“A smile is a fortune, but you can't sell it, you can't buy it and you can't steal it, but it isn't good to anyone until it is given away". A great smile is an appreciated asset. First impressions are important in  all aspects of life and one of the first things people see and judge when they meet someone are their eyes and smile. Everybody loves a bright white smile. There are a number of reasons why you might get your teeth whitened. Everyone is different; and just as our hair and skin colour vary, so do our teeth. Very few people have brilliant- white teeth, and our teeth can also become more discoloured as we get older. Your teeth can also  be stained on the surface through food and drinks such as tea, coffee, red wine and blackcurrant.

Smoking can also stain teeth. Calculus or tartar can also affect the colour of teeth. Some people  may have staining under the surface, which can be caused by certain antibiotics or tiny cracks in the teeth which take up stains.

Many people are satisfied with the sparkle they get from brushing twice daily and regular cleaning by a dentist. If you decide you would like to go beyond this to make your smile look brighter, you can take several approaches:

In-office/clinic bleaching
At-home bleaching
Whitening toothpastes
What should you ask your dentist?

Firstly your trained  dentist  can tell you whether whitening procedures would be effective for you. Whiteners may not correct all types of discolouration. For example, yellowish teeth will probably bleach well, brownish teeth may bleach less well and greyish teeth may not bleach well at all.

Likewise bleaching may not enhance your smile if you have had bonding or tooth-coloured fillings placed in your front teeth. The whitener will not effect the colour 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.

What is in-office bleaching?
If you are a candidate for bleaching, your dentist may suggest a procedure that can be done in his or her dental office/clinic. This procedure is called chairside bleaching and may require more than one visit. Each visit may take from 30 minutes to one hour.

During chairside bleaching, the dentist 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.

What are at-home procedures?
There are several types of products available for use at home, which can either be dispensed by your dentist or purchased over-the-counter. If you obtain the bleaching kit from your dentist, he or she can make a custom-fitted mouthguard for you that will fit your teeth precisely.

These products contain peroxide(s), which actually bleach the tooth enamel. 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

What about whitening toothpastes?
There are several whitening toothpastes in the market. Whitening toothpaste may also help the effect last, once your teeth have been professionally whitened.

What are the side effects of tooth whitening?
 Teeth can become sensitive during the period when you get them whitened. 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 your dentist.

The author is a dentist at the Heartland  clinics at Columbia Asia hospital