Baking soda is an abrasive, and peroxide is a bleaching agent. If you don’t like the taste of baking soda (and we can hardly say we blame you), many whitening toothpastes also contain these ingredients.

For deeper stains, you might try an at-home bleaching kit. These come in a variety of forms including bite trays, stick-on strips, and brush-on gels. These at-home kits are good for most tooth whitening needs, but just to be clear, some of these are only good for your very front teeth. Anyone with a wide smile might need more.{relatedarticles}

Finally, there are in-office bleaching treatments that can only be administered by a dentist or oral hygienist. These treatments will usually involve the use of special gels or cleaners, and may also require lasers or UV light to get to the deep-down stains. These treatments can be expensive and may not be covered by your dental insurance.

Bright, white teeth are the key to an inviting and attractive smile. With a little care and prevention, it’s not hard to keep your grin looking great; but if stains do appear, you’ve got options. Just remember to talk to your dentist before starting any whitening treatment, and then smile with confidence!