There are many ways to prevent teeth discolouration; including cutting black coffee and red wine from your diet. Over time it is still inevitable that your teeth will become less white which is why many rely on the Harley Teeth Whitening clinic for a professional and reliable service, leaving their teeth pearly white.
There are, however, those who would prefer to look for a folk remedy or natural teeth whitening remedies as an alternative. We would strongly advise you to be wary of such alternatives treatments as they may have no effect at all or could even make things worse. There is really no substitute for high quality professional teeth whitening, but we have listed some natural teeth whitening remedies for your information here. Please be aware that we do not encourage these remedies and do not guarantee that they will work.
Turmeric
This is a yellow spice that you find in curries. It is notorious for staining everything it touches with a strong yellow colour but ironically it is also used by some to whiten teeth. You have to make a mixture of tooth paste, turmeric and baking soda as described in the video below. Brush your teeth for two minutes then afterwards brush them again with normal tooth paste to remove the residue of turmeric.
It sounds like an elaborate joke but apparently some people really do this.
Coconut Oil
“Oil pulling” is a trendy technique that is supposed to clean your mouth out and remove bacteria. It is alleged that it can also whiten the teeth. Simply put a spoon full of coconut oil in your mouth and swish it around and through your teeth for at least ten minutes then spit it out. Afterwards you should rinse your mouth out and brush your teeth as usual.
Baking Soda and Lemon Juice
This strange combination might raise eyebrows. Not because of the baking soda, which is mildly abrasive and can gently scrub off surface stains making teeth whiter, but more because of the lemon. Lemon juice is acidic and can therefore damage tooth enamel. Perhaps the alkaline baking soda acts to neutralise the acid in this folk remedy? Or maybe the lemon juice is supposed to work as a bleach for the teeth. It might be safer to substitute the lemon juice for water or just skip the folk remedies altogether.
If these natural teeth whitening remedies seem too strange then you would be wise to visit us for a free consultation about our professional teeth whitening services instead.
Our teeth whitening process is designed to be pain-free and we do our utmost to provide a relaxed, comfortable atmosphere to enjoy your treatment. We take great pride in providing a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. Most clients complete their sessions in less than an hour and we are always hearing from our delighted customers that they experienced no discomfort whatsoever. Learn more about our pain-free teeth whitening treatment.
In rare cases, clients who are prone to everyday tooth sensitivity may experience some very mild and temporary sensitivity after a teeth whitening treatment. However, if you already have sensitive teeth we recommended you visit your regular dentist for a dental health check up before proceeding as it is possible there may be an underlying dental health issue.
Here’s a selection of our previous clients discussing their treatments.
‘I was a bit nervous but the lady who did my treatment was very kind and comforting, would definitely recommend this clinic.’ Sally Chiddick
‘I’m absolutely over the moon with the result and can’t believe how naturally white my teeth look. The care and attention to detail you and your team took was second to none and even the music in your surgery was great! The treatment lounge was very relaxing and the treatment time flew by very quickly.’ Thank you, T Arthur
‘Very Professional clinic with a relaxed atmosphere. Everything was explained to me in detail and I felt totally comfortable during my treatment. Now I have gorgeous white teeth too!’ Tina Raval
Teeth whitening is a safe cosmetic procedure that boosts the whiteness of your teeth to give an attractive pearly white smile. The process is very simple and follows three steps, outlined below.
First of all, your teeth are thoroughly cleaned with an activator to prepare teeth for treatment. This removes particles and plaque. Teeth are then coated with a bleaching agent.
Secondly, after applying a mouth guard, a high energy blue halogen light is distributed over the teeth. This is activates the Hydrogen Peroxide molecules without damaging any part of your teeth.
Finally,the exposure to the halogen light will generally last between 6-15 minutes. This means that most consultations can be completed as quickly as 30 minutes to one hour.
Learn more about what to expect from your teeth whitening experience at Harley Teeth Whitening on our page about the teeth whitening process.
