Whitening
Which teeth whitening works best, and what's legal
The strongest teeth whitening allowed in Ireland is up to 6% hydrogen peroxide, and only a dentist can supply it. Anything sold straight to you, including strips, pens and natural kits, is capped at 0.1%. Dentist whitening in Dublin typically costs €295 to €390 for a take-home kit.
The three levels
| Hydrogen peroxide | Who can sell it |
|---|---|
| Up to 0.1% | Anyone |
| Over 0.1%, up to 6% | Only a registered dentist |
| Over 6% | Nobody, banned in the EU |
That 60-fold gap is the whole story of the best teeth whitening. Shop products are limited by law; dentist whitening is the strongest you can legally get.
How to check a whitening product
- Look for the EU safety information and a responsible person's EU address on the label. No address, don't use it.
- Check the strength. Over 0.1% sold without a dentist isn't legal here.
- Buy from known shops and pharmacies, not unknown sellers on social media.
- Under 18: no whitening products.
If you're getting bonding as well
Whiten first, then bond. Composite doesn't whiten, so the dentist matches it to your newly whitened teeth.
Read next: Whitening prices · Composite bonding cost · Check a dentist is registered
Free quote
Ask one dentist about whitening
Four quick answers. One dental practice in your part of Dublin rings you with a price. Free, and nothing is booked unless you say yes.
- Tell us what you'd like done. Send a smiling photo for a free preview, or answer four quick questions.
- We match you with one dental practice in your part of Dublin whose dentists are on the Dental Council register. Within one working day.
- They ring you with a price. A dentist checks your teeth at a consultation and confirms what suits you. Nothing is booked unless you say yes.
Ask one Dublin dentist for a price
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What would you like done?
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When would you like it done?
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Questions
Whitening questions
What is the most effective teeth whitening you can get in Ireland?
Dentist-supplied whitening with up to 6% hydrogen peroxide, or the carbamide peroxide equivalent. It's the strongest allowed in the EU, and only a dentist can supply it.
Do whitening strips from a shop work?
Anything sold straight to you is limited to 0.1% hydrogen peroxide, so the change is small. Strips sold online with far more than that are illegal and can burn the gums.
Is natural teeth whitening safe?
A natural product is still a cosmetic product with the same rules: the EU safety information and a responsible person's EU address on the label, and no more than 0.1% hydrogen peroxide if sold to you directly.
How do I get stains off my teeth?
Start with a scale and polish (€85 to €100, or €15 with PRSI dental benefit). It removes surface stain. Stain inside the tooth needs whitening, or bonding or veneers over it.
Get a free quote for your smile
Tell us what you'd like done. One dental practice in your part of Dublin rings you with a price. Free, and nothing is booked unless you say yes.