Everybody loves a bright white smile, and there are a variety of products and procedures available to help you improve the look of yours.

Many of our patients are satisfied with the sparkle they get from brushing twice daily with a fluoride-containing toothpaste, cleaning between their teeth once a day and the regular cleanings they receive at Dr. Clausen's office. If you decide you would like to go beyond this to make your smile look brighter, you should investigate all of your options

You can take several approaches to whiten your smile:

• In-office bleaching
• At-home bleaching
• Whitening Toothpastes

What should you ask Dr. Clausen? You may want to start by asking which whitening procedures would be effective for you. Whiteners may not correct all types of discoloration. For example, yellowish hued teeth will probably bleach well, brownish-colored teeth may bleach less well, and grayish-hued teeth may not bleach well at all. Likewise, bleaching may not enhance your smile if you have had bonding or tooth-colored fillings placed in your front teeth. The whitener will not effect the color of these materials, and they will stand out in your newly whitened smile. In these cases, you may want to investigate other options, like porcelain veneers or dental bonding.

If you are a candidate for bleaching, Dr. Clausen may suggest a procedure that can be done in his office. This procedure is called chairside bleaching and may require more than one office visit. Each visit may take from 30 minutes to one hour.

During chairside bleaching, Dr. Clausen or a qualified member of his team will apply either a protective gel to your gums or a rubber shield to protect the oral soft tissues. A bleaching agent is then applied to the teeth, and a special light may be used to enhance the action of the agent.

Lasers have been used during tooth whitening procedures to enhance the action of the whitening agent. In Dr. Clausen's office, we use the popular and effective Zoom! whitening system.

There are several types of products available for use at home, which can be dispensed by Dr. Clausen.

Bleaching solutions contain peroxide(s), which actually bleach the tooth enamel. These products typically rely on percent carbamide peroxide as the bleaching agent, carbamide peroxide comes in several different concentrations (10%, 16%, 22%).

Peroxide-containing whiteners typically come in a gel and are placed in a mouthguard. Usage regimens vary. Some products are used for about twice a day for 2 weeks, and others are intended for overnight use for 1-2 weeks. Dr. Clausen, or a qualified member of his team, can make a custom-fitted mouthguard for you that will fit your teeth precisely.

You also may want to speak with Dr. Clausen should any side effects become bothersome. For example, teeth can become sensitive during the period when you are using the bleaching solution. In many cases, this sensitivity is temporary and should lessen once the treatment is finished. Some people also experience soft tissue irritation—either from a tray that doesn’t fit properly or from solution that may come in contact with the tissues. If you have concerns about such side effects, you should discuss them with Dr. Clausen right away.

All toothpastes help remove surface stain through the action of mild abrasives. "Whitening" toothpastes have special chemical or polishing agents that provide additional stain removal effectiveness. Unlike bleaches, these products do not alter the intrinsic color of teeth.

When considering whitening your teeth, be sure to consult with Dr. Clausen and discuss which method would be best for you.