Dental aesthetics in the south of Tenerife
Teeth whitening in Los Cristianos, with assessment and follow-up
Few things have as much misleading advertising around them as teeth whitening: magic lamps, internet kits, beauty centres. Here you will find the opposite: what the evidence says, what European law permits, and what guidelines we would give you — whether you decide to do it or not.
Treatments with flexible financing — detailed conditions in writing at the clinic.
- Only under dentist supervision, as required by law
- Custom trays
- We serve in Spanish and English
Quick summary
The most important thing before deciding
- What it does: Peroxide penetrates the enamel and breaks down pigment molecules. Chemistry, not a miracle.
- What it doesn't do: It does not whiten crowns, veneers, or fillings. If you have them, the order of the plan matters.
- The LED lamp: The evidence says that light does not improve the outcome. We tell you about it below with the sources.
- Sensitivity: the real side effect. Transient and manageable with the proper regimen.
How teeth whitening really works
The active ingredient is peroxide (of hydrogen, or of carbamide which transforms into it). Its molecules cross the enamel and they break down dark pigments accumulated inside the tooth in smaller fragments that reflect light differently. The tooth is not "painted" white: it is cleaned from the inside.
That is why it works on the intrinsic tooth stains — coffee, tea, wine, tobacco, and the natural yellowing of age — and that is why there are stains that respond worse: deep stains such as those caused by tetracyclines (an antibiotic that marked an entire generation) can be lightened, but they require longer regimens and realistic expectations, which we will explain to you before starting.
And there is a logical consequence that almost no advertising mentions: peroxide acts on natural enamel. On porcelain and composite, nothing. We will come back to that, because it changes the order of any aesthetic plan.
What no ad tells you
The European peroxide law, explained in one minute
In Spain and throughout the EU, the concentration of hydrogen peroxide determines who can whiten your teeth. It is written in the cosmetics regulations (transposed in Order SSI/2260/2012), and it is as clear as that:
- Up to 0.1 %: over-the-counter. It is what "whitening" toothpastes and supermarket kits contain. The General Council of Dentists describes their effectiveness as "virtually nonexistent".
- From 0.1 % to 6 %: exclusive sale to dentists. The first application of each cycle must be done by a dentist or under their direct supervision, after confirming that your mouth is healthy.
- More than 6 %: it's not even a cosmetic anymore — it requires specific health authorisation.
- Under 18 years of age: prohibited, without exceptions.
That explains the beauty salon or the hair salon what teeth whitening offers: legally you can only use over-the-counter products — which have "practically zero" effectiveness. So there are two options: Either it doesn't work, or someone is using a product they shouldn't have. There is no third one.
And the internet kits with high percentages? Products that cannot be legally sold to the public in the EU, applied without anyone checking beforehand if you have a cavity or inflamed gums where the gel will actually cause harm. Being cheap comes at a high price.
In-office or at-home teeth whitening: differences and aftercare
Both ways work, and the evidence says something uncomfortable for advertising: well done, they achieve comparable results. They differ in the path.
| Appearance | At the clinic | At home, with custom trays |
|---|---|---|
| What is it like | Higher concentration gel applied by the dentist, in one or a few sessions | Trays made over the mould of your teeth + moderate concentration gel, 1–3 weeks with instructions |
| Speed | Faster visible results | Progressive, you control the rhythm |
| Sensitivity | More frequent due to the higher concentration | Less frequent; the dosage is adjusted if it appears |
| Role of the dentist | Direct application | Prior review, trays, legal gel, and follow-up — the standard requires it |
| Ideal for | For anyone who wants a fast initial boost | Most of the cases; and the trays are left for future touch-ups |
In many cases the best protocol is Dealclinic start and home maintenance. We decide it with you after the check-up — never by catalogue.
Evidence, not props
What does the LED lamp really bring to the table?
It is the star of advertising and social media posturing: blue light, glasses, the photo. Scientific evidence says otherwise. A 2026 review of reviews —which analysed 24 systematic reviews, including those of the highest methodological quality—concludes that activating the gel with light does not improve the colour change, regardless of the concentration. Some laser protocols, in addition, are associated with more sensitivity, no less.
That same body of evidence leaves another useful fact: lower concentrations achieve the same final colour with less sensitivity — they just take a little longer. It's the exact opposite of the "louder and brighter, the better" speech.
That is why the protocol here is chosen by chemistry and the tray, not for the show. If the evidence ever changes—there is an open line of research using violet light—we will change the protocol. In the meantime, you can save yourself what a clinic charges you for a "state-of-the-art lamp".
Sensitivity: the real side effect, and how it is managed
The honest thing is to say it straight: a significant proportion of patients notice sensitivity to cold during bleaching. It is the typical side effect, it is temporary — it disappears when finishing or pausing — and it does not mean the enamel is being damaged: peroxide at legal doses, with supervision, does not "wear down" the tooth.
It is handled with guidelines, not heroism: space out applications, lower concentration, potassium nitrate gels and, if necessary, pause for a few days. It is one of the reasons the law requires supervision by a dentist: the difference between fleeting discomfort and an avoidable bad time is, almost always, a properly adjusted schedule in time.
