Has your daily cup of joe left your teeth stained and discolored? If so, you may be thinking about brightening up your smile. But between the whiteners in the stores and the bleaching treatments at your dentist’s office, you may wonder which is right for you.

“Whitening” is using a product or having a treatment done to make your teeth look whiter. Before you try any whitening products, talk to your dentist. He or she will let you know if teeth whitening is for you, and suggest treatment options.

Causes of tooth discoloration
Yellowing and staining are usually caused by tobacco, coffee, tea and aging. Discoloration can also be caused by too much fluoride in childhood or taking certain medications. Tooth whitening works best on teeth that have been stained by food, drinks and aging.

Is teeth whitening for you?
Teeth whitening is not for everyone. It may not be effective, or it could irritate your teeth and gums. You may not be a good candidate for teeth whitening if you have:

• Sensitive teeth
• Grayish discolorations
• Certain types of bondings or fillings in your front teeth

Ask your dentist if you qualify for alternatives to whitening, such as porcelain veneers or dental bonding.

Whitening weapons
There are many whitening products available. Most use peroxide to bleach the teeth.

There are several choices available. Some are done at the dentist’s office, others you can do yourself at home. When making your decision, take into account your needs, your dentist’s advice and the cost.

In-office bleaching is done at your dentist’s office with your dentist’s supervision. The treatment takes about one hour. You may need one to three treatments. First, your dentist will apply a protective gel to prevent gum irritation. Then, a bleaching agent will be put on your teeth. A special light, heat source or laser may be used to activate the whitener.

Treatments at the dentist’s office are often the most costly whitening options, and they normally are not covered by insurance.

At-home whiteners. You can buy whiteners from your dentist or over-the-counter (OTC) at a pharmacy. OTC products are often more affordable than products sold by your dentist.

These whiteners often come in a gel form. You can buy pre-loaded strips or trays that you put on your teeth or buy kits that provide gel that you place inside a mouth guard. Be sure to read and follow the directions that come with at-home teeth whitening kits.

If you buy the kit from your dentist, he or she can custom-fit the mouthpiece to your mouth so the bleach won’t leak out and irritate your gums. You will wear the gel-filled guard for an hour or more each day or overnight, for two to four weeks.

Toothpastes. Whitening toothpastes improve the appearance of your teeth by removing stains with polishes, chemicals and other agents. They usually do not contain bleach like other whitening products. Toothpastes are the cheapest whitening treatment, but don’t work as fast.

Does teeth whitening work?
Whitening is successful about 90 percent of the time. OTC products often contain a lower strength bleaching agent than whitening products applied by your dentist. But, most whitening products are equally effective. If you use a lower strength bleaching agent, you may just need to use the product for a longer amount of time to get the desired result.

Keep in mind that results aren’t permanent. Expect results to last between one and five years. If you keep eating and drinking the products that cause staining, you will need to re-bleach sooner.

Safety and side effects
The American Dental Association says teeth whitening is safe when products are used as directed. If you use whitening products more often than suggested, you could wear away tooth enamel.

Some people experience side effects from whitening. The main ones are gum irritation and tooth sensitivity. But they are usually mild and go away when treatment ends.