Are you wondering where to get the best price for teeth whitening?
You can have straight teeth with no cavities, chips, or wear and tear but if your teeth are discolored, it still puts a hindrance in making a good first impression. So it is no wonder that some of us dream about having that perfectly white and bright smile that celebrities flash on the red carpet.
Wanna know a secret? Those white teeth are far from natural. Natural teeth are far from white. In fact, the natural color of our teeth has a yellowish tint. All these celebrities go through teeth whitening treatments to have their bright and white winning smile.
You can use these teeth whitening methods not only to get whiter teeth but also to get rid of stubborn stains and tooth discoloration that have dimmed your smile for years. You have a lot of teeth whitening options from professional treatment done by a licensed dentists to over the counter teeth whitening products that you can do by yourself at home.
If you are wondering how much does teeth whitening cost, you do not have to look far. In this article, we discuss not only how much does teeth whitening cost but also answer some questions you have concerning the process of whitening teeth.
How much does teeth whitening cost?
The teeth whitening cost that you will spend depends on different factors. There are different ways to whiten teeth and each method comes with a different price.
So, what we are going to give you is the average teeth whitening costs for each treatment. Take note that these figures are just estimates and that the final teeth whitening cost will greatly depend on the number of whitening sessions you need, the bleaching agent you use, and the kind of equipment needed to perform them.
Professional teeth whitening
The average teeth whitening cost for an in office teeth whitening usually costs between $300 and $1500 on average. Procedures that reach the thousand price range usually involve laser whitening.
Take-home teeth whitening kits
The take-home teeth whitening kits that you can get from a dental professional usually costs about $100 to $400.
Whitening trays
The price for one-size-fits-all whitening trays can be anywhere between $10 and $30. Custom whitening trays will cost about $100 to $600.
Whitening strips
A package contains several whitening strips and the average cost of this package can cost anywhere between $10 and $50.
Whitening toothpaste
Most whitening toothpastes costs just anywhere between $3 and $15. The price usually depends on the brand or intensity of whiteness.
How do teeth whitening treatments work?
Today, there are different ways to get whiter teeth. This treatment is not just limited to dental offices anymore and they are now more affordable. Below are the options that you have if you want to whiten teeth or get rid of teeth staining.
Professional teeth whitening
The most common and effective way to whiten your teeth is to get professional teeth whitening treatment from a dentist. But take note that this is also the most expensive way to whiten your teeth. All in all, it is still worth it since it is more effective and it lasts longer.
Your chosen dental professional makes use of a high-concentration peroxide bleaching agent and they use it on your teeth for about 15 to 20 minutes. So, it takes less than an hour to have a bright and white smile if you take this option.
Some dental professionals are also trained to use a laser teeth whitening treatment. This comes with a higher cost of course but the good thing about this is that it does not damage the enamel of your teeth.
Take-home teeth whitening kits
These are teeth whitening kits that you can do at home but unlike home teeth whitening kits that you can buy over the counter, the take-home teeth whitening kits come from the dentist. It is safe to say that they have a higher quality.
Here, the dentist will provide you all the necessary materials you need to whiten your teeth at home and will teach you how to use them properly. Usually, the dentist gives a peroxide gel along with the kit that comes with a low concentration. The whitening gel is usually applied to the teeth with the help of a customized tray.
Whitening trays
You can do this whitening treatment from home but it takes a longer treatment time. When it comes to whitening trays, there are two options: one-size-fits-all or customized.
The one-size-fits-all whitening tray may be cheaper but it is not recommended since they will not fit snugly on your teeth. This usually leads to a messier application, gum irritation, and an uneven whitening result.
To get custom whitening trays, you will need to go to the dental office so that they can create an impression of your teeth. This will then be used to create a custom tray that can fit around your teeth perfectly.
Whitening strips
If you are looking for an affordable way to whiten your teeth then teeth whitening strips may be the answer for your discolored teeth. You can buy them over the counter and order them online.
