A lot of people aren't happy with the color of their teeth.  If you happen to be one of these people, don't worry.  Stained teeth are very common among men and women of all ages.  The causes for said stains are many.  Folks who drink a lot of coffee or red wine tend to have bigger issues with staining than others.  Smokers, as well, really have to work hard in order to keep their teeth bright and white.  Even if you've lead a perfectly clean life though, your teeth may still need some whitening up!  You see, teeth get worn with age.  It's understandable that they don't look quite as good now as they did when you were younger.  So what kind of options does one have if they want to whiten their teeth?  In this article, we'll have a look at three of the more common ones.

As you read through the following text, please keep in mind that I'm not a health care professional of any kind.  There are many different opinions on various teeth whitening methods and I encourage you to do a lot of research.  Check out a few sites and read a couple reviews before making a decision.  You could also talk to your dentist if you're not sure about something you read online.

Three Teeth Whitening Options To Consider

We're going to start with the cheapest one and make our way up.  You've probably guessed by now that the least expensive way to whiten your teeth it by brushing them.  Brushing your teeth is an absolute must if you want to keep your teeth healthy.  It also does a decent job of making them whiter.  The next time you're out shopping for toothpaste, try to get one that offers a whitening gel of some kind.  You also want to make sure that there is fluoride in this toothpaste.  The last thing you want to do is sacrifice health for cosmetic appearance.  Now, one shouldn't expect miracles from a whitening toothpaste.  These products, at best, will help to take off surface stains.  Any serious stain that's rooted underneath the surface of the tooth will not be taken off with a paste.  This is due to the fact that there is never bleach (or peroxide) in a toothpaste.  There are other chemicals but they aren't quite as strong.

The next teeth whitening option we're going to discuss involves a type of product that is specifically designed for this use.  In this category, you'll find anything that can be applied by yourself at home.  The most common ones on the market are gels.  These products have a small concentration of peroxide and are typically applied with a brush of some kind.  The user simply brushes the gel on to the surface of the teeth, trying hard to get every spot.  With most of these products, two applications a day are required for about two weeks.  When all is said and done, you'll probably have white teeth for about three months.  These items are made by toothpaste companies and are available in drug stores and pharmacies everywhere.  They usually cost about $20.  Another home tooth whitener are those strips.  The most popular ones that we're all familiar with are the Crest Whitestrips.  These are thin, transparent strips that kind of stick to the teeth.  They're left on for 30 minutes or so while they coat the teeth with peroxide gel.  Much like the gels discussed above, most strips require two applications a day for a couple of weeks.  The cost of these strips is around $30.  This will get you two weeks worth.

There are advantages and disadvantages to using an at home tooth whitener.  Generally speaking, these products aren't as strong as a substance used in a dental office.  This is due to the fact that the amount of peroxide in the gel isn't quite as high.  On the other hand, home treatments are substantially cheaper than professional office whitening procedures.  As far as teeth whitening options go, this is a pretty good one.

Nothing can top the in office treatment though.  For those of you that aren't familiar with this procedure, you may want to read a bit about the Brite Smile Teeth Whitening System.  This is one of the most common office procedures available.  With most of these systems, the patient is given a custom made tray for their teeth.  This ensures that that the gel coats the entire surface of every single tooth in your mouth.  A stronger concentration of peroxide is used as well.  This means that the results you see are quite a bit better than those reached with a self applied method.  I also like the fact that, with an in office tooth whitening option, you are in the hands of a professional.  Teeth don't grow back you know!  It's important that you take really good care of them.  Above all though, this is the best method because it's quick and effective.  The only downside is the cost.  The Brite Smile system, for example, costs almost $800.

How do you keep your teeth white?  Let me know!