Your teeth tell a story. Your morning coffee, weekend wine, years of meals and of life. The stains that build up over time are completely normal and, in most cases, reversible.
PureSmile Miami opens November 1, 2026 in Kendall. We will offer professional whitening, in office or with custom take-home trays. And because it's done in a dental clinic, it starts with an exam and keeps your long-term dental health in mind.
You've probably already tried whitening strips, charcoal toothpaste, baking soda or one of those LED-light trays from Instagram. Some of them may have helped a little.
Over-the-counter products contain low concentrations of whitening agent, usually between 3 and 10 percent hydrogen peroxide. Professional treatments use between 15 and 40 percent, applied under controlled conditions with the gums protected. The difference isn't just the percentage, it's the penetration: higher concentrations reach enamel stains that surface products don't touch.
Then there's safety. Whitening without an exam first is like painting over a crack. If there's decay, gum disease or enamel wear, a whitening agent can cause serious sensitivity or damage. That's why we check first, take care of whatever we find, and then design the plan.
In office. The quickest of the options. In about 60 to 90 minutes, a professional-grade gel is applied and activated with light, and you typically leave several shades lighter. The gums are protected with a barrier and the whole process is monitored. A good fit if you have an event coming up or want an immediate result.
Custom take-home trays. We take molds of your teeth and make close-fitting trays that you fill with professional gel. Depending on the concentration, you wear them from 30 minutes to a few hours a day for one to two weeks. The result builds gradually and works well if you prefer to go at your own pace.
Combined. Many patients do one in-office session for an initial boost and then maintain with trays at home. It's an approach that tends to hold up well over the long term.
Extrinsic stains. These sit on the enamel and come from what touches the tooth: coffee, tea, red wine, colas, berries, tomato sauce, soy sauce and tobacco. They respond very well to cleaning and whitening. If your teeth used to be white and have gradually turned yellow, this is usually why.
Intrinsic stains. These live inside the tooth structure and are harder to treat. They can come from medications taken while the teeth were forming (especially tetracycline-type antibiotics), too much fluoride in childhood, trauma to a tooth or aging itself. Whitening improves them considerably, although very dark ones may need veneers.
Age-related stains. A mix of the two. Over the years, enamel thins and the darker dentin underneath shows through more. That's why teeth look more yellow after 40, even with good hygiene. The good news is that this type responds very well to professional whitening.
Yes, when it's done properly. Professional whitening with appropriate concentrations, gum protection and an exam beforehand is a well-established, safe cosmetic procedure. The American Dental Association considers dentist-supervised peroxide whitening safe for enamel.
The most common side effect is temporary sensitivity: teeth may be a little sensitive for a day or two, especially to cold. It's normal, goes away on its own and can be reduced with a desensitizer.
What isn't safe: using unregulated products bought online, whitening with untreated decay, or applying high concentrations without supervision.
We'd rather be honest than oversell. Most patients improve by three to eight shades. If your teeth are moderately stained from coffee and age, the change will be noticeable. If you have deep intrinsic stains or very dark teeth, they will improve but may not reach a bright white, and we'll tell you that from the start.
Results last between six months and two years, depending on your diet, hygiene and habits. People who drink coffee every day and don't do maintenance will see stains come back sooner.
Important: whitening doesn't change the color of crowns, veneers or fillings. If you have visible restorations, it needs to be planned so everything matches.
How much does whitening cost?
It depends on the type of treatment. In-office whitening costs more than take-home trays but gives an immediate result. We give you a clear price at your consultation, with no hidden fees. Cosmetic whitening is usually not covered by insurance.
Does it damage enamel?
No. Professional whitening at appropriate concentrations doesn't damage healthy enamel. The agent penetrates to break down stain molecules; it doesn't remove enamel. Overuse of unregulated products, however, can cause sensitivity and erosion.
Can I whiten if I have sensitive teeth?
Usually, yes. We adjust the concentration and the time, and desensitizers can be applied before and after. If the sensitivity comes from decay or gum recession, we treat that first. Whitening shouldn't cause more than mild, temporary sensitivity.
Is there an age limit?
It's best to wait until all permanent teeth have fully formed, around age 16 to 18. For adults there is no upper limit. In fact, age-related stains respond very well.
Can I whiten while pregnant?
We recommend waiting until after pregnancy and breastfeeding. There's no solid evidence of harm, but there also isn't enough research to confirm it's safe, and in this case we prefer to be cautious.
