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Do you find yourself staring enviously at the smiles of Hollywood stars radiating out of entertainment magazines? You too can have a smile so brilliant. With the growing trend of teeth whitening, costs have gone down and more products have become available, making the procedure easier than ever before.

Teeth whitening, also called teeth bleeching, was once an expensive in-office procedure that only the rich and famous could afford. Fortunately for the rest of us, teeth whitening can now be done at home, with the help of a professional. Many dentists are specially trained in teeth whitening techniques. Usually, they will mold a tray fitted to your teeth. You squeeze teeth whitening gels into the trays and keep them in your mouth for a prescribed amount of time each day. Over a period of a couple weeks, your teeth will begin to shine. These teeth whitening systems may initially cost hundreds of dollars. However, once a tray has been made, it can be reused over and over again; refills of teeth whitening gels are inexpensive. And a tray made specifically for your teeth will perform better than a generic mold.

Some teeth whitening gels are safer and more effective than others. Most teeth whitening kits include gels containing carbomide peroxide; the percentage you should use depends upon the sensitivity of your teeth. Using a gel with too high a percentage of carbomide peroxide can be painful.

While over-the-counter teeth whitening systems are available, they may not be as safe and effective as those purchased from a professional. Some may burn your gum tissue, especially if too much gel is used. It is important to ask your dentist for a recommendation.

Remember that teeth whitening does not work on caps, crowns, or veneers. Also, it will not make your teeth stark white but will instead give your smile a natural, cleaner, brighter look. Teeth whitening can only be done once every few months. To avoid further yellowing of the teeth, limit your intake of coffee, tea, colas, and red wine, which are known to stain enamel. Using a teeth whitening paste in addition to the kit can also help you maintain your new, beautiful smile.