The Real Cost Of Teeth Whitening

Everyone wants a whiter, brighter smile. A whiter smile means not having to worry about hiding stained yellow teeth and being able to smile confidently all the time. An easy and effective way to achieve that radiance is through teeth whitening. Learn the nature, methods, costs, and potential side effects of teeth whitening through the following article as a general guideline to teeth whitening.

So what exactly is teeth whitening?

Teeth whitening is exactly how it sounds. It’s simply removing stains and other unwanted discolorations that may have gradually built up from coffee, cigarettes, wine or whatever else we put in our mouths on a day-to-day basis.

Teeth whitening success relies on a number of factors. Stains caused by coffee or tea will whiten by four to five shades, however, natural pigmentation of the teeth can be harder to whiten resulting in only being two to three shades brighter. Ultimately, whitening results vary from person to person and are heavily reliant on hereditary aspects and their lifestyle choices.

Teeth whitening options

Treatments can be done in one or both ways:

  • Whitening done by professionals
  • Do-it-yourself remedies

Professional whitening: This process is done by dentists using lasers and whitening gels with equipment in their clinic.

DIY remedies: These remedies can be completely homemade from the kitchen or medicine cabinets or with the use of whitening kits. Despite the fact that there may be many products that fit your need, consider your dentist’s guidance for the best results.

Teeth Whitening Costs

The biggest factor that may make or break your decision between the two methods is cost. A trip to the clinic for teeth whitening can cost between $500-$2000. On the other hand, Bleaching trays created by dentists can range from $100-$300 and drugstore whitening strips can be bought for as low as $50.

Most methods of teeth whitening will show signs of whiter, more beautiful smile, but the time it takes for the results to show are much more immediate when done professionally. At home methods may be time and cost efficient but there are side effects. Some side effects of using over-the-counter peroxide based gels include sensitivity to hot and cold air, food, and drinks felt in the teeth and gums. These whitening products can even break down the enamel of the teeth if not used appropriately. This can result in exposing dentin which can further discolour your teeth resulting in even more problems than you started with.

The different methods of teeth whitening both have their own pros and cons so it’s important to consider them and weigh your options carefully.

Skip to content