There are many ways to achieve the white teeth of your dreams, and hundreds of products to choose from. As with most things in life, you get what you pay for. The top of the line tooth whitening treatment is an in office laser whitening which will run you about $600.00 Expensive for some, but it gives guaranteed and immediate results. The cheapest method of tooth whitening is the use of whitening toothpaste. This is the cheapest, and the slowest method to obtain whiter looking teeth.

Whitening toothpastes are a very low cost and low tech way to make your teeth look whiter. With whitening toothpaste it can take up to six months of use twice a day to see what some manufacturers call the final whitening results. Whitening toothpastes do not actually increase the whiteness of the teeth, they work by removing stains from the teeth which in turn make the teeth appear whiter. A lot of people whiten their teeth initially with a in office laser whitening or with a gel tray and then use whitening toothpaste to help keep their smile white.

The success of any whitening toothpaste is directly related to how long and how often you brush your teeth. Some dental health professionals warn that the use of toothpastes in an effort to reduce staining and yellowing of teeth can cause the loss of tooth enamel due to over-brushing. Whitening toothpastes are made with chemicals and abrasives. Brushing too vigorously can lead to the loss of tooth enamel. Tooth enamel cannot be replaced. If you have sensitive teeth you may not be able to use whitening toothpaste.

Be aware that whitening toothpastes only affect the outer layer of enamel. This can cause the yellowness of the deeper layers of the teeth to become more pronounced.

Daily brushing with a regular toothpaste twice a day in concert with regular dental cleanings can help make your teeth look whiter, without fear of enamel loss. Also, rinsing your mouth out after drinking dark beverages such as coffee, tea or red wine can help prevent staining from occurring.

Before you start any whitening product you should have a thorough examination by your dentist. Make sure that you teeth and gums are healthy before you start. Always follow your dentist's recommendations.