Stained or yellowish teeth are a common cosmetic concern but there are many different options for removing superficial or intrinsic stains. Before you make a decision about whitening, weigh your options and consider the pros and cons of professional services versus at-home pastes or kits.
FDA regulation
According to the Food and Drug Administration, teeth "whitening" refers to any procedure that restores teeth to their natural color by removing stains. The FDA defines "bleaching" as any process that whitens teeth beyond their natural color. The FDA does not regulate whitening products, so you should consult your dentist before using whiteners.
Stains
Dental stains are either extrinsic or intrinsic. Extrinsic stains are superficial and are caused by coffee, tea or soda consumption; smoking, foods and daily wear and tear. Extrinsic stains can usually be eliminated with at-home whitening treatments or by dental cleanings. Intrinsic stains occur on the interior of the teeth and result from excessive fluoride exposure, aging, trauma or exposure to certain minerals during development. According to the Consumer Guide to Dentistry, extrinsic stains are more difficult to remove, but supervised, long-term use of at-home whiteners can make a difference.
Toothpaste
According to Alan Carr, D.M.D., whitening toothpastes can help to eliminate surface stains caused by coffee consumption or smoking. These toothpastes include fine abrasives that polish the surface of the teeth and chemicals that dissolve stains. They generally take several weeks to work and will not change the natural color of your teeth. Although whitening pastes are usually safe for daily use, excessive use can damage your enamel. Dr. Carr recommends that you look for the American Dental Association Seal of Approval on the paste to ensure its safety.
Professional Whitening
Most dentists offer in-office bleaching procedures. The advantage of professional whitening is that your dentist will take every precaution to protect your teeth and gums, and the results should be apparent immediately. The disadvantage of professional whitening is that it can be expensive.
At Home
Your dentist may offer take-home bleach kits as an alternative to office whitening. The take-home kits are less expensive and include a peroxide gel that is left on the teeth for about an hour. You can also purchase over-the-counter kits at a local pharmacy. While professional kits use hydrogen peroxide as the primary active ingredient, over-the-counter kits use carbamide peroxide which has about 1/3 the strength of the professional kits. Over-the-counter kits, although less expensive, may be less effective and take longer to work.
Risks
Whitening and bleaching procedures can result in a temporary sensitivity to temperature and sweetness. Although the sensitivity only lasts a few days, you may want to invest in a toothpaste for sensitive teeth following the procedure. Additionally, peroxide whiteners can cause inflammation and irritation of the gums. Whitening may result in an unexpected cosmetic disadvantage. Since crowns, veneers and bonding do not respond to whiteners, your teeth may whiten unevenly.