Here’s what some of our many happy customers say:
‘Very Professional clinic with a relaxed atmosphere. Everything was explained to me in detail and I felt totally comfortable during my treatment. Now I have gorgeous white teeth too!’ Tina Raval
‘The practice is very professional. I was told everything that was going to happen in my consultation. The whitening treatment was brilliant and I am very pleased with the results.’ Robert Thornton
‘I was a bit nervous but the lady who did my treatment was very kind and comforting, would definitely recommend this clinic.’ Sally Chiddick
‘Excellent service. Very happy with the results. Received excellent service from all at Harley Teeth Whitening, they put me totally at ease. Very polite and gave tremendous customer support. Would definitely recommend and use again. Thank you’ Peter Corboz
Teeth whitening is a three step process here at our clinic.
Firstly, your teeth are thoroughly cleaned with an activator to prepare teeth for treatment. This removes particles and plaque. Teeth are then coated with a bleaching agent.
Secondly, after applying a mouth guard, a high energy blue light is distributed over the teeth. This is activates the Hydrogen Peroxide molecules without damaging your teeth.
Lastly, exposure to the halogen light will generally last up to 15 minutes. This means that most consultations can be completed as quickly in less than one hour.
Learn more about what to expect from your teeth whitening experience at Harley Teeth Whitening on our page about the teeth whitening process.
Here are some of our satisfied clients:
‘The practice is very professional. I was told everything that was going to happen in my consultation. The whitening treatment was brilliant and I am very pleased with the results.’ Robert Thornton
‘I was a bit nervous but the lady who did my treatment was very kind and comforting, would definitely recommend this clinic.’ Sally Chiddick
‘Excellent service. Very happy with the results. Received excellent service from all at Harley Teeth Whitening, they put me totally at ease. Very polite and gave tremendous customer support. Would definitely recommend and use again. Thank you’ Peter Corboz
Teeth whitening is a simple and pain-free three step process with Harley Teeth Whitening.
Firstly, your teeth are thoroughly cleaned with an activator to prepare teeth for treatment. This removes food particles and plaque. Teeth are then coated with a bleaching agent.
Secondly, after applying a mouth guard, a high energy halogen light is shone over the teeth. This is activates the Hydrogen Peroxide molecules without overheating or damaging any part of your teeth.
Lastly, the exposure to the light source will generally last up to 15 minutes. This means that most consultations can be done in less than hour.
Learn more about what to expect from your teeth whitening experience at Harley Teeth Whitening on our page about the teeth whitening process.
Here are some of our many satisfied customers:
‘Very Professional clinic with a relaxed atmosphere. Everything was explained to me in detail and I felt totally comfortable during my treatment. Now I have gorgeous white teeth too!’ Tina Raval
‘I was a bit nervous but the lady who did my treatment was very kind and comforting, would definitely recommend this clinic.’ Sally Chiddick
‘Excellent service. Very happy with the results. Received excellent service from all at Harley Teeth Whitening, they put me totally at ease. Very polite and gave tremendous customer support. Would definitely recommend and use again. Thank you’ Peter Corboz
Teeth whitening with Harley Teeth Whitening is a three step process.
1. Teeth are thoroughly cleaned with an activator to prepare teeth for treatment. This removes food particles and plaque. Teeth are then coated with a bleaching agent.
2. After applying a mouth guard, a high energy blue halogen light is distributed over the teeth. This is activates the Hydrogen Peroxide molecules without overheating or damaging any part of your teeth.
3. The exposure to the light source will generally last between 6-15 minutes. This means that most consultations can be completed as quickly as 30 minutes to one hour.
Learn more about what to expect from your teeth whitening experience at Harley Teeth Whitening on our page about the teeth whitening process.
Here are some of our happy clients:
‘Very Professional clinic with a relaxed atmosphere. Everything was explained to me in detail and I felt totally comfortable during my treatment. Now I have gorgeous white teeth too!’ Tina Raval
‘The practice is very professional. I was told everything that was going to happen in my consultation. The whitening treatment was brilliant and I am very pleased with the results.’ Robert Thornton
‘Excellent service. Very happy with the results. Received excellent service from all at Harley Teeth Whitening, they put me totally at ease. Very polite and gave tremendous customer support. Would definitely recommend and use again. Thank you’ Peter Corboz
First, your teeth are thoroughly cleaned with an activator to prepare teeth for treatment. This removes particles and plaque. Teeth are then coated with a bleaching agent.
