Overtime, your teeth naturally become dingy and stained. Drinking certain beverages, such as coffee or red wine, worsens stains. Luckily, there are many dental whitening services available. If you aren't sure which one is right for you, check out these four popular options.

Whitening Toothpaste

Whitening toothpaste is the least expensive option because it's just toothpaste. Whitening toothpaste contains no bleaching or whitening solutions. Instead, it works like normal toothpaste to scrub away normal stains. The difference is that whitening toothpastes are more aggressive. Typically, whitening toothpaste isn't great if you have mild to severe stains. It may help if you need to improve your teeth a few shades, but it does take time.

Over-the-Counter Trays and Gels

A slightly more expensive option is over-the-counter items. You can purchase trays and gels at your local pharmacy and grocery store. Some products work well, but others are just a waste of money. If you are going to use over-the-counter trays or gels, read reviews before buying. Whichever product you choose, if it works, the results are slow but much faster than with whitening toothpaste.

Professional In-Office Whitening

The best way to whiten your teeth is with in-office whitening, but it is also the most expensive at about $650 per treatment. In many cases, however, you may only need one treatment to drastically improve the color of your smile. The gels used are strong, so they may cause some irritation or sensitivity, but in-office treatments are the safest because they are performed by a skilled professional. Even with in-office treatments, however, your stains will eventually return over time, especially if you drink stain-causing beverages.  

Take-Home Trays

There is another professional option, and it is less expensive than in-office whitening. You can purchase special trays from your dentist. Like the ones you purchase from the store, you wear them for a specific amount of time until your teeth reach the desired shade. However, these take-home trays use stronger solutions, so they work faster than over-the-counter products. They are not as fast as in-office whitening. Make sure you follow your dentist's instructions regarding how long to wear the trays, so you don't harm your enamel.

Teeth whitening is an incredibly popular cosmetic procedure, and it is affordable. Even if you can't afford the in-office whitening, however, there are many other options. For more information regarding whitening options, contact a dentist in your area today and request a consolation.