The question though that causes many people to hesitate is its safety, it is. Except when there is a special tooth and gum problem, where the teeth is prone to hypersensitivity and where the gum is easily irritated, over the counter teeth whitening ranks among the safest in cosmetic enhancement. Teeth whitening gels, strips, pens, gurgles and other treatments are generally designed for self help and the mix is generally very mild. Not all teeth whitening products have the same bleaching agent concentration as peroxides that are marketed whether the hydrogen or the carbamide variant ranges from 10% to 20% strength, sometimes beyond that. Shop wisely. The safest route is to choose a small bottle in the mid strength range and test it. Teeth Whitening The Causes Of Teeth Staining No matter how fastidious a person is, the teeth will always change its appearance and color. The youthful glow and sparkle of young teeth will in time lost its sheen as the enamel starts developing tiny cracks that will eventually lose the crystalline rods in the tooth, thinning the enamel making the teeth more transparent and showing through the yellowish color of the dentin. No amount of bleaching will be effective unless other procedures are conducted first. If ever, the stained tooth will only become more apparent while the surrounding teeth are bleaching white. In cases such as this, the dentist may recommend a home bleaching kit and recommend other alternatives to peroxide bleaching or an intensive home bleaching program. Teeth whitening price ranges only from $100 to $400 except for complicated procedures but those procedures are rare. The risks therefore are very much worth it. In days like this when cosmetic surgery reigns supreme, when we are judged by our looks (no matter what the cover of the book says), when Hollywood sets the standard for pleasantness and likability, and when everyone around us spends a fortune to look good, a yellow smile is not an option. Aside from those mentioned above, in-office whitening could be conducted with basically the same procedure. The teeth will be prepped by cleaning away the debris, dirt and plaque that have accumulated in-between and on the teeth. After that, a dental exam is conducted to check for cracks, tooth decay and gum problems.