Professional teeth whitening in London starts at a median of £375. That figure comes from 944 London practices that publish a whitening price on their own website. Half of them start between £300 and £440.
The most common type is home whitening. The dentist makes trays that fit your teeth, and you wear them at home with a whitening gel. In-clinic whitening, done in one long appointment, usually costs more.
Teeth whitening prices in London by type
| Type of whitening | Median starting price | Middle half of practices | Practices |
|---|---|---|---|
| All professional whitening | £375 | £300 to £440 | 944 |
| Home whitening (custom trays) | £379 | £330 to £450 | 329 |
| In-clinic (Zoom or laser) | £495 | £399 to £633 | 65 |
| Enlighten | £650 | £599 to £695 | 115 |
Source: dentist-london.com, lowest published price per practice, October 2026. Prices are what practices advertise, not quotes.
Location makes a difference for whitening. The median is highest in Westminster and in Kensington and Chelsea, both £450. It is lowest in Newham (£275) and Bexley (£300). Most other boroughs sit between £340 and £400. Our teeth whitening in London directory lists practices with their published prices.
Who can legally whiten your teeth
In the UK, tooth whitening is a dental treatment. The General Dental Council (GDC), which registers dental professionals, sets out the law:
- Only a registered dentist can carry out whitening, or a dental hygienist or dental therapist working to a dentist’s prescription. Clinical dental technicians can also do it on a dentist’s prescription.
- Whitening products used by a dental professional can contain up to 6% hydrogen peroxide. A stronger product is illegal for cosmetic whitening.
- Products sold straight to the public, such as strips and toothpastes, can contain no more than 0.1% hydrogen peroxide. At that strength they do very little.
- Whitening above 0.1% must not be used on anyone under 18, unless it is to treat or prevent disease.
So whitening at a beauty salon, a kiosk or a “teeth whitening technician” who is not a registered dental professional is illegal. It can also burn your gums and damage your teeth. You can check that someone is registered on the GDC register.
Is teeth whitening available on the NHS?
No. The NHS says whitening is not available on the NHS and you have to pay for it privately. If one tooth has gone dark, for example after a root canal treatment, talk to your dentist. They can explain your options, but you should expect any whitening to be private.
What affects the price
The type of whitening. Home whitening needs less of the dentist’s time. You come in for a scan or impressions, collect your trays, and then wear them at home for about 2 to 4 weeks. In-clinic whitening costs more because a dental professional is with you for the whole session.
The system. Enlighten is a branded system that combines home trays and a clinic visit. The company advertises that most patients reach shade B1, one of the lightest natural tooth shades. That is why it costs more. Ask the practice what happens if you do not reach that shade.
Whether a clean is included. A dentist will usually want your teeth cleaned before whitening, because whitening over plaque and tartar gives patchy results. Some practices include a hygienist visit in the price. Others charge for it. The London median for a hygienist visit is £75.
Home whitening or in-clinic?
Both use the same kind of gel (hydrogen peroxide, or carbamide peroxide, which turns into hydrogen peroxide). Both work when a dental professional supervises them.
- Time: home trays take 2 to 4 weeks of wear, at night or for a few hours a day. In-clinic whitening is done in 1 appointment, often followed by home trays.
- Results: in-clinic whitening shows a change straight away. Home whitening is slower, but the final result can be similar.
- Cost later: with home whitening, you keep the trays. When your teeth start to stain again, you can buy more gel from your dentist instead of paying for a new treatment.
How long the results last
The NHS says the effect may last around 3 years if you follow your dentist’s advice. Coffee, tea, red wine and smoking all make teeth stain again faster. Most people do short top-ups with their trays rather than repeat the full treatment.
Is whitening safe?
It is safe when a registered dental professional does it or supervises it. The common side effects are teeth that are sensitive to cold or sweet things, sore gums, and white patches on the gums. These usually go away within a few days. Tell your dentist if they do not.
Whitening only works on natural teeth. It does not change the colour of crowns, veneers or white fillings. If you have any at the front, ask your dentist how they will look next to your whitened teeth.
Questions to ask a practice
When you contact a practice, ask 3 things:
- Which whitening system do you use, and is it home, in-clinic or both?
- Is a clean included in the price?
- Can I buy top-up gel later, and how much does it cost?
For other treatment prices, see our dental price list and our guide to dentist costs in London.
Prices are published starting prices from London practice websites, read in October 2026. Contact the practice for a quote.