These days it’s not only celebrities who have whiter-than-white smiles; it seems to have become part of the norm for people to have sparkling, stain-free teeth.

For those searching for a whiter smile, there is an array of tooth-whitening products available.

Amie Rockow-Nelson, dentist at Ames Center for Cosmetic & Family Dentistry, 415 S. Duff Ave., Suite D, recommends whitening strips, such as Crest Whitestrips, for the cash-strapped college student.

The strips are a good investment for young adults, Rockow-Nelson said, because their teeth aren’t as stained by coffee and tea.

There are downsides to the strips, including using them every night for two to three weeks.

“The material doesn’t get to all the nooks and crannies of teeth,” Rockow-Nelson said.

For students willing to spend more money to upgrade their smile, Rockow-Nelson suggests in-office whitening because of its quick results.

“It makes your teeth up to 13 shades whiter,” Rockow-Nelson said.

The procedure takes a little over an hour and an advantage is they can protect the tissues, which isn’t available if you do it on your own, Rockow-Nelson said.

The downside is its price tag of $500 to $600.

Tray whitening, which involves a custom-made tray made by a dentist to fit your teeth, was her next suggestion.

Rockow-Nelson said trays that you can buy at stores are not the best way to go since they do not have a custom fit and the solution can go in unwanted areas of the mouth.

“You should be using something recommended by a dentist,” Rockow-Nelson said.

She warned that using trays can cause sensitivity in the first few days of use, and it is essential to use the trays daily for two weeks to get a brighter smile.

Rockow-Nelson said teeth-whitening products can be abused if used too much.

According to WebMD’s Web site, warning signs such as bleeding of the gums, sensitive teeth and transparent-like teeth are signs you may be going overboard on tooth whitening.

If tooth-whitening products do not yield the desired results, Rockow-Nelson suggests porcelain veneers, which are put over teeth and fit to their custom shape, size and color.

Nicole Messamer, sophomore in kinesiology, does not care for whitening strips.

“I’m not into paying money to change the way I look,” Messamer said.

Amir Nayeri, junior in animal science, agreed.

“It’s not really a health issue,” he said.