To use whitening strips, you just have to place them over your teeth and leave them there for about half an hour. Whitening strips often work well but some people find it difficult to keep them on their teeth for 30 minutes.
Whitening toothpaste
The simplest and cheapest way to whiten your teeth is to brush them using whitening toothpaste. Whitening toothpaste does not really change the natural color of your teeth or lighten deeper stains. They merely have abrasives that polish the teeth and peroxide that helps dissolve the stain. The whitening agents involved are usually low dose bleaching agents.
But if you only have light surface stains or just simply maintain the color of your teeth, then a whitening toothpaste can work for you. Take note that the most aggressive whitening toothpaste has blue covarine in its ingredients. It will make your teeth less yellowish although it will not actually remove the stains.
What causes teeth discoloring?
Genetics
Some of us have darker teeth than other people because it is in our genes. The way our teeth develop has got a lot to do with the way our genes work. Tooth anatomy is something that you can inherit from your parents so if your parents have darker colored teeth, then there is a chance that your dental problem was inherited.
Eating habits
One of the first things that you should consider when looking for the root cause of teeth stains that you may have is the food that you eat. Certain foods and drinks have tannins and this chemical can attach and settle on your teeth and cause tooth staining. Coffee, tea, and wine have tannins so if you regularly consume these drinks, you are at risk of having yellow teeth.
Smoking
Do you smoke? There is a big chance that your teeth are discolored. The nicotine in the cigarettes that you smoke leaves brown deposits on the surface of your teeth. That’s just one more reason for you to quit smoking.
Teeth grinding
Do you have the habit of grinding your teeth? The habit can wear out the enamel on your teeth. Your enamel is the hard white substance that serves as your teeth’s first defense. The next layer under it is the yellow dentin.
So, if you grind the enamel away, the enamel erosion will weaken your teeth and it will show more of the yellow dentin layer. It will make it look like you have tooth discoloration.
Medication or drugs
Some prescription medications, drugs, and over the counter products have chemicals. These chemicals may cause discoloration on your teeth. Some of these medicines that can stain your teeth are tetracycline and chlorhexidine.
Aging
As you grow older, your teeth lose their white color. This is why you barely see old people with perfectly white teeth. This is a natural process of aging. Old people who go through teeth whitening treatments often do not have the results they expect because their teeth are already weak.
Fluoride
I understand the confusion. Fluoride is good for your teeth but too much of a good thing can also be a bad thing. Too much fluoride can cause unhealthy teeth and bones. You can get too much fluoride if you are exposed to water that has high soil fluoride levels or if you keep using a fluoride-based mouthwash.
Cancer treatment
An unfortunate side effect of cancer treatment is that it can deteriorate the state of your teeth. Common signs are xerostomia or dry mouth and tooth decay – both conditions lead to discoloration in the teeth.
Swimming
People who often swim in chlorinated pools get teeth stains. The stain usually stays in the front teeth. People who take swimming lessons and athlete swimmers often have this problem. Fortunately, the stain is just superficial and it can be dealt with easily if you spot it right away.
Trauma and nerve death in the tooth
Every time you get hit in the mouth, your teeth get trauma and put it at risk for tooth death. Traumatic injuries usually do not show their effect on your teeth right away. Eventually, you will see your tooth turn darker compared to its surrounding teeth in a few years. You can tell if there is a nerve death on your tooth if it turns into a brown, gray, or blue hue.
Tooth decay
Tooth decay does not always cause discoloration on the teeth but it is possible – especially if the tooth decay is large. If you feel that you have a tooth that is discolored, you should have it checked right away to see if it is caused by tooth decay so that you can still save it.
How to prevent tooth discoloration
Do regular dental cleanings
If you schedule regular cleanings for your teeth, the dental cleaning will polish away any superficial stain that has accumulated on the surface of your teeth. Getting regular cleanings will lessen the cost of teeth whitening for you in the long run.
Drink water after dark drinks
Every time you drink something dark like coffee, red wine, or tea, it is best to rinse off with water. This will not completely prevent staining but it will greatly reduce the number of stain particles that will attach to your enamel. Or better yet, drink from a straw if possible so that the drink does not come in contact with your teeth.
