Most people would like whiter teeth. With an abundance of over the counter whitening products available and media promotion of whiter is better, many will have tried one or more of these products. There is basically 2 types of staining conditions that the general population have: intrinsic or extrinsic. These over-the-counter products work well for extrinsic staining and not for others with intrinsic staining. With different bleaching strengths to whiten, it is always advisable to consult your dentist before trying these products. Teeth which have not been checked for decay or other underlying dental problems should not be whitened as this may worsen any pre-existing condition. For some individuals who have intrinsic staining, they will usually require the whitening systems available in the dental office to achieve the desired results. An examination by a dentist is always required before any professional strength whitening system is used.