The idea that "white teeth equals clean teeth" is deeply rooted in our society. Lipsticks look great next to whiter teeth, and a big bright smile always looks awesome in a photo. A healthy-looking, white smile can do a lot for your overall image and confidence.

People have invested thousands in professional tooth whitening, and this route may be the best bet if you want ultra-bright results that last for months (and if your budget allows), but for many of us professional tooth whitening just isn't an option.

At-home tooth whitening kits have become increasingly popular in the last several years because they are for the most part easy to use and effective. Depending on your starting tooth color, you may not get the snow-white results shown on the T.V. commercials, but you'll probably notice that these products diminish stains and give your teeth a brighter appearance.

At-home tooth whiteners aren't perfect; some are messy, some are hard to keep on your teeth, some can cause temporary discomfort or sensitivity issues. When shopping for a tooth whitener, think of how much time you're willing to spend using it, the sensitivity level of your teeth, and how the method will fit into your daily (or nightly) routine.

Whitening Strips

Whitening strips are the most popular form of at-home tooth whitening. White strips are thin pieces of plastic covered in whitening solution that are applied to teeth for a specified amount of time each day over a period of several days. At the end of the treatment period, you should see visibly whiter teeth. White strips vary in strength and in the time it takes to complete a course of treatment.