What you should know about getting your teeth whitened

Everyone wants a set of pearly whites, similar to those that actors and others in the public eye have. But getting to that level of sparkling white often requires outside assistance, be it from a dentist or by using an at-home tooth whitening procedure. Tooth whitening is often portrayed as an easy, low-risk procedure, and yet as with anything else, there are pros and cons. For anyone contemplating undergoing a tooth whitening process, there are certain things you should be aware of.

There may be side effects. While whitening products are safe to use, according to the American Dental Association, this does not necessarily mean that they are not without any kind of side effects. This may include teeth sensitivity, whereby those who've undergone a whitening procedure may feel tingling or pain after drinking or eating a hot or cold beverage or food. Your gums may also be more prone to irritation, due to the chemicals used in some kits that have the potential to irritate the mouth. Furthermore, mouth trays that do not fit properly can also cause gum irritation and bleeding – this is why you should make sure that you study what is involved in the procedure and if you choose to go the dentist route, go to someone that you know has experience in this area.

Teeth whitening requires upkeep. It is tempting to think that once you've had your teeth whitened, that's it. They'll remain a wonderful sparkling white for years to come. Unfortunately, this is not the case, especially if you decide to undertake the process with a kit at home. While these types of treatments don't last as long as those procedures performed by a dentist, the advantage is that they're relatively inexpensive and thus new kits and products can be purchased that will extend the whiteness of one's teeth. In-office whitening procedures such as bleaching or laser whitening last longer, but may still require future maintenance.

All products are not the same. While there is a certain level of standardization in the procedures performed in the dentist's office, this cannot be said for the whitening kits and products found over-the-counter in the drugstore. Not only do these items have differing levels of effectiveness, but some can have little or no impact in terms of whitening teeth, leaving the user discouraged. It's important for the consumer to do his or her research, looking at the active ingredients in any products and weighing their potential for whitening against what's promised.

Above all, it's important to have realistic expectations, as not only is whitening often a multi-step process, but the level of tooth whiteness achieved may be tempered by what is possible without more expensive and time-consuming procedures.

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