There is nothing worse than smiling in the mirror and seeing 2 rows of yellow teeth. What happened to those pearly whites we had as children? Well, over time, our teeth start to darken because they absorb stains and they start to discolor. Some of the worst things we can consume that will impact the color of our teeth are tea, coffee, colas, red and smoking. The procedure known as teeth whitening or teeth bleaching is getting very popular. You no longer have to settle for those yellow teeth. You can brighten your smile either in the dentist chair, or at home using teeth whitening methods. There are a number of teeth whitening products including new tooth pastes and home use kits.

A popular method to teeth whitening is using at-home tray based teeth whitening products. This system uses a clear plastic tray that is filled with whitening gel and is then placed over your teeth. The tray is worn for several hours per day or at night while your sleep. The procedure often takes a few weeks for your teeth to come out white. Whether you do it at home or your have your dentist do it for you, it is important to use teeth whitening products that will provide lasting results, give you a naturally looking smile, are clinically proven to be safe as well as effective, uses low concentration of hydrogen peroxide and is approved by your dentist. There are a number of teeth bleaching products on the market sold over the counter that can do more harm than good.

Before you proceed with any form of teeth whiting treatment, your best bet is to consult your dentist first. They will likely be able to guide you in the right direction according to your current teeth discoloration. Yellow hued teeth respond well to teeth bleaching while gray hued teeth dont respond well at all. If you have porcelain veneers or other dental bonding, whitening will not help them at all. You will likely have to have them changed out if they are really discolored so that they match your other teeth. Because your teeth are so very important, please discuss the use of any teeth whiting products with your dentist to ensure the safety of your teeth long term.