Think of it as dissolving away the tenacious stains from food or smoking that form on teeth, the kind that don't come off with regular brushing or even a professional cleaning.  Whiteners used by dentists are much more powerful than anything you can buy in a pharmacy, grocery store, or off a television commercial.

Whitening may be a good option for someone with minimal dental needs and with generally good dental health.  It may NOT be used -- at least not immediately -- for someone who has extensive decay or other, larger dental issues, such as uncontrolled bone loss around the teeth.  Whitening will even prove harmful for such individuals.

At The Gentle Dentist, we do not advocate whitening for everyone who has dark-shaded teeth.  One of the most important determinants for success in whitening is proper case selection:  picking who will respond the best.  However, for those who are not candidates for whitening, other esthetic options, such as veneers may be more advisable.