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Most stains are caused by age, tobacco, coffee, or tea. Other types of stains can be caused by antibiotics, such as tetracycline; or too much fluoride.

A popular method for treating moderately stained or discolored teeth is bleaching. These stains often cannot be removed with regular professional cleanings. The most popular methods of bleaching are the at-home method and the in-office method. There are a few good products out on the market that are dispensed by dentists.

In-office:
The two most popular types are Zoom (1, 2 and the latest APL) and gel. They both involve sitting in the dentist office for about 1.5 hours. The actual bleaching time is 45-60 minutes and you can get 6-10 shades lighter. We give you trays to use as touch-up for future use.

At home:
First, the dentist makes a mold of your teeth and makes a custom mouth tray. The mouth tray will hold the bleaching material against the tooth surface without concentrating the agent on the gum tissue. If the material contacts the gum tissue to long the gum tissue can be irritated or even burned. The tray is worn 1/2 hour to 2 hours per day and a noticeable improvement usually takes place within 2 weeks. Some bleaching agents say you can wear them all night but your teeth may get very sensitive after doing this. You may continue using the product until you reach your desired whiteness. Sometimes you cannot achieve the desired whiteness and will have to settle for something less. The dentist may have you come in periodically to check the progress and the reaction to the gum tissue, if any. After you have lightened your teeth, you may need to periodically (once every couple of months) bleach them for a session to keep the whiteness.

In some studies, patients have experienced uncomfortable short-term side effects when having teeth bleached. Hydrogen peroxide can increase temperature sensitivity in the teeth, particularly at higher concentrations, and night guards often cause gum irritation.

And overzealous use of over-the-counter home bleaching products can wear away tooth enamel, especially with solutions that contain acid. Therefore, bleaching is a procedure best done under the care of an oral health care professional.

Still, the general health risks of bleaching systems are minimal as far as your body is concerned. Applications are controlled so that you don't swallow hydrogen peroxide.