Smile! How to get your teeth white -- and keep them that way

If you're smiling, it's probably for a really good reason -- but do you also find yourself worrying about your teeth? With all the options for teeth whitening available, there's no reason to let discolored teeth spoil your fun.

"People of every age can benefit from tooth bleaching. Whiter teeth can make your teeth appear straighter, it can make you feel younger and give you more confidence," say the pros at Jackson Dental. "It is an easy, affordable way to improve something about you that many people say they notice first about a person."

Here's a breakdown of options for teeth whitening, and how you can keep your pearly whites in great shape after a treatment.

Over-the-counter whitening

Many toothpastes and mouthwashes brag on their whitening qualities, but keep in mind that they will likely only remove surface stains, say Drs. Cody Bell and Dr. Rob Etherton of Jackson Dental. In addition, we only spend 45 to 60 seconds brushing or rinsing our teeth, notes Dr. Ross Bennett of Bennett Family Dentistry -- therefore, whitening products are limited to only about a minute of use, and they typically don't give significant results.

Whitening strips are another over-the-counter option. Bennett likes Crest Whitestrips, which use hydrogen peroxide on a thin strip that folds over the teeth, allowing the peroxide to work longer. However, the peroxide often leaks out onto the gums, causing irritation and sensitivity for some users.

Dental office options

* KOR Deep Bleaching. Bennett recommends this treatment for patients looking for dramatic, permanent improvement for tetracycline-stained teeth or teeth that have been resistant to other whitening products. It's a combination of in-office whitening with overnight custom-tray whitening.

* Custom tray whitening. This is available at most offices, including both Bennett and Jackson Dental. Patients are fitted for long-lasting trays, then purchase bleach refills as needed to maintain their results. This is enough for most patients, and Bell and Etherton say the results are better than over-the-counter products: With the custom fit of the trays, bleach stays on the teeth rather than rinsing away with saliva, and the solution also gets between the teeth. At Jackson Dental, patients also have the option of purchasing ready-made trays, which are a lower price, but won't fit your teeth as well as personalized trays.

* Zoom Whitening. This system uses a light to whiten the teeth. It's the most expensive option, but the fastest, says Bell and Etherton. You can improve and maintain the look with take-home custom trays. However, Bennett says scientific studies have proved the light to be ineffective long-term.

Before you decide

* Know that crowns, fillings and bondings will not respond to whitening -- only the natural teeth will be affected, says Bennett.

* Saliva contains enzymes that inactivate whitening ingredients. "In order to have the best results, the teeth and whitening agent should be isolated from saliva," says Bennett. "This allows the bleach to remain active for a longer period of time to give you whiter teeth."

* "You get what you pay for," says Bennett. Over-the-counter products (Bennett likes the Crest 3D White line) are great for touch-ups, but professional options will give the most significant and lasting results.

Avoid more staining

"As a general rule, any food or drink that would stain a white shirt will also stain your teeth," says Bennett. "Three causative agents make up the majority of stains: chromogens, tannins and acidity. Any items with those agents will stain."

Some of the biggest culprits are red wine, tea (especially hot tea), coffee, berries, smoking, soda and tomato sauces. Try to avoid these foods, or at least brush soon after eating them.