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If you are looking for that brighter, whiter smile then tooth whitening can be a very effective way of lightening the color of your teeth. Tooth whitening is a highly effective way of combating stains created from smoking, eating and certain drinks such as coffee, tea and red juice.

Some people naturally have whiter teeth than others but as we get older, like our bodies tend to head south so do our teeth become more discolored and stained. It's not only what we eat, drink and smoke that affects our teeth but teeth can also become discolored from tarter and other things such things as tiny cracks in our teeth which increase susceptibility to staining.

If you approach your dentist about tooth whitening they will more than likely suggest the use professional bleaching as a form of whitening your teeth. Bleaching is not a quick fix but it is one of the least expensive options with the whole process taking about 3 * 4 weeks. Firstly, your dentist will have to make a mouth guard to protect your mouth from the effect of the bleach and once the mouth guard is ready your dentist will start the tooth whitening treatment. After the initial treatment you will have to apply the bleach yourself over a two to four weeks for periods of half an hour to an hour at a time although some products can be left on longer to achieve a faster result.

A relatively new method for tooth whitening is laser tooth whitening whereby bleach is painted onto your teeth and then the chemical is activated by a laser light. Laser whitening speeds up the process of whitening your teeth and can result in teeth several shades lighter than through traditional methods of tooth whitening. The whole process takes just around an hour. Laser whitening is a more expensive method but the upside is the speed and the end result.

You can purchase home tooth whitening kits (over-the-counter) but they usually only contain a small element of hydrogen peroxide, in the region of just 2-3% of what is in a professional product, so will have little noticeable impact on the color of your teeth.

You can experience the benefits of tooth whitening for up to 3 years following treatment but it will vary from person to person and smoking and the consumption of certain foods and drinks will speed up the discoloration process. Tooth whitening only works on natural teeth and is not the answer to discolored dentures, crowns or any other form of false teeth.

Tooth whitening can sometimes result in some uncomfortable side effects, which usually only cause temporary discomfort, with the possible side effects including tooth sensitivity, sore gums and sore throat. You should discuss the possible side affect of tooth whitening, with your dentist, before starting the process.