Have you heard about the latest thing in teeth whitening? Everybody today is looking for a quick and easy way to whiten their teeth. A brighter smile can help you look friendlier, healthier, younger and more attractive. And whiter teeth can do wonders for your self-esteem, especially if you've struggled in the past with stains and discolorations. More and more products are now available to help you achieve whiter teeth. In the latest innovation, dentists are now able to offer tooth whitening treatments using special lights and lasers. These cutting-edge methods can provide dramatic results that last up to a year or even longer. The question is, are these new treatments right for you?

Teeth whitening toothpaste has been around for a long time. Toothpaste is never been able to do more than polish surface stains. In order to actually remove stains and discolorations, it was necessary to create something that actually penetrated the enamel of your teeth. Truly effective teeth whitening became possible with the introduction of tooth whitening gel. These gels contained peroxide, which removes stains and whitens teeth through the process of oxidation.

In the beginning, teeth whitening gel treatments were only available from your dentist. However, recent years have seen the release of new tooth whitening gel products that can be purchased by the average consumer over-the-counter. Although these teeth whitening gels were less concentrated than the treatments provided by a dentist, they were effective and offered everyone the opportunity to obtain whiter teeth at a much lower cost.

Most kinds of tooth whitening gel are designed to be brushed on your teeth twice a day. The complete treatment usually takes about two weeks. Tooth whitening gel has proven very effective against yellow stains and is moderately effective in removing brown stains. The results you achieve from over-the-counter teeth whitening gel can last up to four months.

Tooth whitening strips are also available for purchase over the counter. The strips offer an alternate way to apply teeth whitening gel. Each strip is infused with tooth whitening gel. You place the strips on your teeth and allow them to remain for a short period of time, usually about 30 minutes. Again, the total treatment usually takes about two weeks and effectively whitens your teeth for about four months.

Some of the best teeth whitening gel treatments are available from your dentist. A visit with your dentist usually begins with a consultation about your particular situation and the probable cause of any stains or discoloration. Once your dentist determines that you're a good candidate for success with tooth whitening, he may suggest an in-home treatment that includes regular office visits. Your dentist will construct a custom tray based on an impression of your teeth. You will then fill each tray with a special teeth whitening gel (usually more concentrated than what you can buy in a store). You will wear the gel-filled trays a little each day for a few weeks. This treatment will provide gradual whitening at a relatively low cost. But it will require a few extra visits to the dentist's office to make sure everything is going as expected.

Another treatment your dentist may suggest involves the use of special lights or lasers. This technique of tooth whitening is performed in the dentist's office. After providing some protection for your gums and soft tissues of your mouth, the dentist will apply teeth whitening gel to your teeth. Then, a special light or laser light is used to activate crystals in the gel. This process can achieve a whiteness that's three to eight shades lighter than your original color. All of this can be accomplished in one visit. However, the procedure is quite expensive and the change in your teeth will be immediate and very noticeable.

Tooth whitening gel is not for everyone. You could experience sore gums and sensitive teeth, although these are usually temporary symptoms. You may not have known this, but even the best teeth whitening gel is not effective for about one out of every five people.

One final note: when you're searching for the best tooth whitening gel, you might be surprised to learn that no over-the-counter bleaching products are endorsed by the American Dental Association (ADA). But a lack of endorsement does not necessarily mean the products are unsafe. ADA acceptance is a voluntary program, so even if there's no seal, most teeth whitening gel products are generally considered safe if used as directed. But for the greatest safety and predictability of results, you might want to start with a visit to your dentist.