What is the Cheapest Way to Whiten Your Teeth? (2024)

Table of Contents

  1. Pros & Cons of Whitening
  2. Several Approaches to Whitening
  3. References

There are many ways to whiten your teeth, ranging from affordable to very expensive. Over-the-counter options, like whitening toothpastes, strips, and kits, tend to be the cheapest options.

If you feel self-conscious about the brightness of your smile, you are far from alone. Most adults in the United States worry that their teeth are yellow, off-color, or somehow too dark. Teeth whitening is one of the more common cosmetic options available through your dentist, but it is not likely to be covered by your insurance, like regular cleanings are.

Thanks to advances in whitening technology, there are more effective, more affordable, and safer at-home whitening kits available for purchase online. There are many companies now that are dedicated entirely to developing and manufacturing these whitening products, including peroxide-based gels and toothpastes with LED mouthpieces.

Whitening kits work very well for people with persistent stains from coffee or wine, but they may not work for other types of stains, especially those related to underlying health problems. The only way to know why your teeth are off-colored is to visit your dentist.

At-home whitening kits carry some risk if you do not know why your smile is not as bright as you want it. This may be especially true if you get the least expensive possible option, which may not offer the best protection or the best whitening results.

The Pros & Cons of Whitening Your Teeth

One of the main causes of yellow or stained teeth is diet. If you love coffee, blueberries, balsamic vinegar or soy sauce, curry, barbecue sauce, or even marinara sauce, you are more likely to have off-colored teeth. You can limit your intake of these foods, and that is probably the healthiest option.

Many people are genetically more likely to struggle with stained teeth even when eating a healthy amount of these foods or drinks, compared to others. In these causes, a whitening kit is an excellent option to help you lift stains and get a pearly white smile.

Whitening toothpastes, whitening strips, and whitening kits that include a special gel and LED mouthguard are all ways to improve the look of your teeth. These are simple, cost-effective, and rapid. You can get at least a few shades whiter in a matter of days or weeks. However, there are some downsides to these products.

  • Whitening toothpastes: While toothpaste is the most cost-effective option for brightening your smile, whitening toothpastes do not bring the whiteness of your teeth up very fast. Instead, they use abrasive additives like baking soda to scrub away a small amount of stain.

    You can get some lightening from using them, but your teeth may not change more than a shade or two. This can be disappointing for many people.

  • Whitening strips and gels: At-home whitening kits, including strips and special serums or gels, tend to have harsh chemicals in them, like hydrogen peroxide or bleach. While it is safe for someone with healthy teeth to use these kits occasionally, using them often can wear down the enamel on your teeth, which makes you more susceptible to periodontal disease and gum problems.

    If you have sensitive teeth, you likely have thin enamel already, and many of these over-the-counter or online options may not be safe for you to use regularly. If you have underlying dental health problems, whitening your teeth with harsh chemicals will not get rid of the disease, so you are not likely to get long-lasting results.

While some whitening kits that are available online are less than $60 upfront, their results may not last long. Some recommend consistent treatment, but this may not be safe or healthy for you. A slightly more expensive kit, with a different approach to treatment and a warranty on lasting results, can mean you can get results you love, or you can get a refund if you aren’t happy.

Additionally, you should never attempt at-home whitening unless you also get regular dental treatment to manage periodontal disease.

Eat healthy foods, avoid too much sugar, and find the right combination of affordability and efficacy when looking at at-home whitening kits.

Brighter Teeth Require Several Approaches

Safe at-home whitening kits, even those activated with LED light, tend to contain about 0.1 percent hydrogen peroxide, so you will not rapidly dissolve the enamel on your teeth. Only dentists can safely use higher concentrations.

Even with at-home whitening, you must use the kit as instructed. Don’t leave the treatments on for longer than instructed. Even a small amount of hydrogen peroxide, applied regularly, can lead to damage to enamel, which can in turn cause cavities, gum disease, yellower teeth, cracked teeth, and underlying gum and tooth decay. If you overuse it, you can accidentally make your smile worse as you try your best to improve it.

The best way to keep your smile glistening and bright is with regular dentist appointments, a strong oral hygiene routine that includes flossing, and, when needed, whitening treatments.

Disclaimer: This article is intended to promote understanding of and knowledge about general oral health topics. It is not intended to serve as dental or other professional health advice and is not intended to be used for diagnosis or treatment of any condition or symptom. You should consult a dentist or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment.

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What is the Cheapest Way to Whiten Your Teeth? (2024)

FAQs

What is the Cheapest Way to Whiten Your Teeth? ›

Over-the-counter options, like whitening toothpastes, strips, and kits, tend to be the cheapest options. If you feel self-conscious about the brightness of your smile, you are far from alone.

