Before getting your teeth whitened, do your homework
Nearly all adults believe a person's smile is an important social asset, that it makes a person more appealing to the opposite sex and that a person's smile can even help or hinder a career, according to the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry.
It's no wonder, then, that people are flocking to dentists' offices in searching of brighter pearly whites. Advancements in cosmetic dentistry have made it possible for people to brighten their teeth by several shades, removing stains left by coffee, tea, colas, wine, smoking and even natural discoloration that comes with age.
Treatments and costs vary, so it's important to do your homework and have a discussion with your dentist about whether whitening — and in what form — is right for you.