Teeth whitening is an in-office cosmetic procedure that provides a simple and affordable method to whiten your teeth. It gives you the chance to have the bright smile that you’ve always wanted. At Healthy Smiles Family Dental, located in Salem, Oregon, Dr. Na Xu, D.D.S., and Dr. Mark Thomas, D.M.D. can walk you through the teeth whitening process. There is a multitude of reasons that your teeth can become discolored. Eating certain foods, like ones high in tannic acid, like grapes and tea, have coloring effects. Coffee and cigarettes are another common cause. General lack of oral maintenance, like tooth decay and worn down enamel, are also big factors. Some of the quicker ways to improve the whiteness of your smile are to cut back on the coffee and smoking. But for many patients, this isn’t quite enough. This is where professional teeth whitening comes in. It is necessary to understand that teeth whitening will not magically transform your smile. It will just allow you to greatly i...