Teeth whitening refers to a variety of processes that aim to make someone’s natural teeth appear brighter and whiter. Teeth whitening methods include sanding down stains, bleaching, ultraviolet (UV) light therapy, and more.

Many different teeth whitening products are available, and you can try many approaches at home. You can also get your teeth whitened at your dentist’s office.

Intrinsic stains

Stains that are inside your tooth enamel are called intrinsic stains. Intrinsic staining is sometimes present even before your teeth erupt from your gums when you’re a kid.

These stains can result from antibiotic use, high levels of fluoride exposure, and your tooth enamel growing thinner as you age. Intrinsic staining can sometimes even be genetic, according to 2014 researchTrusted Source.

Extrinsic stains are on the outside of your tooth. These happen due to environmental exposure to things that leave discoloration on your tooth enamel. Coffee, artificial food colorings, and smoking can all cause this type of staining.

Tooth yellowing can occur due to:

• Aging
• Genetic Predisposition
• Certain Medications (Such as Tetracycline)
• Lifestyle habits (including drinking coffee or soda and smoking)

Many over-the-counter (OTC) and in-office treatment options use hydrogen peroxide to break down and minimize stains on your teeth. Carbamide peroxide, another oxidizing ingredient, is also often used.

In-office teeth whitening may require several sessions in order for you to get your teeth as white as you would like, according to 2014 researchTrusted Source. These sessions can be expensive and aren’t often covered by insurance because they are not part of a routine dental cleaning.

Power bleaching at the dentist’s office involves rinsing your teeth with a powerful hydrogen peroxide solution for 20 to 30 minutes. Laser therapy is sometimes included in in-office tooth whitening sessions, though there is currently no strong research proving that this has any particular whitening benefit.

The most common side effect of teeth whitening is temporary tooth sensitivity. Mouth and gum irritation is also common. Hydrogen peroxide especially can cause this reaction.