How to Get a White Smile

There are a number of factors that stain and yellow teeth. As we age our teeth tend to turn yellow. Coffee, tea, red wine, and cola drinks also stain teeth. Some medicines stain teeth gray or blueish. In an age where we want to look younger, white teeth have become very popular. There are hundreds of products that promise whiter teeth, but not all of the are worth the expense and not all stains are easy to remove.

If you have gray or blueish stains or discoloration, it´s probaly due to antibiotics (tetracycline) and these are the hardest teeth to whiten. Instead of trying to do it yourself, visit a dentist for an opinion. Yellow teeth are easier to whiten, but before trying any procedure visit your dentist to make sure your teeth and gums are healthy.

To whiten teeth you have several options: over the counter whitening strips, whitening gels and trays, laser and other in-office whitening procedures done by a cosmetic dentist. Toothpastes and mouth washes that promise a whitening effect, don´t seem to work because they contain a very small percentage of bleaching agents, and because the remain such a small amount of time in contact with the teeth.

Over the counter whitening strips work, but consult your dentist before using them. The most popular one´s are Crest Whitestrips, though there are others on the market.  Crest White Strips come in 4 different packages, each a bit different than the others. The main difference is in the strength of the hydrogen peroxide, and the price. The higher the dose of hydrogen peroxide, the most costly the product package. Here are the 4 packages: 1. Crest White Strips Classic (6% hydrogen peroxide, 14-day treatment). 2. Crest White Strips Premium (10% hydrogen peroxide, 7-day treatment). 3. Crest White Strips Premium Plus (10% hydrogen peroxide, and has 12 additional strips). 4. Crest White Strips Renewal (9.5% hydrogen peroxide). The one you choose will depend on your lifestyle and budget.

There are also over the counter bleaching systems that use a gel and a tray to bleach teeth, however this system is best done by a dentist who can custom fit the tray to perfectly fit your teeth.

The fastest way to whiten teeth is an in-office treatment using gel and a light or laser to activate the product.

For information in Spanish visit: Como blanquear los dientes.