Secondly, after applying a mouth guard, a high energy blue halogen light is distributed over the teeth. This is activates the Hydrogen Peroxide molecules without overheating or damaging any part of your teeth.
Finally,the exposure to the light source will generally last between 6-15 minutes. This means that most consultations can be completed as quickly as 30 minutes to one hour.
Learn more about what to expect from your teeth whitening experience at Harley Teeth Whitening on our page about the teeth whitening process.
Here are some of our many happy customers:
‘Very Professional clinic with a relaxed atmosphere. Everything was explained to me in detail and I felt totally comfortable during my treatment. Now I have gorgeous white teeth too!’ Tina Raval
‘The practice is very professional. I was told everything that was going to happen in my consultation. The whitening treatment was brilliant and I am very pleased with the results.’ Robert Thornton
‘I was a bit nervous but the lady who did my treatment was very kind and comforting, would definitely recommend this clinic.’ Sally Chiddick
Teeth whitening should work when completed by a trained professional. However, to maintain your new smile you have to look after it. Your new smile should be preserved for 18 months to 2 years following your treatment in our clinic. However, we strongly recommend a continuous treatment programme every 6 months to maintain your dazzling white smile.
Our teeth whitening aftercare page describes in detail how to best look after your teeth after your teeth whitening treatment. Basically, these are the basic principles of good dental hygiene and a bit of common sense!
Maintain a good routine of brushing twice daily, plus flossing
Try to cut down on smoking – or better yet, quit altogether
Avoid or reduce your intake of drinks that stain your teeth, such as red wine, tea and coffee.
Use regular toothpaste, and not “whitening” branded toothpaste which may contribute towards enamel erosion
Our teeth whitening treatment will improve teeth whiteness by several shades. We will help you achieve a natural-looking pearly white smile. Generally, your teeth should retain their whiteness for approximately 18-24 months following your treatment. We recommend a continuous treatment programme every 6 months to maintain your new smile.
Here is just a small selection of our many happy clients enjoying their new smiles:
‘I would just like to say how pleased I am with my whitening treatment. All my friends have commented on how bright my teeth look but, at the same time they still look very natural. Three of my friends have already made an appointment with you.’ Clair Moffat
‘When I first visited Harley Teeth Whitening, I was so shy and self conscious but, your professionalism and friendly manner put me at ease immediately. I felt confident in your abilities that I could have the beautiful, white, sparkling smile that I have always dreamed of. I would like to express my sincere, genuine thanks to you for transforming smile.’ Alison Rose
‘What a result. I have smoked for years and you really could tell by the colour of my teeth. The treatment has not just made my teeth white but, has totally transformed my smile.’ Jay Patel
‘Many thanks to Harley Teeth Whitening, I have a perfect white smile and I feel like a movie star! Your clinic was very welcoming and staff very friendly, I felt right at home. All my friends have commented on my teeth and now they all want to have teeth whitening too!’ Dion Johnston
Professional whitening isn’t cheap, and you want to know you’re getting value for your investment. The good news? With proper care, your results can last 18-24 months. The even better news? You have significant control over how long your bright smile endures.
The baseline: 18-24 months with proper maintenance
Professional LED light-activated whitening, like the treatment provided at Harley Teeth Whitening, typically delivers results lasting 18-24 months. This assumes you follow proper aftercare and maintain reasonable lifestyle habits.
This longevity far exceeds over-the-counter alternatives. Shop-bought whitening strips or kits – using only 0.1% hydrogen peroxide due to UK regulations – produce results lasting just 2-6 months. The dramatically stronger concentration permitted in professional treatments (up to 6% hydrogen peroxide) creates deeper, more lasting whitening.
However, the 18-24 month timeframe isn’t guaranteed. Your specific results depend on several controllable factors.
What determines how long your whitening lasts
Your lifestyle habits
The single biggest factor affecting longevity is what you eat and drink. Certain substances stain teeth more aggressively than others:
High-staining culprits:
Coffee and black tea (tannins bind to enamel)
Red wine (chromogens and acids)
Dark fizzy drinks
Berries and tomato-based sauces
Curry and turmeric-heavy dishes
Tobacco (the absolute worst offender)
If you’re a multiple-cups-per-day coffee drinker or regular red wine enthusiast, expect results closer to 12-18 months. If you rarely consume staining foods and drinks, you might extend results beyond 24 months.
