Are you a smoker? Maybe you like your coffee and soda and the stains have caught up with you? If you want a whiter smile, a teeth whitening treatment could help you.

In the beginning, our teeth are fairly white. It is as we go through our life that the protective enamel begins to wear and form cracks. This covering is in place to keep teeth healthy during gnashing, chewing, and guard it from sugar. Beneath the enamel, the tooth is yellow. The cracks themselves will also be filled with food debris and dirt, making the teeth appear less vibrant. Whitening treatments lift these stains.

Discoloration on the surface of the teeth is known as an extrinsic stain. These do not affect the core of the tooth unless the problem is ignored for too long. For the most part, they are caused by dark colored drinks, foods, and tobacco. Generally, they are not very stubborn and can be brushed away. If not, they can easily be bleached. Still, don\'t ignore them or they can reach the tooth\'s core.

Intrinsic stains affect the tooth\'s core and are much harder to dismiss. They can be a fairly serious problem. Normally, these are caused by aging, the use of too much fluoride, or general trauma from injuries. It is difficult to simply bleach this type away. The best way to deal with them is a continual treatment lasting from a few months to a year. It is possible, though.

The safest way to have the bright smile you want is to visit your dentist. Having the procedure done in-office offers the safest, quickest, and most effective results possible. Of course, you do pay for these benefits. Your dentist will first insert a rubber dam to protect your gums from the chemical. He will then cover your teeth with a strong peroxide gel and let it sit in twenty-minute intervals. Once you have reached an hour, you are done. You will see results immediately.

If you want a cheaper or more convenient method to pearly whites, there are treatments you can do at home. You can get these directly from your dentist or find them in retail stores with the toothpaste. These can be effective, but do not usually give you the same results or over the same amount of time. Kits like this include a mouth guard that the gel is added to and sits in your mouth while you sleep. Repeats vary in frequency.

There are certain risks that come along with treatments like these. You could be sensitive to pressure and temperature for a few days all the way up to a few months. It can get painful sometimes. If for some reason the chemicals get on your gums, they can become irritated and painful, too. You also run the risk of uneven coloring throughout your mouth.

A good teeth whitening treatment can be a great thing for you. It can get rid of those yellow colors and make you happy to smile again. Visit your dentist for their professional advice.