Routine dental hygiene including flossing between your teeth, twice a day brushing with a fluoride toothpaste and regular check-ups and cleaning alone won't guarantee a bright white smile.
If you decide to go beyond these steps to achieve a brighter, whiter smile you have several options at your disposal, each with advantages and disadvantages.
A cosmetic dentist should be consulted to help you determine which option meets your objectives.
Professional Power Bleach - Most Effective, Most Expensive A trained cosmetic dentist can perform a professional power bleaching of your teeth.
This procedure usually can be done in one sitting, as long as price is not an issue.
Costs can range from $400 to over $1,000.
The prices vary so much because often discounts are available for this is a very popular procedure.
The total time in the dentist's chair can range from 30 minutes to 2 hours depending on how dramatic of a change you're looking for and the technique that your cosmetic dentist chooses to use.
The process begins with a sitting where a dental tray is customized for you then a highly concentrated bleaching gel with hydrogen peroxide combined with carbamide peroxide are added.
The combination of heat and a special laser light help to break down the gel and allows oxygen to enter the enamel and bleach only colored substances.
You'll need to keep the dental tray in place for anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes.
The power bleach is the most effective method of whitening your teeth.
Once this procedure is completed you most likely will not need any type of touch up for several years.
You should be aware, though similar to home whitening kits, the procedure may cause tooth sensitivity during the treatment process, especially with cold foods and drinks.
You also need to know that the power bleach will not work on artificial teeth, laminates or teeth that have been bonded.
At Home Bleaching Kits A home bleaching kit is a popular alternative used by many people.
Although many people are happy with the results achieved from these kits a big disadvantage is the fact the bleaching tray is designed as a one size fits all.
Unfortunately, what may be an ideal fit for one may not be as good for another.
The process normally requires you to keep the bleaching tray in your mouth for two hours per day for a two-week period.
Costing anywhere from $49 to $120 most systems include a tray for the upper and lower sets of teeth.
Most cosmetic dentists do not recommend these home-bleaching kits.
No supervision and the lack of custom fitting can allow the gel in the kit that is designed to bleach your teeth to irritate your gums.
Also, make sure your home bleaching kit has been approved by the ADA.
A Safer Home Bleaching Alternative A custom made dental bleaching tray may be available from your cosmetic dentist.
This tray is made specifically to fit your mouth and your mouth only.
Your dentist then provides the whitening gel for you to use at home.
The procedure works similar to over the counter kits where you wear the bleaching tray for an hour or two daily for a two-week period.
A follow up visit to your dentist is usually recommended after the two-week period to ensure everything is going according to plan.
Whitening Toothpastes The most inexpensive and easy method of brightening your teeth is to use whitening toothpaste.
Approved by the American Dental Association (ADA) whitening toothpaste is basically harmless.
This type of toothpaste works by removing the pellicle, which is a thin invisible film from the teeth that allows stains from coffee, berries, etc to stick to the enamel.
It's important to note however this is more of a preventative measure as whitening toothpaste can help to prevent future stains from sticking to your teeth they do not actually whiten them.
No matter how long or often you brush with whitening toothpaste you will not make your teeth brighter.
The advantage to using such a product is the fact your teeth may not get any worse than they currently are.
It will take a very long time to notice any difference in whitening and even when you do it will not be dramatic.
Just remember to check with your dentist in San Jose or city where your live and to look for the ADA seal of approval.