A brighter smile isn’t difficult to find these days. Whitening strips line drugstore shelves. Salons and other businesses may advertise whitening products or equipment. Then there are professional whitening treatments available through dental offices.
But that raises a question most people probably don’t think about until they see whitening offered somewhere other than a dentist’s office:
Who is actually allowed to whiten teeth?
The answer isn’t quite as simple as “dentists only” or “anyone can do it.” Teeth whitening laws vary by state, and Illinois makes an important distinction between someone performing certain whitening-related procedures and a consumer applying whitening material themselves.
What Are the Teeth Whitening Laws in Illinois?
Under the current Illinois Dental Practice Act, certain activities involving teeth whitening fall within the practice of dentistry.
The law includes taking impressions of someone’s teeth and placing one’s hands inside another person’s mouth to apply whitening materials—or to assist in applying those materials—as activities constituting the practice of dentistry.
There is an important exception.
A person who is not licensed as a dentist does not practice dentistry under this particular provision when that person discloses to the consumer that they are not a licensed dentist and:
- Discusses the use of whitening materials with someone purchasing them;
- Provides instructions about how the purchaser can use the whitening materials; or
- Provides appropriate equipment on-site for the consumer to apply the whitening material themselves.
That’s an important difference.
Selling or explaining a self-applied whitening product isn’t necessarily the same thing as physically performing a whitening procedure on someone else’s teeth.
Because laws can change, anyone considering offering teeth-whitening services as a business should verify current requirements with the appropriate Illinois licensing authorities rather than relying on an older article or general information online.
Do You Need a License to Do Teeth Whitening?
It depends on what you mean by “do teeth whitening.”
In Illinois, the distinction between providing materials for someone to self-apply and actually placing your hands in someone’s mouth to apply or assist with whitening materials matters.
That’s why a simple yes-or-no answer can be misleading.
Someone considering opening a teeth-whitening business should look carefully at what services they intend to provide and confirm that their business model complies with current Illinois law.
For consumers, there’s a different question worth asking: just because a whitening product or service is available, is it the right choice for your teeth?
That’s where a dental evaluation can be useful.
Why Talk to a Dentist Before Whitening Your Teeth?
Not every type of discoloration responds to whitening in the same way.
Coffee, tea, tobacco and other teeth-staining habits can cause external staining that may respond well to whitening. Other discoloration can originate within the tooth and behave differently.
Existing dental work matters, too. Crowns, veneers, fillings and dental implants don’t necessarily change color along with natural tooth enamel. Whitening your natural teeth without considering existing restorations can sometimes leave you with an uneven result.
Then there’s sensitivity.
Some people tolerate whitening with very little trouble. Others experience considerable tooth or gum sensitivity. A dentist can examine your teeth and gums first and help identify issues that could affect whether whitening is appropriate.
Professional vs. Over-the-Counter Teeth Whitening
Walk through almost any oral-care aisle and you’ll find whitening strips, gels, toothpastes and rinses promising a brighter smile.
Some can help with certain types of staining.
Professional whitening takes a different approach. Dental offices can evaluate the condition and color of your teeth before recommending treatment and explain what kind of result is realistic.
If you’re considering whitening and wondering which approach makes sense, read more about professional teeth whitening.
And be skeptical of dramatic DIY solutions you come across online. We’ve looked at several popular teeth whitening hacks and why seemingly harmless home remedies aren’t always harmless to enamel.
Is Professional Teeth Whitening Right for Everyone?
No. Before whitening, it’s worth figuring out why your teeth look darker in the first place.
Someone with surface staining from coffee may be dealing with something very different from a person whose tooth has changed color after trauma. Cavities, gum problems, sensitivity and existing restorations can also affect the conversation.
Sometimes whitening makes sense. Sometimes another form of cosmetic dental treatment may be worth discussing instead.
The important part is knowing what you’re treating before trying to change it.
Looking for Teeth Whitening Near Joliet, IL?
If you’re interested in whitening your teeth, Shorewood Family Dental Care can help you understand your options without guessing your way through the oral-care aisle or relying on whatever whitening trend happens to be circulating online.
Our Shorewood office serves patients from Joliet and surrounding communities. If you’re looking for a cosmetic dentist near Joliet to discuss professional teeth whitening or other cosmetic dental options, call 815-725-5991 to schedule an appointment.
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Originally published May 10, 2021. Updated August 15, 2026.
