How to Bleach Stained Teeth

Your teeth can become stained from medications, foods, drinks or smoking. Stains begin to dull the appearance of your teeth, taking away their pearly white shine and leading to discoloration. Bleaching can help to dissolve the lift the stains. Bleaching can be done at home or at your dentist's office, depending on the your preference and budget.

• 1

  Buy a home dental bleaching kit at a pharmacy. Home bleaching may take from 5 to 14 days.

• 2

  Apply the teeth whitening gel each day, as directed. Avoid consuming coffee, tea, red wine or smoking cigarettes while using the kit. These substances may have a negative effect on the bleaching.

• 3

  Purchase a whitening toothpaste and use it daily instead of your regular toothpaste. Pastes gradually whiten teeth by scrubbing away and dissolving surface stains. They work well in collaboration with other bleaching methods.

• 4

  Visit your dentist for a professional cleaning. Your dentist can remove tartar buildup and minor surface stains.

• 5

  Discuss professional bleaching options with your dentist. Your dentist will examine the stains, discuss available methods and provide costs. As of November 7, 2010, professional bleaching ranges in cost from $300 to $1,500.

• 6

  Decide on a professional bleaching option. You may be fitted for custom bleaching trays or you may be booked for one or several treatments with UV lights. Professional bleaching is faster than at-home bleaching but it does cost considerably more.

• 7

  Refrain from consuming red wine, juices, coffee, tea or smoking cigarettes; these substances cause teeth staining. If avoidance is not an option, brush immediately after you've drunk any of these liquids or smoked a cigarette.