Seems like everyone’s chomping at the bit to get whiter teeth.

From professional in-office procedures to over-the-counter strips, gels and toothpastes, there are two main types of whitening products.

The toothpastes remove surface stains by polishing with chemical agents or mild abrasives. These don’t alter the tooth’s natural color and only lighten appearance slightly.

The other type of whitener contains carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide that can lighten tooth color by several shades.

Most products bleach only natural tooth enamel, so if you have tooth-colored fillings, crowns or veneers, the color may be uneven.

There’s no evidence of long-term safety and effectiveness of tooth-whitening. All methods are considered temporary. And tooth sensitivity and gum irritation are common.

One way to keep your teeth their natural whitest is to avoid factors that cause stains from cumulative exposure. Coffee, tea, cola, red wine, dark juices and smoking all contribute to stained or yellow teeth.

Brushing regularly and flossing daily helps to prevent not only cavities, but also discoloration of the teeth you’ll have for a lifetime.