If you’ve recently noticed that your pearly whites would better be described as pearly yellows or worse yet, nearly browns, then this article is for you. Bringing your teeth back to their pre-nicotine, pre-Starbucks whiteness isn’t as simple as going to your local drug store and picking up some whitening strips. Although at-home bleaching kits and whitening toothpastes are readily available, their effectiveness is questionable. In-office professional whitening systems, such as Zoom! or BriteSmile, are the way to go for the best immediate and long-term results.

Keep in mind there are many variables that will help determine the right teeth-whitening method for you. What color are your teeth? What is the cause of the discoloration? How much money and time are you willing to spend on whitening? Is this something you want to accomplish while watching an episode of Heroes? Or are you willing to spend a few hours in the dental chair? And last but not least, how do you know which ones really work and which ones will leave you yellow-toothed and broke.

Your best bet is to find a dentist who is knowledgeable about the latest and greatest teeth-whitening techniques. Spend some time together, give a great big smile and let the evaluation begin. Once evaluated, your dentist will make some recommendiations as well as review the pros and cons of each option. They will also be able to steer you away from the companies who promise you whiter teeth and then don’t deliver. Don’t get me wrong, your teeth will look whiter, in comparison to your beat red face at the realization you’ve just been duped. One company very popular among the complaint boards is Dazzle White. So do your research! And then get to your dentist so your pearly whites can live up to their name.