If you have discolored teeth, you might be suffering from self-esteem issues. To solve this, whitening your teeth should be your next project, so to attain optimal self-confidence. Luckily, teeth whitening is a very popular procedure in the US, with several dental institutions offering the services. We understand that you might be willing and ready to whiten your teeth but wondering whether the process is expensive or not.
The truth is that the cost of teeth whitening depends on your method of whitening treatment. If you are using home remedies to whiten your teeth, the overall cost will be fairly cheaper compared to whitening your teeth through a dentist. The cost of whitening your teeth through a dentist will also vary, depending with your dentist among other factors discussed below in this article. If you are looking forward to whitening your teeth, this blog is here to help you understand how much does teeth whitening cost, what’s involved in the procedure and whether the procedure is worth the cost. Let’s dig into the basics!
What Is Teeth Whitening?
Teeth whitening is a varying procedure that is conducted with the aim of removing stains or discoloration, leaving your teeth with its original color. Teeth whitening is a varying procedure that entails different approaches. You can opt to whiten your teeth using home remedies, over-the-counter or visit a dentist for the procedure.
How Does Teeth Whitening Work?
As we have mentioned earlier, teeth whitening procedure works by removing stains from your teeth, leaving them naturally white. If you are using over the counter option to whiten your teeth, most of these products have baking powder, which is a very effective component in scrubbing away stains.
There are also teeth whitening toothpastes, which contain charcoal. Charcoal is also known to contain abrasive properties that will scan off stains from your teeth, leaving them naturally bright.
Besides natural remedies, you can also whiten your teeth through a dentist. In most cases, dentists use high concentrated ingredients or bleaching agents to achieve a bright, white look. These are agents like: powerful hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide solutions. For this to work, your dentist will first examine your teeth and tell whether you are suitable for the treatment or not. He or she will then put a gel or rubber shield to protect your gums. Afterwards, they will apply hydrogen peroxide, carbamide peroxide or any other active agent in your teeth. These active agents will be broken down, releasing oxygen that gets into your teeth’s enamel, leaving your teeth brighter.
What Is The Professional Cost Of Teeth Whitening?
Typically, the professional cost of teeth whitening is the cost incurred when you whiten your teeth through a dentist. Averagely, you might spend $650 to visit a doctor. However, you might end up spending more or less depending with the location of your dental clinic, type of stains or method of teeth whitening used. Like we have stated above, a dentist may use active agents to whiten your teeth. This is through a professional whitening method, known as ZOOM.
This is an FDA approved professional method of teeth whitening, that takes your dentist up to one hour to finalize the procure. This method entails use of lightening agents on your teeth, to to fight discoloration and stains. These are bleaching agents like hydrogen peroxide. After applying these agents, the dentist activates a chemical reaction in the ‘active agent’ through a special blue right. The average cost of this process is $300 tap $650, but might vary depending with your dentist.
Besides ZOOM, there is another professional teeth whitening treatment known as laser teeth whitening. It is the most expensive teeth whitening treatment with an average cost of $1500.
What Is The Cost Of Home Teeth Whitening?
The cost of home or over the counter whitening treatment is way cheaper compared to professional teeth whitening. However, this procedure might not be as effective as professional teeth whitening. To clean your teeth at home, you can buy whitening toothpastes, which have an average cost of $3 to $20.
You can also opt for whitening strips with an average cost of $10 to $50, whitening pens with an average cost of $10 to $60 or non- custom whitening trays with an average cost of $10 to $50. You can also use customized whitening trays with an average cost of $100 to $600.
Is The Cost Of Teeth Whitening Worth It?
Yes, although you might part away with hundreds or thousands of dollars when whitening your teeth, this cost is worth it. This is because of the many benefits that are associated with teeth whitening treatment. For instance, whitening your teeth helps to remove teeth discoloration that happens because of age, dietary habits or certain lifestyle.
Whitening your teeth also removes stains on your teeth that occurred because of improper brushing/ flossing or the kind of food you take. Whitening your teeth has also proved to be effective in reducing mouth bacteria that are likely to cause gum diseases or tooth decay. Whitening your teeth is also worth it as it improves your self-esteem as well as making your smile brighter and healthier. Last but not least, whitening your teeth helps to hide minor imperfections on your teeth, making them less noticeable. These are imperfections like chips and cracks.