Your oral hygiene routine
Excellent daily care significantly extends the longevity of whitening. Plaque and tartar buildup create rough surfaces that make stains more likely to accumulate. Conversely, meticulous cleaning keeps enamel smooth and resistant to new discolouration.
Essential maintenance:
✓ Brush twice daily for two minutes ✓ Floss or use interdental brushes daily ✓ Rinse with water after consuming staining foods/drinks ✓ Visit your dental hygienist every six months
Professional cleanings remove surface stains before they become embedded, essentially “refreshing” your whitened teeth between treatments.
The critical first 48 hours
The immediate aftercare period dramatically affects long-term results. For 48 hours after whitening, your enamel pores remain slightly open, making teeth temporarily more vulnerable to staining.
During this window, strictly avoid all staining foods and drinks. Follow the “white diet” – white fish, chicken, pasta, rice, white cheese, cauliflower, bananas. This allows enamel to fully remineralise and seal, establishing the foundation for lasting results.
Patients who ignore this advice and immediately return to coffee, red wine, or curry often see noticeably faster fading.
Your natural tooth characteristics
Some people’s teeth simply hold whiteness longer than others due to genetic factors:
Enamel porosity – More porous enamel absorbs stains more readily.
Dentin colour – The underlying yellow layer shows through thinner enamel more quickly.
These factors are beyond your control, but understanding them helps set realistic expectations.
What shortens whitening longevity?
Certain habits and choices accelerate the return of discolouration:
Smoking or vaping – Nicotine and tar create persistent yellow-brown stains. Smokers might see results fade within 6-12 months.
Frequent staining beverage consumption – Multiple coffees or teas daily means constant enamel exposure to tannins.
Poor oral hygiene – Plaque buildup creates textured surfaces that trap stains more effectively.
Acidic food and drink – Acids temporarily soften enamel, making it more porous and susceptible to staining. Frequent consumption of citrus, fizzy drinks, or wine compounds staining.
Whitening toothpaste overuse – Contrary to intuition, abrasive whitening toothpastes can actually shorten longevity by creating microscopic scratches where stains lodge.
How to maximise your investment
Want to push results toward the 24-month mark or beyond? These strategies work:
Strategic consumption
You don’t need to eliminate staining foods entirely – just be strategic:
Drink coffee or tea through a straw to minimise front tooth contact
Rinse with water immediately after consuming staining substances
Have your morning coffee in one sitting rather than sipping throughout the day
Choose white wine over red when possible
Rinse after acidic foods to neutralise pH
Regular professional maintenance
Schedule dental hygienist appointments every six months. Professional cleaning removes accumulated surface stains before they penetrate deeper, effectively extending your whitening results without additional whitening treatments.
Avoid damaging practices
Skip whitening toothpastes in favour of regular fluoride varieties. The abrasives in whitening formulations can erode enamel over time. Wait 30 minutes after consuming acidic foods or drinks before brushing to avoid damaging temporarily softened enamel.
When to consider a touch-up
Most patients return for touch-up treatments after 18-24 months. However, the timing is personal – some want to refresh before results visibly fade, whilst others wait until noticeable yellowing returns.
Touch-ups are typically quicker than initial treatments because you’re maintaining existing whiteness rather than removing years of accumulated staining. Many patients find touch-ups achieve the desired brightness in a shorter session.
At Harley Teeth Whitening, we track your original shade and final result, making it easy to restore your bright smile to its peak whenever you’re ready.
Look after your smile
Professional teeth whitening lasts 18-24 months on average with proper care. Your specific results depend primarily on lifestyle choices you control – what you consume, how you care for your teeth, and whether you follow aftercare guidance.
The investment in professional whitening from GDC-registered dentists delivers lasting value that over-the-counter alternatives simply cannot match. When you eventually need a touch-up, the process is straightforward and maintains the brilliant smile you’ve enjoyed for nearly two years.
Your bright, confident smile doesn’t have an expiration date – it simply requires the same attention and care you give to any investment you value.
