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People are more and more interested in teeth whitening. But does it actually work when you try to do it at home or should you go to a professional for better results?
Many at-home methods promise a brighter smile at a lower cost, however, they can vary widely in effectiveness and safety. On the other hand, professional treatments can give you powerful results but come with a higher price tag.
Who Should Consider Teeth Whitening?
The portrayal of perfectly white teeth in the media has set unrealistic expectations for dental appearance. However, dental health should always be prioritized over cosmetic concerns, and there’s no shame in a smile that isn’t flawless.
Tooth discoloration can be influenced by various factors, including:
Aging
Genetics
Certain medications
Lifestyle choices, such as drinking coffee, eating colored food, or smoking
People with dental restorations such as implants, veneers, crowns, or bridges may not be ideal candidates for teeth whitening since these treatments are effective only on natural tooth enamel. Whitening adjacent teeth can lead to an uneven appearance.
While some individuals opt for veneers to achieve a consistently white smile, this can be detrimental to dental health if not properly managed.
If you’re self-conscious about tooth discoloration and you still have your natural teeth, a whitening procedure may be worth considering. Ultimately, this is a personal decision, not a medical requirement.
Discuss your options with a dentist to find the safest and most effective treatment for your needs.
The Types of Teeth Stains
The effectiveness of teeth whitening largely depends on the type of treatment and the nature of your teeth stains.
There are two main types of stains:
Extrinsic Stains: These are surface stains caused by things like coffee, tea, red wine, and smoking. They’re generally easier to remove and respond well to whitening treatments.
Intrinsic Stains: These deeper stains may result from factors such as aging, certain medications, or excess fluoride exposure. They are harder to whiten and often require professional treatments for noticeable results.
What are the Most Common Methods for Teeth Whitening?
Teeth whitening treatments generally target stains in two main ways: physically removing surface (extrinsic) stains and chemically lightening both surface and deeper (intrinsic) discolorations.
Most methods use oxidizing agents like hydrogen peroxide to break down these stains and create a brighter smile. However, using these agents improperly or in high doses can cause tooth sensitivity or gum irritation.
When using them alone, make sure to follow product instructions and consult your dentist if you experience discomfort.
However, it's also important to note that if you’re doing this at home, you should be careful about what you eat and when you can start to eat normally. It’s advised to wait at least 24-48 hours before consuming foods that can stain, such as coffee or wine.
Instead, opt for food that doesn’t stain, such as clear liquids, white meats, and non-staining vegetables, to help preserve the effects of the treatment.
Now that we’ve got this out of the way, let’s take a look at what are the most common teeth whitening methods.
Over-the-Counter Whitening Products
Using over-the-counter whitening products is a convenient way to gradually improve your smile. Popular choices include:
Whitening Toothpaste: Formulated with gentle abrasives such as baking soda or charcoal, these products can help scrub away surface stains. Some also contain low levels of peroxide for mild whitening. While effective, prolonged use of abrasive toothpaste may erode enamel, so it's best to follow usage guidelines.
Whitening Mouthwash: Typically containing lower concentrations of hydrogen peroxide, whitening mouthwash is effective for minor discoloration but is not potent enough for significant changes.
Many OTC options incorporate fluoride to strengthen enamel and prevent cavities, a valuable feature given that whitening treatments may make enamel more vulnerable.
At-Home Whitening Kits
At-home whitening kits provide a more potent solution than OTC toothpastes or mouthwashes. These kits are commonly available in forms such as:
Whitening Gels and Strips: Some people choose the currently popular purple teeth whitening gels, while others choose the traditional whitening strips. These are applied directly to the teeth and often contain hydrogen peroxide. For best outcomes when using the whitening strips, make sure to brush your teeth before using whitening strips to remove any food residue or plaque that could hinder contact with the whitening agent.
Whitening Trays: Kits with a tray-style mouthguard hold the gel against your teeth. The ADA advises that mouthguards with gels containing up to 10% carbamide peroxide can be worn overnight for gradual whitening.
Light-Activated Kits: Some kits come with UV or blue light devices that claim to "activate" the whitening gel for faster results. While UV teeth whitening and blue light technology are marketed as boosting the effectiveness of the gel, scientific evidence on their impact remains mixed.
At-home kits typically use lower concentrations of active agents than professional treatments, which may extend the time needed for results. However, this reduced potency also minimizes the risk of side effects, such as irritation or sensitivity. Also, it’s important to note that when you’re doing these things at home, it's questionable how long the results will last.
For a natural approach, some people turn to coconut oil teeth whitening, although its effectiveness is mostly anecdotal.
Professional Whitening Treatments
For more dramatic results, professional whitening options such as laser teeth whitening or in-office UV whitening treatments are available. The cost of teeth whitening at the dentist with insurance or without varies based on the type of procedure and insurance coverage.
Going to a professional is often better than doing it at home. When doing it at home, you might have a lot of questions like if whitening strips are bad for your teeth or will your teeth hurt after a laser whitening. That’s why when you go to a professional, you may ask them any questions and by doing so you’re sure that you’re in safe hands.
As well, professional care can take less time than doing the teeth whitening by yourself at home since you don’t have to read all the instructions and do extra research on how to whiten teeth properly.
To keep your teeth healthy and bright white, come in for a checkup and teeth whitening at one of our clinics.
How Much Is Teeth Whitening?
The cost of teeth whitening varies based on the treatment type and where you receive it.
Professional, in-office whitening is generally the most effective, offering immediate and noticeable results. However, teeth whitening without insurance can be quite costly, typically ranging from $500 to $1,000.
Is Teeth Whitening Covered by Insurance?
The most common question we get is whether teeth whitening is covered by insurance.
Unfortunately, most dental insurance plans do not cover teeth whitening because it’s considered a cosmetic procedure, not a medical necessity. This means that if you choose to undergo professional whitening, you will likely need to pay out-of-pocket.
For more affordable options, over-the-counter products like whitening strips and gels are available but may require continuous use to achieve and maintain results.
It's wise to consult with your dentist to discuss potential costs and explore any payment plans or options that might be available to make professional whitening more accessible.
If you scroll around our page, you’ll be able to find the Dental Payment Plans where we include the teeth whitening session, regular exams, and more!
Is Teeth Whitening Safe?
Teeth whitening is generally considered safe when performed under the guidance of a dental professional or with approved at-home whitening products. However, some individuals may experience side effects or discomfort depending on their sensitivity levels and the method used.
Commonly, teeth sensitivity after whitening is a temporary issue, but it can be managed by using desensitizing toothpaste or avoiding hot and cold foods for a few days.
In some cases, individuals report unbearable pain after teeth whitening due to heightened sensitivity. This pain can typically be managed with over-the-counter pain relief and by following a dentist’s advice.
Another side effect people sometimes notice is white spots on teeth after whitening, which is often due to uneven application or pre-existing mineral imbalances in the enamel. These spots usually fade as the teeth remineralize, but if they persist, a dentist can suggest targeted treatments.
If you experience gum discomfort after teeth whitening, it’s important to understand how to treat burned gums from teeth whitening. Rinsing with warm salt water or using a soothing gel can help alleviate discomfort, and over-the-counter pain relievers may provide temporary relief. Avoiding acidic and spicy foods while gums heal is also beneficial.
Results of teeth whitening are best appreciated when you compare before and after teeth whitening photos, which often reveal a noticeable change in brightness and clarity. However, maintaining these results requires specific care, especially in the first 48 hours.
