Teeth whitening products, which contain peroxides, actually change your natural tooth color anywhere from five to seven -- but even up to twelve -- shades brighter.

Chairside whitening involves applying a protective gel to your gums to protect the soft tissues in the mouth. A bleaching agent is then applied to the teeth, and a special light is used to enhance the chemical action.

In general, bleaching works for most people. Whitening is most effective if your teeth are darkened from age, coffee, tea or smoking. Teeth darkened with the color of yellow or brown respond better to lightening. Other types of gray stains caused by fluorosis, smoking or tetracycline can be lightened, but with less-than-satisfactory results.

If you're interested in brightening your smile, have your teeth evaluated by us. Not everyone is a good candidate for bleaching. In some cases of serious discoloration and pitted teeth, for example, veneers or crowns may be more appropriate than bleaching. Moreoever, crowns, bridges, and fillings do not lighten, so it may be necessary to replace dental work to make it blend with the new color of your whiter teeth. An X-ray of your teeth may be the only accurate way of making a true assessment.