Avoid high acidic food or drinks
Eating too much food and drinks that have high acidic content thins out your enamel and makes any stains that are already there more prominent. You can prevent discoloration by avoiding most of these foods.
Use an electric toothbrush
To clean your teeth effectively, use an electric toothbrush to remove all the excess particles from the surface of your teeth.
Brush and rinse after swimming in a chlorinated pool
If you do a lot of swimming in a chlorinated pool, you should rinse out your mouth with water then brush your teeth to prevent stains.
FAQs
How long does teeth whitening last?
This will depend on what teeth whitening method you chose to whiten your teeth and your lifestyle and diet. Most teeth whitening results last for half a year to a couple of years.
But if you are a smoker or if you drink a lot of coffee, tea, or wine, likely, your whitening treatment will only last for a few months.
The good news is that you can make the whitening results last longer by giving them a couple of touch-ups every three to six months.
The recommended method to have a long-lasting white smile is to get your teeth whitening professionally done then do the touch-ups with a take-home kit or home kits.
Is in office teeth whitening or professional teeth whitening worth it?
Given how expensive professional teeth whitening costs are, it is understandable that most people would be hesitant to spend so much money just to get their teeth whitened.
But getting a dental professional do it for you is actually worth it. They use better products like whitening gel and they know just how to use them properly without putting your gums or enamel at risk. They also make use of medical-grade tools to do the treatment. It is not only a more effective procedure – it is also long-lasting and safer.
Another advantage of getting professional teeth whitening is that it is faster. You see the startling results right away. So, it is the best solution if you have a tight deadline.
Can I whiten my teeth when I had dental work done?
If you have dental implants, crowns, or veneers, it would be very risky to get teeth whitening treatment especially if you do it by yourself. There is a huge chance that you will get different colored teeth. Your real teeth may come out to be whiter than the fake teeth that you got during your dental worth. Dental professionals often call these “technicolor teeth.”
If you had some dental work done, it is probably best to get a consultation from a dental professional first for professional medical advice. They know best if an even whitening job is possible. Chances are, if ever you are given the signal, you can only do in office whitening treatments or professional whitening procedures to ensure an even job.
Are there risks involved with teeth whitening?
Every medical procedure comes with a few risks and teeth whitening is no exception. Especially if you are doing it through home kits instead of getting a professional whitening job done.
Bleach is a very powerful whitening solution. Most people who have done teeth whitening treatments often complain of tooth sensitivity. Exposing their teeth to hot or cold temperatures or adding pressure or merely touching them can cause pain.
Luckily enough the sensitivity is not permanent. They often last for just a few days after the treatment and drugs can be used to alleviate the pain related to it.
Is teeth whitening covered by dental insurance?
Sadly, teeth whitening will not be covered by dental insurance. The treatment is not a medical necessity so it is considered to be a cosmetic treatment. So, you have no choice but to pay for the whitening process out of your own pocket.
Who should not get teeth whitening?
Teeth whitening is not really recommended for anyone. If you have any gum disease, tooth decay, hypersensitive teeth, or excessive gum recession or erosion, teeth whitening is not recommended for you.
But this does not mean that you will never be able to do teeth whitening. You just have to deal with these active issues first before you get teeth whitening treatment.
Teeth whitening is also not recommended for children. This is because their teeth are still developing and the nerves are still hypersensitive. If you bleach their teeth too early, it could lead to them living with sensitive teeth for the rest of their lives.
Conclusion
Teeth whitening is a cosmetic procedure. It does nothing to improve or affect your dental health or how you use your teeth. But it is very useful to improve the way your teeth look by turning your teeth into pearly whites.
Having a whiter and brighter smile greatly improves not only your looks but also your self-confidence and mental health. Investing on your entire smile look is no waste of money! If you want your teeth whitened, there are a lot of teeth whitening procedure and methods to choose from to give yourself a smile makeover.