So what do I do?
Your first stop should be at your dentist's office to ask for advice about your approach to whiter teeth. Get a cleaning and check up for cavities, and then ask about your whitening options. Your dentist can determine first of all if any of the whitening procedures are going to work on your teeth. He or she will suggest the most appropriate process for your teeth (depending on the degree of staining and the health of your teeth and gums) and then monitor its success and side effects. If your mouth has
teeth with a lot of decay or white spots,
gums are already sensitive or infected
a number of capped or crowned front teeth
the whitening products on the market today will not help you. Your dentist can spare you the disappointment and expense if this is your situation.
If you receive a "thumbs up" from the dentist, begin to consider your options. The basic whitening toothpastes can be a first step. These toothpastes just polish your teeth and remove some of the pellicle layer but cannot go deeper. The price is right but the results may not be to the degree you are expecting as they generally whiten only about one shade lighter than your original color.
