​Although it's not a well-known fact, it is possible to whiten your teeth during orthodontic treatment. And wouldn't you know we even have a product to help do just that?

The ADA is the largest and oldest national dental association and has been helping consumers make smart, educated choices about dental products for decades. So what do they have to say about teeth whitening?

When it comes to teeth whitening, it's important for you to understand the causes behind discoloration or staining so you and your dentist can choose the whitening treatment that will provide the best results.

Teeth whitening is done with one of two active ingredients: carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide. Some whitening products contain hydrogen peroxide and others contain carbamide peroxide. So what's the difference?

If you or someone you know has a single dark tooth, you know that it can make them self-conscious about their smile. It can also present a challenge to dental professionals as well. Thankfully, advancements in teeth whitening have allowed dental professionals to provide their patients with a solution through a variety of whitening options and techniques. Dr. Van Haywood, an expert in tooth whitening, has recommended a number of different ways dentists can help their patients whiten a single dark tooth…

Like with many other dental or medical treatments, people have wondered if teeth whitening during pregnancy and breastfeeding is safe.

Unfortunately, no teeth whitening product—professional or over-the-counter—will whiten veneers, fillings, or crowns.

If you're considering getting veneers or you need a crown or filling, talk to your dentist about teeth whitening options first. Depending on your needs, you may be able to get a confident and youthful smile without veneers.

With so many whitening products on the market and many of them sold over the counter (OTC), it is important to get educated about whitening and the differences between OTC whitening products and professionally dispensed whitening products. Start the conversation about whitening with your dentist to see which professional whitening option is best for you.

Have you ever wondered how long your whitening results will last? Regardless of the whitening product you use, the time the teeth stay white after whitening depends mainly on you and your lifestyle.

Since its creation in 1991, Opalescence has been recognized for the patented sticky, viscous consistency of its gel. This unique consistency is one of its most important features because it serves a very important purpose: it allows the gel to stay in the tray where it's placed, preventing it from running onto your soft tissues where it could cause irritation.

The question “What is the right shade of white for my teeth?” has been asked time and time again. Technically there is no “right” shade of white; however, a good rule of thumb is to try to achieve a shade of white that matches the whites of your eyes. It really all depends on how white you want your teeth to be. Some people want their teeth to be a soft, natural shade of white, while others want that striking Hollywood white.

Have you ever wondered why Ultradent created Opalescence? The answer may surprise you.

Watch Dr. Fischer, president and CEO of Ultradent Products, Inc., tell us about one of the most important reasons and inspirations that lead him to create Opalescence Tooth Whitening Systems.

For some people, teeth whitening can cause sensitivity. Most often, sensitivity is temporary and treatable, so it's important to talk to your dentist before, during, and after your whitening treatment so they can understand and treat your sensitivity issues on an individual basis.

Many whitening gels contain water—some more than others—in order to help prevent sensitivity and minimize shade relapse caused by dehydration. When we whiten our teeth, the hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide in the whitening gel have a drying effect on the teeth, causing the teeth to appear very white and potentially become sensitive.

There are many whitening toothpastes and rinses on the market that claim to whiten teeth. But are these claims true?

At what age can someone begin using teeth whitening products? This is a common question parents ask their dentists, and there really isn't a black and white answer. Before making this decision, it's important that you talk with your dentist to determine what age is right for your child. You'll likely discuss several factors that should be looked at when deciding at what age a patient can begin whitening.

Opalescence Go and Opalescence Boost 40%

Opalescence Go is the perfect jumpstart to an in-office treatment of Opalescence Boost. And it's the perfect touch-up for keeping your smile picture perfect long after.

Lots of other in-office whitening treatments use a light or a laser during the whitening process. You've probably seen commercials for these kinds of teeth whiteners. Or maybe you've even seen kiosks in the mall where they'll use a light to whiten your teeth. Are these lights and lasers really effective, though?

The most popular form of teeth whitening is the custom tray whitening method, which is considered by many to be the “gold standard” of whitening.

When you go to your dentist's office to pick up your custom trays, make sure you ask your dentist to show you how to properly load the tray to ensure a comfortable fit. You should also have your dentist show you how to clean and store your trays. Here is a brief refresher on how to load, place, and clean your trays…

You may not know this, but not everyone's teeth whiten the same way. There are a lot of factors that determine what kind of results different people might get. (This is one reason it's important to talk to your dentist about whitening before you begin.) Some peoples' teeth are more challenging to whiten than the average whitening case.