Professional Teeth Whitening: Cost, After Care & Options

Summer is a busy season for many of us – weddings, graduations, family reunions, and travel plans fill up the calendar. Of course, you want to look great for all of these events, and your smile is often the first thing people notice.

If your teeth aren’t quite as white as they could be, a professional cleaning may be all you need to get your smile in shape. Or, for a smile that really sparkles, schedule a whitening treatment with your dentist.

Can I safely whiten my teeth at home?

You may be able to brighten your teeth using over-the-counter products, but a professional whitening treatment typically provides the best results. A dentist can get your teeth their whitest white, without risking damage to your tooth enamel, gums, or any dental work you may already have.

Ask your dentist for advice before trying at-home whitening products if you’ve had restorative treatments such as bonding, veneers, crowns, and fillings in the front of your teeth or if your teeth are badly stained. Do-it-yourself whitening treatments can damage previous dental work or create unevenly colored teeth.

Your dentist may also advise you not to whiten your teeth if you have gum disease, fragile dental enamel, especially sensitive teeth, or specific medical conditions.

If you were thinking about using an over-the-counter kit to save money, consider your options. Unlike dental insurance, most dental savings plans offer reduced prices on whitening and other cosmetic procedures – on average, plan members report saving 50%* on their dental care.

Talk to your dentist to see which type of treatment is best for you. No matter which option you choose, it’s best to schedule your appointment two or three weeks before any big event, as your teeth will likely be sensitive for a week or so following the treatment.

Professional teeth whitening options

In Office – Your dentist will protect your gums with a desensitizing gel or shield before applying a peroxide gel to your teeth. The solution is then activated by exposure to high-intensity light. Expect to spend a half-hour to an hour in the dentist’s chair. You may need more than one appointment. The average cost is $450-$600**.

At Home – Your dentist will custom-fit a set of “whitening trays,” (flexible molds which you’ll place over your teeth) or will provide you with a kit that contains the trays and a peroxide gel. The whitening product used is weaker than the one utilized in the dentist’s office, but more powerful than an over-the-counter product. Typically, you’ll wear the trays for 4-8 hours daily over the course of ten days. Average cost is $400-$500**.

Taking care of teeth after whitening treatments

Shortly after whitening, your tooth enamel is extra absorbent so be careful about what you drink and eat in the week following your treatment. Obvious things to avoid include coffee, tea, cola drinks and red wine, but be aware that foods such as ketchup, soy sauce, or foods containing colorful spices such as turmeric or saffron can also stain your newly whitened teeth.

It’s also best to avoid acidic or icy cold foods and drinks, as your gums and teeth will likely be sensitive after a whitening treatment.

How much does teeth whitening cost?

In office treatments cost, on average, $650. A professionally prepared take-home whitening kit costs $150 to $400.

Dental insurance typically does not provide coverage for cosmetic treatments such as whitening. But with a dental savings plan, an alternative to traditional dental insurance, you can often get reduced rates on professional whitening treatments from a nationwide network of dentists.

It’s also important to note that whitening treatments don’t work for everybody. People with yellow-tinted teeth tend to see the best results. Those with a brownish tint to their teeth are likely to see some improvement. If your teeth have a gray tint – which is often caused by taking tetracycline antibiotics, smoking, or overexposure to fluoride – bleaching may not provide any whitening at all. Talk to your dentist about other cosmetic treatments that can help to enhance the appearance of your teeth.

Along with cosmetic treatments, dental savings plans also provide an average saving of 50%* on a wide variety of preventive and restorative dental care such as dental implants, overlays, crowns, root canals, dentures and braces. Dental savings plans typically can be used within 72 hours of purchase or less (many plans activate within 24 hours). And, unlike dental insurance, there’s no annual spending limit. You can use your plan to save at the dentist as often as needed.

To learn more about dental savings plans, call our customer support team at 1-833-735-0399 – we’ll help you find the right plan for your dental care needs in minutes. Want to take a quick look at how much you can save on cosmetic dental treatments and other procedures with a dental savings plan dental savings plan? Find out right now by using our calculator below.

*Discount Health Program consumer and provider surveys indicate average savings of 50%. Savings may vary by provider, location, and plan. 

** Cost average obtained from DentalPlans.com procedure search tool.