Teeth whitening is a common cosmetic dentistry procedure that can provide immediate results to help you achieve a whiter, brighter smile. Whitening treatments use either hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide to bleach the enamel and dentin to give the appearance of white teeth. When you arrive at your whitening consultation, your dentist can help you determine what shade your teeth currently are and where you want them to be. Remember – the whiteness of teeth is subjective and has little to no impact on the health of your current smile. Another thing to consider during your consultation is any existing or future crowns, bridges or fillings you may have. Whitening treatments can’t change the color of these artificial surfaces and so it’s important to consider if they show when you smile, or if you want to whiten before you decide on the shade of an upcoming restoration. While whitening is safe, one side effect some people experience is sensitivity in the days after treatment. Sensitivity can be caused by the peroxides used in the treatment and should go away on its own soon. Additionally, if you use to continue whitening at home with trays, make sure the fit of your trays are comfortable and do not cause irritation in the gums.