Home Teeth Whitening Kits are the Cheaper Alternative to Expensive Dental Work

Got an interview coming up? Looking for a promotion? Just met a great guy? Whatever the reason, everyone knows it pays to take care of your appearance. Shiny, healthy white teeth contribute to a killer smile, which is a great asset to your personal and professional success. But going to a dentist has a negative connotation in most people’s minds, due to the pain that it is normally associated with, the high cost and the repeated visits. Home teeth whitening kits are a great alternative to a visit to the dentist. There are plenty of home teeth whitening options available in the market for every need.

It is important to know that most teeth whitening products use a peroxide-based bleaching agent. This is the most effective way to lighten the color of your teeth. Professional dental work, either undertaken by a dentist at his office or from teeth whitening centers such as BriteSmile, involves a high concentration of peroxide administered for less than an hour, in a few visits. Such in-office treatments will typically cost upwards of $500 depending on where you live. The other professional option is home teeth whitening kits dispensed by dentists, which cost upwards of $300.

As you can see, while professional dental whitening has the advantage of being supervised by a dentist, it is very expensive. Often, dental whitening is not covered by dental insurance since it is not seen as an essential health service for your teeth. And let’s face it – it’s not essential. You spend enough on vital dental work, so why spend on a cosmetic procedure that can be inexpensively and effectively done in the comfort of your own home? Home teeth whitening products can cost as little as $15. The best part is that there are so many to pick from that you can decide exactly how you want to do it.

Home teeth whitening kits come in different forms – strips, paint-on liquids, tray-based systems and whitening gum. Strips have been found to be effective and easy to use. They are stuck across the teeth and left on for 30 minutes at a time. A good brand will cost around $25. Paint-on liquids can be used at night or during the day, even at work. It is painted on like nail varnish with a brush and manufacturers claim that it doesn’t need to be rinsed off. A branded whitening paint will set you back only $10-$15.

Tray-based systems involve a mould that needs to be filled with whitening gel and fitted over the upper and lower teeth. Prices start from around $15. Whitening chewing gum is supposed to work when used four times a day for twenty minutes each. It doesn’t contain peroxide and costs $1.50 for a pack. There is not much evidence that chewing gum works to lighten the color of the teeth. Most of the above home teeth whitening kits whiten teeth in two to four weeks and the results can last up to six months. Finally, many of these kits come with an ADA seal of approval so you can safely smile and use them.