Tooth whitening is a direction many people take when they discover their teeth have been discolored due to aging, by medications and chemicals or stained by beverages such as coffee and certain types of wine.

Whitening will not correct certain forms of discoloration. Teeth with bonding or certain tooth-colored fillings will not bleach and appear rather unsightly as a result. A dentist may recommend veneers, which cover the entire tooth, instead of whitening in these instances. However, whitening can be an ideal way to restore a healthy appearance to the teeth.

The term "teeth whitening" can refer to a number of techniques to improve the brightness of the patient's teeth. Among them are chemical whitening, mild acid whitening, abrasive teeth brightening and the newest technique.