Everybody loves to smile with their mouth wide open and teeth showing. But when you have yellow teeth, this is nothing but a nightmare. White teeth help boost your self-confidence, but maintaining these pearly whites is not an easy task. Teeth going yellow happens without you even realizing the change, and this is especially true for those who smoke cigarettes and drink caffeinated drinks. Besides, teeth can also change color as you age. Keeping this in mind, we have made a short list of the three popular, easy, and effective teeth-whitening procedures. Read on:

1. Teeth-whitening toothpaste

This is one of the most common and preferred first steps for those wanting to whiten teeth at home. All toothpastes contain a mild abrasive that will help remove surface stains when you brush your teeth twice a day. Specialized whitening toothpastes, on the other hand, contain certain agents that help polish the teeth. These toothpastes do not change the color of the teeth, but merely aid in removing surface stains more thoroughly. The effects will not be immediate—they will take some time and consistency to start showing. This will also require you to forego smoking and consuming caffeinated drinks, in addition to other activities that may be staining your teeth.

2. Teeth-whitening gels and strips

These are generally over-the-counter products that contain a peroxide base. Usually, the gels are applied to the teeth with a brush. But there may be certain application steps indicated on the gel’s packaging, based on the amount of peroxide that it contains. While you can start to see changes within a few days, the effect will only last for about three to four months. The function of a whitening strip is quite similar. You will need to use these strips directly on your teeth twice a week and leave it in for about 30 minutes. Just like the gels, the effect of the strips will wear off after a few months.

3. Bleaching

Bleaching is a teeth-whitening procedure that you may have come across at a professional dentistry service. This is where the dentist makes use of stronger oral products that are available only through prescription. They typically contain hydrogen peroxide in a ratio of 15:45. An over-the-counter bleaching agent would have only about 10 to 20 percent of hydrogen peroxide. The dentist handles the bleach carefully and ensures that your gums and the rest of your mouth are not negatively affected by the use of these agents. This will require a few regular appointments and follow-ups for the effect to stay on for as long as a year.

To begin with, you can consult your dentist to check out which methods and products will work for you without causing any harm to the rest of your mouth.