If whitening your teeth seems like a hassle now, consider the perils of doing so in Jackie Kennedy's era.

Dr. Jeff Golub-Evans, a cosmetic dentist on Manhattan's Upper East Side, says an elderly patient of his who worked on the design of the Kennedy White House told him that he once stumbled on a prominent member of the household coming out of the bathroom holding a bottle of Clorox. "He said to her, 'There are people who can clean that for you."'

She wasn't scrubbing the basin, she explained. Rather, she said, she drank so much coffee and red wine that, once a week or so, she poured a capful of Clorox in a glass of water, dabbed a cotton swab in it and rubbed it over her teeth.

Mercifully, less toxic methods abound now. But the range of options can make the mind grow foggy.

Golub-Evans, whose celebrity clients include Usher, Hugh Jackman and Kim Cattrall, offers his guidance with minty-refreshing candor.

"Peroxide is peroxide," he says. "Whether it's in drugstore whitening strips or a professional bleaching gel, it's the same ingredient, just in different concentrations. Strips can actually get your teeth almost as white as a pro treatment, it just takes longer."

So, is time or money more precious to you? And keep in mind that not everyone is a good candidate for whitening (teeth with a grayish cast, for example, might not get results). But if you decide to pursue it, Golub-Evans' general overview might help you decide what's right for you. Then, once you do bleach, avoid most colored mouthwashes. "Those are the most insidious, especially alcohol-based ones," Golub-Evans says. "The alcohol evaporates, and the colorant, just like red wine, is what's left on your teeth."

Whitening stripsProcess: You affix store-bought strips containing peroxide to teeth at home.Peroxide strength: 9 to 12%Whitening ability: 3 to 6 shades lighterCost: About $45Time commitment: 30 minutes a day for up to two weeksTo consider: "Strips are my first choice for over-the-counter," Golub-Evans says, adding that he recommends the Crest brand. "I don't work for them, but I like the product very much, because it's a measured dose of peroxide."

In-office bleachingProcess: A dentist paints teeth with a peroxide gel, then shines a blue light on them to accelerate the bleaching.Peroxide strength: 15 to 35%Whitening ability: 6 to 10 shades lighterCost: Generally, at least $500Time commitment: About an hourTo consider: Many practices are offering discounts right now; it's a good time to shop around. Also, this method can cause less irritation than other whitening methods, Golub-Evans says.

Take-home traysProcess: A dentist custom-fits bleaching trays that are to be worn regularly at home.Peroxide strength: 5 to 11%Whitening ability: 6 to 10 shades lighterCost: $200 to $600Time commitment: 30 minutes a day for up to two weeksTo consider: Your self-discipline. Golub-Evans says his dentist has made several bleaching trays for him in the last five years. "I never follow through."