How to Whiten Teeth in Photoshop

Are you tired of feeling self-conscious about your dull or yellowed teeth in your photos? Don’t worry, we’ve got the perfect solution for you – Photoshop! In this blog, we will guide you through the steps of whitening teeth in Photoshop, helping you achieve a natural and bright smile in just a few simple clicks. Whether it’s a professional portrait or a casual selfie, learning this essential skill will give you the confidence to showcase your best smile in every photo. So, let’s dive right in and discover how to transform your teeth and enhance your overall appearance with the magic of Photoshop!

How to Whiten Teeth in Photoshop

Welcome to Phlearn, where Aaron Ace will show you how to brighten and whiten teeth in Photoshop. In this tutorial, you will learn how to turn the teeth into a selection, remove any yellow coloring, and add brightness to the teeth.

Creating a Teeth Selection

To start, go to “Select” in the toolbar and then select “Color Range.” Use the eyedropper tool within color range to select areas of the image with similar colors to the teeth. Click on the teeth and use the plus eyedropper tool to add to the selection and ensure all teeth are selected. Adjust the fuzziness slider to include more or fewer teeth, making sure not to include the gums or lips. Click “OK” to turn the selection into a selection.

Adjusting Saturation

Load the selection from the previous step into a hue saturation adjustment layer by selecting “Hue Saturation” in the adjustment layers tab. The selection will automatically be loaded into the layer mask. Reduce the saturation to decrease the yellow color in the teeth. However, this adjustment affects the entire photo, so tweaks to the layer mask are needed.

Refining the Layer Mask

To refine the layer mask, hold alt or option and click on the layer mask. Use the brush tool to paint black where you don’t want the effect to be visible, starting around the lips. Then, use the lasso tool to select the teeth, inverse the selection, and fill it with black. This ensures that the effect is only visible on the teeth. To further refine the layer mask, use the brush tool to paint white on any areas that were missed.

Brightening the Teeth

To brighten the teeth, add a curves adjustment layer. Increase the brightness by dragging the curves upward. To apply the adjustment only to the teeth, copy the layer mask from the previous hue saturation adjustment layer to the curves adjustment layer. This duplicates the layer mask and applies the brightness adjustment only to the teeth.

Remember to keep the changes relatively subtle for a natural look. You can always go back and adjust the layer masks if needed. By following these simple steps, you can quickly and easily brighten and whiten teeth in Photoshop.

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FAQ – How to Whiten Teeth in Photoshop

Frequently Asked Questions

How to Whiten Teeth in Photoshop

1. What is Photoshop?

Photoshop is a popular image editing software developed by Adobe. It allows users to make various adjustments and enhancements to their photos, such as retouching, color correction, and even teeth whitening.

2. Can Photoshop be used to whiten teeth?

Absolutely! Photoshop provides powerful tools and features that make it possible to whiten teeth in photographs. By utilizing techniques like selective brushing and adjustment layers, you can achieve a natural-looking teeth whitening effect.

3. How can I whiten teeth in Photoshop?

To whiten teeth in Photoshop, follow these steps:

  1. Open your desired image in Photoshop.
  2. Select the “Lasso Tool” from the toolbar and carefully outline the teeth you want to whiten.
  3. Create a “New Adjustment Layer” by clicking on the half-filled circle icon at the bottom of the “Layers” panel, then choose “Curves” or “Hue/Saturation” adjustment.
  4. Adjust the settings of the selected adjustment layer to make the teeth appear whiter. Use the “Brush Tool” with a soft brush to refine the effect by painting over the teeth area.
  5. Save your edited image once you’re satisfied with the results.

4. Are there any alternative methods to whiten teeth in Photoshop?

Yes, besides using adjustment layers, you can also make use of the “Dodge Tool” or “Sponge Tool” to selectively brighten the teeth. However, be cautious not to overdo it, as it may result in an unrealistic appearance.

5. Can teeth whitening in Photoshop look natural?

With proper technique and subtle adjustments, you can achieve a natural-looking teeth whitening effect in Photoshop. It’s important to maintain the original texture and shade of the teeth while enhancing their brightness.

6. Should I consider professional teeth whitening instead?

While Photoshop can provide quick and convenient teeth whitening solutions for images, professional teeth whitening treatments performed by dental experts are the best way to achieve long-lasting and effective results. Photoshop is primarily used for cosmetic enhancements in images and may not reflect the same results in real life.

7. Can I undo teeth whitening in Photoshop if I’m not satisfied with the outcome?

Yes, one of the advantages of editing in Photoshop is its non-destructive nature. Whenever you edit an image, all changes are typically made on separate layers, which means you can always delete or modify those layers to revert to the original image.

I hope these FAQs have helped you understand how to whiten teeth in Photoshop effectively. Remember to experiment and practice to achieve the desired results!


I hope you find useful my article How to Whiten Teeth in Photoshop, I also recommend you to read my other posts in my blog at this link.

If you need help with anything join the community or do not hesitate to contact me.

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