Teeth whitening and bleaching is one of the most popular dental procedures today and for good reason.  There are many positive results that come with whitening your teeth.  Having a bright smile is something that every person desires to have.  However, getting your teeth bleached may not be for everyone.  It is important to know what your options are, and what choice is best for you.  Before making the decision, make sure you look into the potential affects, whether they are positive or negative.

Pros:
    The most obvious and popular reason that people get their teeth bleached is for improved appearance.  Your smile is one of the first things people will notice when they meet you and having whiter teeth can make all the difference. 
    Having whiter teeth has proved to lessen the appearance of wrinkles and make them less noticeable.  It makes you look younger and gives you a youthful glow.
    When your appearance improves, so does your confidence.  When you get your teeth bleached and see the incredible difference, it is sure to raise your confidence and give you the boost you need to advance yourself in the world, whether it be in your career or personal relationships. 
    Having a brighter smile gives you a friendlier appearance and promotes health and beauty.  People are more willing to talk to and have relationships with people who seem friendly and look as if they take care of themselves and their appearance. 

Cons:
    The first negative effect you may experience after having your teeth bleached is sore teeth and/or gums.  This is not something that happens to everyone, but it is fairly common, especially if you have sensitive teeth or gum disease to begin with.  However, for most people the pain is only short term and generally only lasts up to a few hours after the bleaching.
    Perhaps the most important thing you need to consider is that the bleach will only work on teeth, not on any crowns, veneers, fillings, etc.  So be sure to realize that while your teeth will become whiter, any dental fixtures will remain their original color and you may need to be prepared to replace them to match the new shade of your teeth.
    If your teeth are seriously discolored, which could be due to your lifestyle or simply genetics, bleaching may not work for you.  However, if you are serious about changing the appearance of your teeth, make bleaching your teeth your first option.  It is the least invasive and complicated procedure, as well as the most cost effective.  Just be sure to realize that it may not work for you and that your best investment may be veneers or crowns to permanently improve your teeth.

 There are so many positive outcomes that come with getting a whiter and brighter smile through teeth bleaching, but for many people it may not be the best option.    Most individuals will find that simple teeth bleaching, whether it is an at-home or in-office treatment, will bring them their preferred result, but in certain cases it may end up causing more problems while bringing in more expenses.  Be sure to talk to your dentist and look at your individual situation before making any decisions to ensure you get your desired outcome.