Bright, beautiful teeth begin with basic care. Brushing twice a day with a good toothpaste, flossing, and regular visits to your dentist for a professional cleaning are usually all you need. However, sometimes you may want a whiter smile than the basics provide.

Our East Los Angeles dentist can give you the best advice on whitening procedures. There are different types of discolorations, and not all whiteners work for each one. If you have fillings or crowns, they will not be affected by the whitening process and may appear a different color after the treatment.

There are three basic methods of whitening. Any method you choose should carry the ADA seal of approval.

Professional whitening, called chair-side bleaching, is the quickest route to a white smile. Your dentist will apply a gel to your teeth and enhance its action with special lighting. You may have to visit your dentist more than once to achieve your desired shade.

There are many effective products on the market for at-home whitening: trays, strips, and gels.

Trays usually contain carbamide peroxide. You may be required to use trays twice a day for a period of two weeks. Our East Los Angeles cosmetic dentist can also fit a custom mouth-guard for you to use at home with a whitening gel.

Flexible plastic strips coated with hydrogen peroxide are another option. Strips are usually worn for 30 minutes at a time for a period of several days. The strips are fit tightly to your teeth and hold the whitener in place.

If you only have a few teeth that need whitening, a paint-on whitener may be your best choice. You simply paint the peroxide gel onto your teeth, wait for it to dry, then brush regularly.

Unlike bleaching, whitening toothpastes lighten teeth by abrasive action to remove surface stains. While not creating as dramatic a difference as bleaches, toothpaste may be less irritating to many people and does not alter the color of the teeth.