It would be safe to say that most people have had a moment when watching the television or at the movies where they thought to themselves, “I wish I had a smile like that.”  The truth is, at least 80% of people have thought about bleaching their teeth or other teeth whitening treatments.

So what’s stopping everyone from getting a sparkling white, radiant smile?  Believe it or not many people simply don’t know where to start or what sort of financial and physical commitment is involved.  To shine some light on this topic, let’s dive a little deeper into the world of popular teeth whitening treatments and what’s available to consumers in today’s market.

Bleaching your teeth is not only an affordable method, but also manages to lighten the shade of your teeth without damaging the enamel or taking away from your tooth’s surface.  Plenty of people create award-winning smiles with bleaching in just a few treatments, though a full bleaching procedure usually spans the course of three to four weeks.

It’s important to keep in mind that each of us has our own unique tooth color.  Consuming foods which may cause stains, such as wine, will obviously cause this color to alter over time.  Equally enough, some people are born with great big, perfectly polished white teeth and seem unaffected by outside factors.

You might be thinking, “There is no way frigging way I’m shooting lasers at my teeth!”  Well you can rest assured knowing that not only is laser whitening faster than bleaching, but it also lasts considerably longer; some dentists claim up to three years between treatments. 

Many well respected dentists recommend laser whitening for these very reasons. But be weary as laser treatment can be quite expensive, even though you’ll only need it every few years.

• Consult your dentist before whitening.  They know your mouth and will recommend the most suitable method for your type of teeth.  Not everything is for everyone! 
• Don’t pay for long term treatment if you need a quick fix.  For example, if you have a wedding or high school reunion, and would like to rejuvenate your appearance on a temporary, immediate basis – consider an overnight, over the counter whitening solution commonly found at your local grocery store or pharmacy.  These typically range from $25-$45 and show results in a few days. 

The number of ways one can whitening their teeth is growing with every year that passes.  On a daily basis, the technology and procedures are being improved bringing you and endless array of options to keep your chompers clean and polished.  Regular brushing and avoiding teeth-staining foods is the best place to start – because no teeth whitening procedure can reverse the effects of poor oral hygiene.