The popularity of very white teeth has grown dramatically in recent years. From laser whitening to bleach to whitening strips, there are a number of procedures of varying intensity that can help to whiten your teeth.

Types of bleaching
There are several ways you can bleach your teeth. One way is through bleaching trays made by your dentist. With laser whitening, the dentist first places a special retractor in your mouth to keep the lips from touching the teeth during treatment. Then a translucent bleaching gel is applied to the teeth, and a laser is shone on the teeth for an hour. This light activates the gel, which in turn whitens the teeth. The dentist may decide to shine the light for longer than an hour, depending on the degree of discoloration the patient has.

Bleaching is another option for whitening the teeth and is the most common form of teeth whitening, as it is also the most cost-effective (aside from over the counter whitening strips). With this procedure, the patient visits the dentist and has impressions of your mouth taken. These impressions are then used to make a custom-made tray designed to fit your teeth exactly. From there, a bleaching gel is put in the tray and worn for an hour or two each day. Because the bleaching gel is a high concentration, results can be seen within a few days. However, it usually takes a couple of weeks to see full results. Bleaching whitens teeth about 6 shades lighter than before the process began.

Pros of bleaching teeth
For many people, the effects of aging, coffee, or other factors have taken a toll on the shade of their teeth. With so many products promoting and encouraging whiter teeth, many people feel self-conscious if their smile isn't as bright as it could be.

The main benefit of bleaching teeth is the increased confidence the patient will experience. Those who want quick, immediate results would do best with laser bleaching. Those who don't want to spend as much money or who would prefer a less dramatic method of whitening would be better off with bleaching trays.

Cons of bleaching teeth.
When done properly, there are very few cons to bleaching your teeth. The most common side effect or con is tooth sensitivity. The lighting used during laser whitening produces a very small amount of heat, but it is still a source of minimal discomfort for some people. In addition, some minor tingling can also be felt after the Zoom procedure.

With bleaching trays, keeping the bleach on for too long can also result in tooth and gum sensitivity, but this is easily remedied by only keeping the tray in for the recommended amount of time. If you are concerned with tooth sensitivity, ask your dentist to recommend or prescribe a special toothpaste designed specifically to reduce tooth sensitivity. Most dentists will tell you to wait two weeks after using the toothpaste before whitening.

Another con of bleaching is the cost. Laser whitening is much more expensive at around $1,000. Bleaching trays usually run around $500, which may or may not include the office visit.