How Much Does Teeth Whitening Cost? Price and Procedure Guide

Over time, teeth can become stained and lose their luster, dimming the brightness of your smile. Teeth whitening treatments reduce or remove stains on teeth and lighten and brighten their whiteness, returning confidence. These treatments are either administered in your dentist’s office or through at-home products that you get from your dentist or purchase over the counter.¹

A brighter, whiter smile is so appealing to people that Americans spend close to $2 billion on teeth whitening products annually, trying to achieve those perfect magazine grins.² While teeth whiteners vary in their effectiveness, they can make a big difference in your smile.

What Is Teeth Whitening?

Teeth whitening is a non-invasive way to make your teeth appear whiter by removing stains from external sources, medications or genetic or illness-based reasons. Your dentist can do a professional job in the office, or you can purchase at-home products to try to do this on your own.¹

What does it treat?

Dentists break the types of stains that affect your teeth into two categories:¹

• Extrinsic stains. These can mar your lovely choppers due to things you eat and drink, such as red wine and coffee, or highly pigmented foods, like beets or cherries. However, behaviors such as smoking or chewing tobacco, as well as exposure to iron and copper, can also cause staining. Additionally, discoloration can result from poor oral hygiene, such as not brushing and flossing regularly.

• Intrinsic stains. These, on the other hand, are caused by things like genetic disorders, trauma (such as a fall or accident), problems with tooth development in utero or infancy, thinning enamel due to aging, certain medications (such as antibiotics) and overuse of antiseptic mouthwash, such as chlorhexidine rinse.

Teeth whitening vs. bleaching

It’s also important to note that there’s a difference between teeth whitening and bleaching. Though these terms are used interchangeably, they differ in the following ways:³

• Bleaching. This term is specifically used when the teeth are whitened beyond their natural color using bleaching agents like hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide.

• Tooth whitening. This refers to restoring teeth to their original color by removing stains and debris caused by food, drinks and smoking, among other factors.

No matter which method you use, most actual tooth whitening is largely achieved through one of two types of tooth bleach: hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide.¹

Professional Teeth Whitening Options

Anyone interested in whitening their teeth may feel overwhelmed by the numerous over-the-counter products on the market. Whitening can be achieved through several methods, each offering different results. A study that compared the efficacy of at-home, in-office and combined bleaching regimens found that all methods achieved significant whitening.⁴ Ultimately, a dental consultation is the best way to choose the right treatment for you.

In-office treatments administered by your dentist may include prescription-strength whitening agents plus a laser treatment.⁵ Another similar procedure, called Zoom!, uses ultraviolet (UV) light and hydrogen peroxide to achieve a higher degree of whitening.⁶ Here's how they work:

• Laser whitening. After cleaning your teeth, a dentist will apply a whitening agent gel and then shine a powerful blue laser on your teeth.⁵

• Zoom! Similar to a laser treatment, a dentist will clean your teeth and then coat them with whitening gel. A specialized Zoom! UV lamp will then be placed over your teeth for about 15 minutes.⁶

How Much Does Teeth Whitening Cost?

The average cost of teeth whitening varies depending upon the type of treatment you get and how often you may need to apply treatment. For example, the national average cost* for dental whitening by laser is $792 but can range from $611 to $1,368.⁷ Dentist-provided take-home kits can range from $375 to $500.⁸

Here's a more in-depth look at the average cost* of common teeth whitening options:⁷

Average cost of laser dental whitening by state/district

Below is a breakdown of the average cost* of laser dental whitening by all 50 states and the District of Columbia.⁷

Additional cost considerations

Most dentists will require a consultation before administering a whitening treatment.¹ The cost of that visit may be around the same cost as a general dental exam, which can range between $50 and $350, if not covered by insurance.⁹

Is Teeth Whitening Covered by Insurance?

Most dental insurance plans do not cover teeth whitening because it is considered a cosmetic procedure and not a medical one.¹⁰ However, it’s important to always check with your insurance’s current explanation of benefits, just in case.

Who Is a Good Candidate?

The primary requirement for teeth whitening is having stained or discolored teeth.¹¹ Your dentist will examine your teeth and mouth to determine whether your stains are from extrinsic factors, such as what you eat and drink, or intrinsic factors, such as illness or genetics.¹

Teeth whitening is not recommended under certain circumstances:¹¹

• If you have periodontal disease or sensitive teeth (whitening agents can irritate teeth and gums)

• If you have tooth-colored fillings, crowns, caps or bonding

• If you have expectations of achieving 100% whiteness

How Does Teeth Whitening Work?

In-office professional teeth whitening

A common way to whiten your teeth is to have your dentist administer a whitening agent in the office. The dentist will protect your gums with a gel or rubber guard, then apply the agent to your teeth.⁶ Some treatments may involve applying a peroxide-containing gel, potentially accompanied by a light that accelerates the whitening process.¹

Power bleaching is another in-office procedure in which your dentist applies concentrated hydrogen peroxide in water for up to 30 minutes, with or without a light accelerator.¹

What to expect: Most dentists will insist upon performing a clinical exam before administering tooth bleaching procedures. This exam helps them assess the source of the tooth discoloration, identify any allergies that could deter them from using whitening agents and determine the right course of treatment.¹

While patients may hope that whitening will magically erase all stains, the effects vary depending upon the type of stains being treated. For example, brown stains resulting from medical conditions like fluorosis or medications like tetracycline may respond better to bleaching than white stains with a similar origin or from orthodontic treatments.¹ Whitening may not work on some stains or on bonded or filled teeth.¹¹ Additionally, some stains may require longer treatment to address.¹

