Everybody loves a bright white smile, and there are a variety of products and procedures available to help you improve the look of yours.

Many people are satisfied with the sparkle they get from brushing twice daily with a fluoride-containing toothpaste, cleaning between their teeth once a day and the regular cleanings at your dentist’s office. If you decide you would like to go beyond this to make your smile look brighter, you should investigate all of your options.

    * In-office bleaching;
    * At-home bleaching;
    * Whitening toothpastes

The two side effects that occur most often are a temporary increase in tooth sensitivity and mild irritation of the soft tissues of the mouth, particularly the gums. Tooth sensitivity often occurs during early stages of the bleaching treatment. Tissue irritation most commonly results from an ill-fitting mouthpiece tray rather than the tooth-bleaching agent. Both of these conditions usually are temporary and disappear within 1 to 3 days of stopping or completing treatment.

With these advances, it is easier and faster to have whiter teeth. The number of options for at home teeth whitening systems and treatments abound but choosing can be hard, since many of these products can be harmful to the teeth. Knowing the right criteria can be the best way for you to find the right and perfect teeth whitening option that guarantees whiter teeth and healthier teeth and gums. Those looking for less harsh treatments, those with sensitive teeth and gums, those looking to spend less, and those looking for more subtle whitening now have more options. Also, professional tooth whitening yields the benefit of a procedure done by someone with experience, someone who knows your dental history well.

There are many differences from professional teeth whitening to at home teeth whitening products, and the risks involved are real as well. Knowing what you are willing to sacrifice to get what you want is one way to have the right teeth whitening choice for you.

It could give a person a complex. Calling it "bleachorexia," dentists say more and more people are coming in with unrealistic expectations for their teeth, wanting pearly whites that are several shades lighter than what's natural. In general, teeth bleaching is considered a safe procedure, but problems can arise when people stop following the directions and start thinking more is better. Over-whitening also makes it hard for dentists to match shades when doing fillings or crowns. Too much of a good thing is not always good. Although whiter teeth can give you much needed appeal, it is not everything about you.

Whether applied at home or in a professional's office, reputable whitening products use peroxides, chemicals that release oxygen bubbles to lift out staining pigments and debris. Where whiteners differ is in their peroxide concentrations, the time they take to work, and, of course, cost.

At home teeth whitening products are great, and pretty helpful for those aiming for whiter teeth at the comfort of their home's. However they also need to know that these only work on the surface of the teeth, therefore if the cause of their darkening of the teeth, they should get the right treatment for it. Getting whiter teeth needs more than getting any products, it has to be a product that works for you and your teeth.

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*  Don't use your fingernail to remove tooth stains, as your teeth are not hard as a rock. Fingernail can actually scratch the enamel which will led debris to lodge in the enamel thus worsening the situation by making the tooth more prone to tooth cavities.

* Do not use lemon or anything that has Vitamin C on your teeth. Lemon helps your teeth to become white as it reduces the major component of your healthy teeth, 'calcium'. Once it is lost it is susceptible to decay.

* Avoid excess intake of coffee, tea, red wine, carbonated drinks and smoking.

* Also avoid too hot and too cold drinks.

Not everyone can afford expensive teeth whitening procedures or are willing to risk the dental health with over the counter products. Simply knowing what to avoid to have whiter teeth is already a step ahead of achieving a great smile. Cheers!

Understanding the fact that teeth whitening products can be taken orally, and that they can directly cause damage and harm to the dental health only means consumers must be putting more criteria when choosing their product. Try to consider these facts first:

1.4 - Billions of dollars spent in the United States last year on over-the-counter tooth-whitening products.

14 in 20 - Number of tested DIY kits found to contain above-allowable levels of hydrogen peroxide, a mouth-damaging chemical commonly found in hair dyes, according to a recent study from the British Trading Standards Institute.

0.1 - Maximum percentage of hydrogen peroxide allowed in tooth-whitening kits in the European Union. Health Canada considers 3-per-cent hydrogen peroxide a safe level.

80 - Percentage of the 139 U.S. streams found in a 2002 study to be contaminated with man-made chemicals and hormones. Among them was the common tooth-whitening ingredient Triclosan, which causes thyroid disruption in frogs (human thyroid-signalling systems are nearly identical).

Before choosing and using any teeth whitening product, making sure how and what it can cause to your dental health should be well thought of. With so many dangers and complication that can be taken for using the wrong product, perhaps teeth whitening should be left to a more natural and simple approach.

Whitening is the most commonly prescribed method for treating moderately stained or discolored teeth. Teeth whitening procedures, commonly referred to as bleaching, use chemicals to enhance your smile by lightening the shade of your teeth and reducing discolorations in the enamel. Usually, results will last anywhere from 1 to 5 years, depending on the patient’s habits (smoking, drinking coffee, etc.) and the type of bleaching treatment performed. Consult with your dentist or a cosmetic dentist to evaluate your teeth whitening options.

Teeth whitening can significantly improve your smile, potentially making you more confident and more content with your appearance. Whether patients choose to get this cosmetic dental procedure at the dentist’s office or at home, the cost of teeth whitening is relatively inexpensive compared to other types of cosmetic dentistry. Yet since teeth whitening is very rarely covered by dental insurance, many people worry about the costs associated with this type of cosmetic dentistry. Some people use discount dental plans to save on teeth whitening. Select discount dental plans offer discounts and savings on many cosmetic dental procedures, including whitening, bonding, veneers and more.