What is the most affordable way to whiten your teeth? ›

Over-the-Counter Whitening
  • Teeth Whitening Strips. Typically Costs: $30-$70 for 10-20 strips. ...
  • Paint-on Varnishes. Typically Costs: $10-$20 per unit. ...
  • LED Whitening Kits. Typically Costs: $50-$300. ...
  • Whitening Toothpastes. Typically Costs: $5-$15 per tube. ...
  • Whitening Rinses. Typically Costs: $7-20 per bottle. ...
  • Whitening Chewing Gum.
May 3, 2022

What's the cheapest way to get your teeth whitened? ›

Try At-Home Whitening Products

A whitening treatment from your dentist can be quite effective — but also quite expensive. However, combining your whitening toothpaste with one of the following over-the-counter options can give results that will surely make you smile: Gel strips. Whitening pens.

How can I whiten my teeth quickly? ›

Seven Ways to Naturally Whiten Teeth
  1. Eat Strawberries. One of the simplest ways to naturally whiten your teeth is just by eating strawberries. ...
  2. Eat Plenty of Fruits and Vegetables. ...
  3. Brush After You Eat or Drink. ...
  4. Rinse with Apple Cider Vinegar. ...
  5. Apply Coconut Oil. ...
  6. Brush Your Tongue. ...
  7. Use Baking Soda and Hydrogen Peroxide.

Is there anything that really works to whiten teeth? ›

Tooth whitening is most often done using peroxide-based bleaching agents. At-home systems contain from 3% to 20% peroxide (carbamide or hydrogen peroxides). In-office systems contain from 15% to 43% peroxide. Generally, the stronger the solution and the longer you keep it on your teeth, the whiter your teeth become.

What whitens teeth the best at home? ›

Hydrogen and carbamide peroxides are the gold standard of at-home teeth whitening. If you're looking to go a chemical-free route, coconut oil won't cause any sensitivity, according to Dr.

How do you fix yellow teeth without whitening? ›

Experiment to find a solution that works for you.
  1. Brushing your teeth. ...
  2. Baking soda and hydrogen peroxide. ...
  3. Coconut oil pulling. ...
  4. Apple cider vinegar. ...
  5. Lemon, orange, or banana peels. ...
  6. Activated charcoal. ...
  7. Eating fruits and vegetables with a higher water content.

Do home teeth whitening kits work? ›

There are two types, two versions of peroxide, hydrogen peroxide, and carbamide peroxide, that are used for whitening. And they are effective. They do work. So if the whitening kit you're using lists that product, you can rest assured that it will be effective.

Can yellow teeth become white again? ›

What Can Be Done to Whiten Yellow Teeth? If you're looking for a radical change in the coloring of your teeth, you need professional-grade whitening to get the job done. Your cosmetic dentist can provide treatment that penetrates deep into the enamel and removes years of stains with a powerful bleaching agent.

Can old yellow teeth be whitened? ›

It's natural for teeth to appear darker as they age, but a bleaching product with hydrogen peroxide or urea peroxide can help turn back the clock – and a whitening toothpaste is an easy way to get a jump-start.

What whitens teeth the fastest at home? ›

Hydrogen peroxide is a mild bleach that can help to whiten stained teeth . For optimal whitening, a person can try brushing with a mix of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide for 1–2 minutes twice a day for a week.

How to get white teeth in 1 day with baking soda? ›

To try this method, mix 2 parts of baking soda with 1 part of 1% to 3% hydrogen peroxide to form a paste. Brush your teeth with the mixture for 1 to 2 minutes, then rinse with water. Make sure you use hydrogen peroxide with a concentration of 3% or less. Brush with hydrogen peroxide and baking soda once a week at most.

Does apple cider vinegar whiten teeth? ›

Due to it's high acidity, ACV is not recommended for teeth whitening. If you use it, it is best to dilute it and ensure you are rinsing your teeth afterward. There are better alternatives for teeth whitening, including the use of teeth whitening strips, hydrogen peroxide, or baking soda.

How to professionally whiten teeth at home? ›

Combine 2 teaspoons (10 ml) of hydrogen peroxide with 1 teaspoon (6 grams) of baking soda and gently brush your teeth with the mixture. Limit the use of this homemade paste to a few times per week, as overuse can erode your tooth enamel.

How to whiten teeth overnight? ›

Brush a thin, even layer of whitening serum to clean, dry teeth and allow a few seconds for it to dry. Go to sleep (4-6 hours is recommended for best whitening results) and brush your teeth when you wake up to remove the whitening serum. Then, admire your smile!

Does Vicks VapoRub whiten teeth? ›

Vicks VapoRub is toxic to consume and should not be used for teeth whitening.

Can yellow teeth really be whitened? ›

Yellow teeth can be completely whitened with teeth whitening technologies at the dentist or at home. Depending on the status of your yellow teeth as well as your needs, the doctor will advise and prescribe the appropriate method.

Is it cheaper to whiten teeth at home? ›

At-home teeth whitening kits are relatively inexpensive and can give you great results. In contrast, professional teeth whitening at a dentist's office is more expensive but will provide you with even better results.

Is it worth paying for teeth whitening? ›

As a result, you may wonder if professional tooth whitening is worth the cost. Lots of patients are curious about in-office treatment and ask if it is really better than at-home options. The answer is a resounding yes. The most effective way to whiten teeth is with a professional in-office treatment.

References

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