What Factors Affect The Cost Of Teeth Whitening?
As of now, you already know that the cost of tooth whitening depends with your treatment of choice. If you select dental or professional teeth whitening procedure, you will spend more dollars compared to home teeth whitening procedure.
Besides your treatment method, the cost of your teeth whitening also varies depending with the extent of your teeth stains or discoloration. The more the stains, the more the cost of treatment.
The skills and expertise of your dentist will also affect the cost of your teeth whitening. If you visit a high-profile dentist with big reputation, you are likely to spend more on your teeth whitening.
The location of your dental clinic can also affect the cost of your teeth whitening. In most cases, dental clinics in urban areas charge more in their services that dental clinics in rural areas.
What Should You Do To Prevent Teeth Staining After The Whitening Procedure?
After your teeth whitening procedure, your teeth are left so white and bright, and this is likely to last for a long period. However, there is an after-care routine to follow so to prevent another discoloration. To prevent your teeth staining after a whitening procedure, follow the following tricks:
1. Practice a good oral hygiene
After your teeth whitening procedure, you should practice oral hygiene habits to prevent re-discoloration. These are habits like: brush or floss your teeth at least twice a day using toothpastes that contain whitening agents. You should also replace your toothbrush after few months. It’s also important to visit a dentist to deep clean your teeth at least twice per year.
2. Avoid staining foods
There are certain types if foods that play the primary role of staining your teeth. To prevent your teeth from staining after a whitening procedure therefore, you should limit your intake of such foods. These are foods like tea, coffee, soda, wine, some berries, dark fruits, dark chocolate or tomato sauce.
3. Avoid tobacco
To prevent your teeth from staining after a whitening treatment, you should stop tobacco intake. Taking tobacco will not only enhance teeth discoloration but will also jeopardize your health.
FAQ’s on Teeth Whitening
Does insurance cover professional teeth whitening?
Not really. Insurance does not cover the cost of teeth whitening procedures, whether professional or home whitening. This is because teeth whitening is considered a cosmetic procedure whose mission is to improve your teeth appearance. That means that teeth whitening is not a necessary medical treatment.
What is the overall cost of teeth whitening at the dentist?
The overall cost of teeth whitening at the dentist is $600 to $1500, but might vary depending with intensity of your teeth’ stains. This cost can also vary depending with the location among other factors discussed above in this page.
How long do teeth whitening results last?
The effects of your teeth whitening procedure are likely to last 2 to 3 years. However, this depends on how well you practice oral hygiene after the treatment. If you fail to brush or floss your teeth regularly, the results might last for less than 2 years. The same applies to patients who start smoking or taking staining foods after the whitening procedure. If you take care of your teeth however, the results are likely to last for at least 3 years.
How long is teeth whitening procedure?
Teeth whitening procedure can last 1 to 2 hours, less or more, depending on your treatment method. For instance, if you are using ZOOM treatment method, your dentist needs to examine your teeth and shield your gums before initiating the treatment. This entire procedure can last 1 to 2 hours.
Are there teeth whitening side effects?
Yes, although teeth whitening is very safe, it has mild side effects that every patient should beware of. These are side effects like:
- Teeth sensitivity to pressure, touch or temperature.
- Gum irritation as a result of teeth whitening chemicals
What’s the difference between teeth whitening and bleaching?
Teeth bleaching and teeth whitening are two interchangeable words with different meanings. Teeth whitening is the process of removing tooth stains and discoloration to restore its original color. Teeth bleaching on the other hand, is using bleaching agents on your teeth to whiten it beyond its original color.
Can you get white teeth without whitening? Teeth whitening alternatives.
If you don’t want to use bleaching chemicals to whiten your teeth, there are other remedies or teeth whitening alternatives to try. To whiten your teeth, you can try the following alternatives:
- Use activated charcoal powder or charcoal toothpaste to brush your teeth
- Use oil pulling to whiten your teeth. The best and most effective oil to consider is coconut oil, sunflower or sesame.
- Use baking powder, diluted with water, to brush your teeth
- Use apple cider vinegar, diluted with water, to brush your teeth
- Use veneers or shell to cover your discolored teeth
- Try dental bonding