Teeth Bleaching

Over time, a number of factors can cause teeth to become discolored. The most common culprits include smoking, chewing tobacco, and drinking large quantities of tea, coffee, or dark colas. Some people are simply genetically predisposed to having darker teeth.

If you're unhappy with the shade of your teeth and feel self-conscious about it, a bleaching system could solve your problems. Most teeth bleaching procedures can easily be done at home and are available both over-the-counter and through a dentist. If you choose to see your dentist, a mold of your teeth will be sent off to a dental lab, where a specialized plastic tray will be created for you. Your dentist will provide you with a supply of bleaching gel.

Over the course of the next two weeks or so, you'll fill the tray with gel each day and wear it for several hours. Toward the end of the procedure, you should notice your teeth have grown several shades whiter. The process is normally painless, though patients prone to tooth sensitivity might experience discomfort from the bleaching agent.

Another option for those who want whiter teeth is to pick up a bleaching system at a drug store. Several major toothpaste manufacturers now produce these kits, which typically cost about $30 (as opposed to $300-$500 or more for the dentist-provided versions). They normally consist of paper strips backed with a bleaching gel, which you wear over your teeth once or twice a day. While convenient, these over-the-counter kits can take several weeks longer than the kind you get directly from the dentist--and the results, while definitely noticeable, are usually less dramatic.