety and the best possible outcome every time.
How often can I repeat the treatment?
You can safely repeat the in-clinic treatment as needed. Most clients find that their results last one to two years with normal care, and then return for a full treatment or a top-up.
For clients who consume a lot of coffee, tea, red wine, or who smoke, a top-up every 6 to 12 months is common. Our professional touch-up treatment is available from €85 and takes around 30 minutes.
In between visits, our home maintenance kit, used for 30 minutes every 3 to 4 weeks is the most effective way to keep your smile bright and extend the time between professional appointments.
I have fillings or composite bonding — can I still get whitened?
Yes, you can still have the treatment. However, it’s important to understand that the whitening gel only works on natural tooth enamel. Tooth-coloured (white composite) fillings, bonding, and veneers will not change shade, they will simply be cleaned and restored to their original colour.
If you have white composite fillings or bonding on your visible front teeth, whitening your natural teeth could result in a colour mismatch where the restorations appear darker or a different shade than your newly whitened teeth. We will always discuss this with you during your pre-treatment consultation so you can make a fully informed decision before going ahead.
Is the whitening gel safe for my gums?
Our professional whitening system has been clinically tested and proven to have no short or long-term negative effects on tooth enamel, dentine, or gum tissue. It has been voted the Dental Advisor’s Top Whitening System for ten consecutive years, and your safety is our absolute priority throughout.
Can I get whitened if I smoke?
Yes, smokers can absolutely have the treatment and often see excellent results. Nicotine and tar are among the most common causes of tooth discolouration, so smokers frequently notice a dramatic improvement after just one session.
That said, continued smoking will cause your teeth to discolour faster than average, meaning your results may not last as long as they would for a non-smoker. Regular top-ups every 6 to 12 months are recommended for smokers who want to maintain their smile. Our home maintenance kit can also help extend results between visits.
What whitening agent do you use, and is it safe?
- Our Dental professionals use specially formula teeth whitening gels which are EU compliant as per EU and Irish directive for cosmetic teeth whitening.
- The White House whitening gel is accelerated by the use of a combination of an LED and halogen cold filtered blue light system in three 10-15 minute sessions.
- This whitening gel is the safest professional teeth whitening system on the market today and used by dentists and cosmeticians through Europe.
- Ingredients are blended to a safe strength that still provides quality results with no hydrogen peroxide, chlorine dioxide or bleaching agents, this product will not cause any unwanted sensitivity, or damage the gums.
- The White House, teeth whitening gels have been tried and tested around the world with exceptional results.
- The White House has found this to be a superior product without the health risks associated with hydrogen peroxide-based gels, which is a safer option for our consumers, therefore, we opted to complete all teeth whitening treatments using this gel over all other whitening gels tested.
- Although there is no knows side effects we can not perform treatments while pregnant, breastfeeding or under the age of 18.
I have sensitive teeth — is the treatment suitable for me?
Many clients with sensitive teeth complete their treatment comfortably without any issues. Sensitivity to the whitening gel is not the same as everyday tooth sensitivity, and the vast majority of people — even those who consider their teeth sensitive — experience no discomfort during or after treatment.
To minimise any risk of sensitivity, we recommend:
✔ Using a desensitising toothpaste (such as Sensodyne) twice daily for one to two weeks before your appointment.
✔ Letting our practitioner know about your sensitivity during the pre-treatment consultation, they can adjust the approach if needed.
If you do experience any mild sensitivity after treatment, it is typically short-lived and subsides within a few hours. In rare cases involving unusually sensitive teeth or underlying dental conditions, mild sensitivity may last a little longer. Our team is always happy to advise you personally if you have concerns before booking.


