INTRODUCTION
English novelist Laurence Sterne once wrote, "Every time a man smiles, . . . it adds something to this Fragment of Life." But that's not even half of it.

A smile can also brighten up a wedding reception or give an actor extra pizzazz. It can dazzle friends at a high school reunion and wipe years off your face. It can even give your career a boost and help make you the life of the party. (74% of adults who responded to a survey conducted by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry strongly suggest that every time a man or woman smiles it enhances that person's chances for career success. 92% claim an attractive smile is an important social asset.)

Unfortunately, for a long time a smile such as this was reserved only for the rich and those blessed by nature. But times change.

Now, thanks to the simple, affordable process of tooth bleaching, most people can have the clean, white, healthy smile they've always wanted.

As the name implies, tooth bleaching - or tooth whitening, as it is often called - is a process of lightening the color of teeth. It's used to erase stains that come from coffee, tea, red wine, cigarette smoke and chewing tobacco. And it will lighten teeth that have darkened because of age or are naturally yellow or dark. The effects generally last for five years depending on personal habits.

The process is simple, effective and produces few side effects. Plus, it's relatively inexpensive - one patient suggested the cost is "no different than going out and buying a suit."

All this explains why tooth bleaching has become the most requested form of cosmetic dentistry in such a short period of time. Ten years ago only a handful of dentists performed the procedure, according to Clinical Research Associates of Provo, Utah. Today, nearly 85 percent of U.S. dentists offer bleaching services.

There are four tooth bleaching methods to choose from, each providing varying degrees of effectiveness: Dentist In-Office Power Bleaching, Dentist Supervised Home Bleaching, Laser Bleaching, and Over The Counter Bleaching Systems.

Tooth bleaching, however, is not for everyone. It has been proven successful for 90 percent of patients. But if you have very sensitive teeth, periodontal disease, or teeth with worn enamel, your dentist may discourage bleaching.

What's more, you should only bleach your teeth under a dentist's supervision. If you attempt it on your own, you'll not only discover that most over-the-counter solutions available are ineffective, but that some can actually damage your smile.

So, contact a dentist before bleaching your teeth. And get a whiter, brighter smile that ."adds something to this Fragment of Life."

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