Dentist-provided at-home whitening treatments

Another option for whitening is a dentist-created tray with an at-home whitening solution, which you can obtain from your dentist and use at will. From the comfort of your home, you simply follow their instructions on how to apply the whitening solution and for how long. These treatments typically progress more slowly than in-office procedures, often taking anywhere from a few days to several weeks.¹

What to expect: The results of at-home whitening under a dentist’s approval can achieve the same results as in-office treatments, though the process is typically slower and may require multiple applications.¹

Over-the-counter bleaching products

An abundance of teeth bleaching and whitening products, including toothpaste, whitening strips and whitening trays, can be found at your average pharmacy and grocery store. These products typically have a lower number of bleaching agents than those found in your dentist’s products, so their effect may be less potent or take longer to achieve. You can search the American Dental Association’s (ADA) list of accepted at-home teeth bleaching products for safe and effective options.¹

What to expect: Over-the-counter bleaching products can achieve similar effects as a take-home treatment from a dentist.⁴ But they may require a longer time or more treatments to remove stains.¹

Stain removal toothpaste

Whitening toothpaste combines bleaching agents like peroxides or enzymes with mild abrasives to physically rub away stains. They may also contain blue covarine, a semitransparent pigment that reflects light to make teeth appear whiter.¹²

What to expect: These products may remove only extrinsic (surface) stains and are not likely to achieve the same whitening effects as a dentist-provided treatment, but they are a good way to keep teeth white between professional treatments.¹²

While whitening toothpaste will help whiten your teeth, the effects are generally temporary. Another downside includes a likelihood of increasing tooth and gum sensitivity.¹

Possible Side Effects of Teeth Whitening

Tooth whitening is not a particularly invasive procedure. But for some people, it can cause some side effects, including:¹³

• Allergic reactions. Though rare, someone may discover they are allergic to the bleaching agents and experience an allergic reaction. Your dentist will treat you per medical guidelines if this happens.

• Enamel damage. Using too many whitening treatments or products can eventually break down your teeth's natural enamel. For this reason, you should follow your dentist's guidelines for teeth whitening.

• Gum irritation. A more common side effect is gum irritation, and even gum burns, from the whitening agents making contact with gum tissue. This irritation can last several hours to days. If it persists, it can be treated with a soothing oral gel or rinse.

• Multicolored teeth. Teeth may look translucent or multicolored after whitening. Most of the time this is temporary due to teeth dehydration. You should drink water and avoid eating anything that will stain your teeth further.

• Sensitivity. Bleaching agents, particularly in concentrated form, can cause sensitivity when they penetrate the dentin layer of teeth, where the nerves reside. A dentist may recommend a toothpaste designed for sensitive teeth.

Is Teeth Whitening Safe?

Teeth whitening is generally safe so long as you do not have preexisting sensitivity, tooth problems, gum disease or other disease or illness that affects the mouth and gums.¹³ However, teeth whitening (and even your regular dental cleaning) temporarily removes a layer of your teeth known as the acquired pellicle, which protects the sensitive parts of your gums.¹⁴ Because of this, you should be careful not to irritate your teeth and gums for 24 to 48 hours after a whitening procedure.¹⁴

Recovery From Teeth Whitening

To further protect your teeth in the 24- to 48-hour window after teeth whitening, you should avoid acid-based foods and drinks, such as citrus, vinegar and soda. Also, steer clear of stain-causing foods. Since your teeth may also be sensitive, avoid very cold or hot foods and drinks to minimize discomfort.¹⁴

If your teeth are extra sensitive and the whitening causes significant discomfort, you may be able to take over-the-counter pain medication.¹⁴

How Long Does Teeth Whitening Last?

Professional teeth whitening will last around 12 to 18 months.¹⁵ At-home products will vary.

To maintain the benefits of teeth whitening, at-home maintenance may be required. In addition to further treatments, patients can prolong their whitening effects by:¹⁵

• Avoiding high-staining foods and beverages for at least a week after whitening

• Sipping dark-colored beverages with a straw

• Maintaining excellent oral hygiene, especially after meals

• Visiting your dentist regularly for checkups and cleanings¹³

Ultimately, deciding to whiten your teeth is a personal decision you should make after consulting with your dentist. With a variety of options available — from in-office treatments to at-home kits — at a wide range of prices, you should be able to find a teeth whitening solution that works for your budget and smile. Most importantly, always consult a dental professional before making any decisions or purchasing over-the-counter products.

Frequently Asked Questions About Teeth Whitening

Do you still have questions about teeth whitening? Here are answers to some commonly asked questions.

Financing Teeth Whitening With the CareCredit Credit Card

Whether you're getting teeth whitening treatments or you're simply paying for a dental exam, the CareCredit credit card can help you pay for costs not covered by insurance.** Use our Acceptance Locator to find a dentist or oral surgeon near you that accepts CareCredit. Use the CareCredit credit card, again and again, to pay for your health and wellness wants and needs, and download the CareCredit Mobile App to manage your account, find a provider on the go and easily access the Well U blog for more great articles, podcasts and videos.

In addition to dental care, you can also use your CareCredit credit card for pet care, cosmetic, vision, hearing, health systems, dermatology, pharmacy purchases, spa treatments and so much more within the CareCredit network. How will you invest in your health and wellness next?

Author Bio

Jordan Rosenfeld has been freelance writing for 21 years about finances, health, education and more. Her work has appeared in The Atlantic, The Billfold, Good Magazine, GoBanking Rates, Daily Worth, Quartz, Medical Economics, The New York Times, Paypal, The Washington Post and more.