Am I a candidate for tooth whitening?

Almost anyone whose permanent teeth have come in can qualify for tooth whitening. Your dentist will be able to assess your oral health and recommend the whitening method that's best for you.

Depending on the type and severity of the staining, he or she may suggest one or more of the following treatments:
- A professional cleaning to remove external staining caused by food and tobacco
- Use of a whitening toothpaste to help remove surface stains between dental visits
- For extra results, use of a convenient, affordable whitening gel or whitening strips
- Bleaching (in-office or at-home) for more stubborn stains or yellowing
- Veneers or bonding to fix irregular or damaged teeth or to achieve specific results

Ask your dentist which whitening technique is best for you.

- Teeth that are yellow respond best to bleaching. Brown or gray teeth, or teeth striped or mottled from tetracycline or too
  much fluoride, may not whiten evenly when bleached.

- People with periodontal disease or particularly sensitive teeth may want to avoid chemical whitening techniques that can
  irritate tender gums.

- Bleaching is not recommended if you have tooth-colored fillings, crowns, caps or bonding in your front teeth - the bleach
  will not change the color of these materials, making them stand out in your newly whitened smile. You may want to
  investigate other options, like veneers or bonding with your dentist.

- In some cases involving serious tooth or jaw problems, a crown or cap recommended to correct orthodontic problems may
  also result in a whiter and more appealing smile.

How does tooth whitening work?

All whitening techniques work in one of two ways:

Bleaching procedures change your natural tooth color, usually anywhere from five to seven shades brighter. In-office (chairside) whitening and at-home (tray) whitening both rely on bleaching. Bleaches contain an active ingredient, most often carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide in concentrations of 10-22%, which helps remove both deep and surface stains. There are significant cost differences between different bleaching procedures:

Non-bleaching procedures work by physical and/or chemical action to help remove surface stains. All toothpastes rely on mild abrasion to remove surface stains between dental visits. Whitening toothpastes have special chemical or polishing agents that provide additional stain removal. A professional cleaning by a dentist or hygienist also uses abrasion and polishing to remove most external staining caused by food and tobacco.

Everyone responds differently to different whitening procedures. Some people respond well to whitening toothpastes, while people with gray teeth or other serious discoloration may require porcelain veneers or bonding (discussed elsewhere in this section) to achieve the smiles they've always wanted. Only your dentist or hygienist can determine what's right for you.