Everybody wants whiter teeth.  As people age, the color of their teeth can become darker due to food and drink stains, certain antibiotics, tobacco, or too much fluoride.  However, many people are afraid to use teeth whitening products because they do not know what the products are made of.

The American Dental Association defines teeth whitening as “any procedure that will make teeth appear whiter.”  Teeth bleaching is technically when teeth can be whitened beyond their natural color, but the term teeth whitening is still used more often, even when referring to teeth bleaching.

There are different types of products that you can use to whiten your teeth.  Either hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide are the bleaching agents used in teeth whitening.  In-office whitening involves having a high-concentration peroxide gel applied to your teeth by your cosmetic dentist.  It is the most expensive option in teeth whitening, but also the quickest way to get immediate results.  Dentists can also provide their patients with professional whitening kits, which have a lower concentration of bleaching agent but are still effective and much less expensive than in-office whitening.

Over-the-counter whitening kits contain a low concentration of bleaching agent and are often used over a period of days or weeks.  Other teeth whitening products include toothpastes, mouthwashes, and chewing gum.  Side effects of using a teeth whitening system can vary, so make sure to consult your cosmetic dentist to choose the one that is right for you.