If your teeth aren't as white as you would like them to be, here are some bright ideas for you to try. Use a whitening toothpaste for three weeks. Be sure to select one that is non-abrasive so you will not harm the enamel on your teeth. If the results are successful, start using your regular brand again, alternating it with the whitening toothpaste.

If you do not achieve satisfactory results, there are other options your dentist can offer. If you have dental insurance, check your policy to see if your plan covers these procedures. If the procedures are not covered, ask your dentist if he/she can break down your payments over time to something that you can afford. There are three whitening procedures that most dentists offer:

• The dentist can provide a mouthguard filled with a whitening formula. It can be worn at home for several hours each day.



• A bleaching procedure can be done in the dentist's office. This process will usually need to be repeated to maintain the whiteness level of the initial bleaching.



• A laser whitening procedure is also now available. This technique is the fastest, but ask your dentist for referrals from other patients who have had this procedures done. Get their feedback, and examine "before and after" photos of the teeth to be sure that this technique is right for you.