Teeth whitening costs – especially these days – are high enough to deter some people from their goal of having that beautiful white smile. And, at almost $500 for the complete treatment, unless you’re a dentist – or married to one – you probably don’t have the extra funds lying around to even think about it. And furthermore, everyone knows that this service isn’t covered under most dental policies. So, are there things you can do to whiten your teeth, that you can actually afford? Well, yes! And here is a short list for you:
Over the counter products – You can choose from many brands of tooth whitener these days – and the prices vary. You can go really cheap, and in this case the paint-on gel sells for under $10 – so it’s pretty affordable. However, cheap isn’t always synonymous with quality.
In addition to being the weakest link in the store-bought whitening category, it also falls into the “not convenient to apply” category. Things like gel that collects and thickens on some teeth, yet slides off others, is a common problem reported by consumers. But the biggest complaint is, the product doesn’t really make that much of a difference in the way your teeth look – and it leaves a disgusting taste in your mouth, as well.
Whitening strips – Many people have had luck using whitening strips, and although they are more expensive than the gel, they’re still affordable at $15 – $25 per kit – the cost having to do with what brand you choose, of course. But, once you’ve mastered adhering the right strips to the appropriate upper or lower set of teeth, you then only have an approximate wait of 10 minutes, before it’s over and you can pull them off.
Although, “tastier” than the gel paints, the flavor of the strips still aren’t great, but the good news is that you can get used to it without feeling too nauseous. Some companies now make flavored strips that do the whitening, then “dissolve” right on the teeth. The only problem with this is, the product tends to melt completely off on some teeth, and gunk up on others – just like the aforementioned paint-on tooth gel. But the important thing is, if you follow the directions for using them, you WILL start to notice your teeth getting whiter in no time!
Natural alternatives – There are a couple of ways to whiten your teeth the Mother Earth way – and very affordably, as well. By making a paste of baking soda, salt and hydrogen peroxide and using it as you would toothpaste, you not only get your teeth super clean, but the peroxide will eventually whiten them. But be prepared to wait it out for awhile, as far as looking for the “brightening” to happen overnight, goes anyway. Also, be warned that this is one of the concoctions that doesn’t taste good – thanks to the baking soda. And finally, if you tend to be a “hard brusher”, you will need to lighten up – as abrasives in the baking soda can wear down tooth enamel very quickly.
A more flavorful way to shine up those teeth is by using the inside of an orange peel to rub on the front side of each tooth – a routine which many people swear by in working well, and fast! But there is a downside, of course. You will need to be very careful to rinse your mouth out with water, immediately after each “rub”. This is because citrus contains natural acids that are known to eat into teeth if any residue at all, is left behind on them. So, if you choose to whiten this way, make sure you’re careful in doing it.
So now you know some cheap ways to get around high teeth whitening costs. Try several of the suggestions, until you’ve found the one that works best for you. And, if none of these do the trick, just get online and search around until you find one that does!
Learn more about teeth whitening costs at teeth whitening guide.