The one inescapable fact is that, patients are very eager to have natural whiter and brighter smiles. The importance of having whiter teeth for patients and consumers has seen an enormous increase in the number of bleaching products and procedures over recent years. These include home-based products such as toothpastes, gels, and strips as well as in-office based systems where highly concentrated bleaching agents are applied under professional supervision. Whitening treatment choice depends on the type, location and intensity of the tooth discoloration. It is the dentist's responsibility to supervise the patients who seek to undergo a whitening treatment and to provide the maximum whitening within the boundaries of oral and systemic health. Tooth discolouration can be broadly classified as extrinsic or intrinsic. Knowing what caused the discolouration helps the dentist to plan the whitening technique and to provide prediction of the outcome. Therefore, the aim of this review is to evaluate the treatable discoloration reasons and provide a brief description of the current methodologies for recent bleaching treatment options. Effects of bleaching treatment on oral tissues, restorations and the current developments in bleaching agents and procedures were also evaluated.