A Look at Teeth Whitening Methods and Costs

If you are a coffee drinker, tea guzzler or smoker, chances are you worry about your smile. You likely are unhappy with stains and discoloration that can be found on your teeth. With this in mind, you likely are interested in what is available in the way of dental whitening procedures to help restore your smile.

In this regard, when it comes to teeth whitening specifically (and cosmetic dentistry generally) there is an every enlarging set of options available to you in this day and age. Through this article, you will be provided with some basic information about cosmetic dentistry, specifically teeth whitening methods and the costs associated with teeth whitening today.

The History of Tooth Whitening ... Moving into the 21st Century

Gone are the days when people seeking a whiter smile were confined to peroxide and baking soda (which does not have a pleasant taste). While their grandparents may have been able to successfully remove some stains and get whiter teeth, there are methods that are faster and more efficient. Over the years, people have resorted to some potentially damaging teeth whitening methods such as lemon juice or harsh, abrasive whitening toothpastes. These can damage the enamel and some may even cause irritation to the gums. There are basically two routes a person can take to get whiter teeth, home methods and treatments done in the dentist’s office. It is up to the individual and their budget to determine which is for them.

Laser Technology and Teeth Whitening

One of the newer methods that dentists are using in their offices utilizes laser technology. The dentist first buffs the teeth and then brushes a peroxide based whitening gel on the patient’s teeth. The dentist then exposes the teeth to a laser light to activate the gel. This treatment takes between a half hour to an hour and a half and the patient may require more than one treatment to get optimum results. This treatment is pricy, commanding $500 to $800 per treatment, but it is newer, faster and easier on the patient.

A Look at Home Teeth Whitening Treatments

Home teeth whitening treatments are also effective, less expensive ($5 to $50) and quite easy to use. They use basically the same gel that the dentist uses in his office. The patient may have to use the treatment more often to get the same results because they do not have the laser light to activate the whitening gel, or because the ingredients are less powerful than what their dentist has available. There are gels that use a mouthpiece, gel that is painted on the teeth and left for a period of time and strips that are placed on the teeth for several minutes. Many people have received very favorable results with all of these products; it just depends on personal taste and budget.