And there is a cause of sensitivity that no internet kit tests for: an open cavity or a recessed gum where the gel reaches the dentin. That is why the prior check-up is not a formality: it is the step that turns whitening into a boring and predictable treatment. Boring is good.
What teeth whitening doesn't whiten (and how to plan around it)
Peroxide does not act on crowns, veneers, or composite fillingsThey will keep their original colour while your natural teeth lighten. Poorly planned, the result is a filling that went unnoticed before and now looks dark on the front line.
The solution is a matter of orderfirst it is bleached, the shade is left to stabilise for a couple of weeks, and after visible restorations are renewed or adjusted to the new colour. If you are thinking of veneers, this rule is directly the first step of the plan: the shade of the veneer is chosen with your teeth already whitened, because the veneer is not bleached afterwards. The same goes for bondingThe composite doesn't whiten either.
And the teeth with root canal treatment what has caused them to darken? They have their own technique (internal bleaching, from inside the tooth) — it is evaluated separately during the consultation.
Are you wearing aligners? You are halfway to winning
If you are undergoing treatment with Invisalign with the shape memory aligners, you already have something very similar to a custom-made whitening tray in your mouth. With the right instructions, the aligners themselves can serve as a vehicle for the gel — without manufacturing anything new.
And at the end of the orthodontic treatment, the retainers They play the same role for touch-ups. It's one of those cases where doing things in the right order is literally cheaper: align, whiten with what you already have, and only then decide if anything else is needed.
Important: always use the gel and schedule indicated by us. The aligner material and the timing of the treatment matter, and it is a clinical decision, not a YouTube tutorial.
How long does the result last?
It depends less on the product and more on your lifecoffee, tea, red wine and tobacco are regaining ground. As an honest guide, the result is enjoyed from one to three years, and with the trays put away, a short touch-up at home every now and then you keep it without repeating the full treatment.
No serious person can promise you "X shades" or an exact timeframe: the starting point of every enamel is different. What we do is measure your initial shade with a guide and a photo, set realistic expectations with you right there, and check the result together. Numbers up front, smoke out.
Transparency
How much does teeth whitening cost?
Teeth whitening
From €175
The final price depends on the protocol indicated after reviewing gums, sensitivity, restorations, and the origin of the colour change.
Indicative price. The final quotation depends on the clinical evaluation and is provided in writing before starting treatment.
Beware of comparing prices for different things: a 30-minute "lamp session" is not the same as a complete protocol with an examination, custom trays, legal gel, and follow-up. The first is an event; the second, a treatment.
What a whitening quotation here always includes
- The preliminary review: without a healthy mouth there is no whitening
- The shade measurement initial and the agreed-upon expectation
- The custom trays — which also leave you for touch-ups
- The Cool, legal with your written guidelines
- The Follow-upadjusting the schedule if there is sensitivity is part of the treatment
Fixed price quote in writing on the first visit. Flexible financing available; details provided at the clinic.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions about teeth whitening
Does whitening damage enamel?
At legal and supervised concentrations, no: peroxide breaks down pigments, it does not wear away enamel. The real risk lies in illegal, high-concentration products used without prior examination for cavities or damaged gums.
How many shades lighter will I go?
No honest person can promise you a number: it depends on your starting point and the type of staining on your enamel. What we do is measure your shade with a guide before starting, agree on a realistic expectation, and check the result together.
Will I feel any sensitivity?
It is possible, especially with cold, and it is temporary. It is managed by adjusting the regimen: spacing out applications, lowering the concentration, or using desensitising gels. If it appears, it is adjusted—it is part of the included follow-up.
Do whitening toothpastes and activated charcoal work?
Over-the-counter toothpastes can contain up to 0.1 % of peroxide—a concentration described as having "virtually no" effectiveness. They can polish away surface stains; they do not change the colour of the tooth. Activated charcoal, moreover, is abrasive: in the long run, it can be counterproductive.
What about internet kits or teeth whitening at a beauty salon?
An aesthetic centre can only legally use over-the-counter products (the ones that barely do anything). Powerful kits from the internet cannot be legally sold to the public in the EU and are used without checking your mouth first. In both cases: either it doesn't work, or it's not legal.
How long does the result last?
From one to three years as a guideline, depending on coffee, tea, wine, and tobacco. With your stored trays, a quick touch-up at home keeps it up without repeating the full treatment.
I have crowns, veneers, or fillings; will they whiten too?
No: peroxide does not work on porcelain or composite. That is why the order matters: first you bleach, and then you adjust or renew the visible restorations to the new shade.
Can I get teeth whitening while pregnant or if I am a minor?
Under European regulations, it is prohibited for minors under 18. During pregnancy and breastfeeding, out of caution, it is postponed: there is no aesthetic urgency that justifies the risk, no matter how small.
First visit
Request your check-up and whitening plan
The first visit is informative and without obligation: check-up, tone measurement, and a written quotation. Write to us and we will call you to schedule an appointment.
- AddressCalle Barranquillo, 2
38650 Los Cristianos, Arona (Santa Cruz de Tenerife) - Phone and WhatsApp+34 654 58 55 53
- Emailinfo@smiletenerife.com
- Opening hoursMonday and Wednesday: 10:00 – 19:00
Tuesday, Thursday and Friday: 10:00 – 17:00
Saturdays and Sundays: closed