Tips for Keeping Your Children’s Teeth Healthy

Posted on: 27 February 2018

It makes sense that teeth whitening is one of the most common forms of cosmetic dentistry because most people crave beautiful smiles. As with many cosmetic procedures, the cost is one of the common things people want to know about the procedure. Well, teeth whitening cost varies depending on different factors, such as the following:

The Number of Teeth to Be Treated

The number of teeth you want to bleach is one of the primary determinants of the bleaching cost. Since teeth whitening is primarily for aesthetics (smile enhancement), most people just whiten their front teeth (say the front four, six or eight teeth), but you are free to whiten any number of teeth.

The number of teeth to be whitened determines different factors such as the volume of whitening gel to use, type of whitening tray, or the number of whitening strips needed. Some people cut costs by limiting their whitening to just the upper arch.

The Whitening Technique

There are different whitening methods, each with its own cost. Examples include the use of whitening strips, whitening toothpaste, whitening gels, whitening trays, and even laser teeth whitening. Generally, at-home teeth whitening or the use of over-the-counter teeth whitening products are less expensive than in-office whitening procedures. The application of advanced dentistry technologies, such as laser dentistry, increases the cost further.

The Number of Whitening Sessions

Unless you just want a minimal whitening effect, you are likely to need more than one whitening session. The number of whitening sessions depends on the degree of whiteness you need, the extent of the discoloration, and the whitening technique to be used. The more whitening sessions you need, the more your treatment is likely to cost.

It may be possible to mitigate the costs by mixing and matching your whitening techniques. For example, you may start out by getting an in-office whitening treatment from your dentist and then follow it up by bleaching at home.

The Existence and Nature of Additional Treatments

In some cases, you may need other treatments in addition to the actual bleaching; and these additional treatments also add to the overall whitening cost. For example, you may discover that your teeth are sensitive to hot or cold air or food, and dealing with the sensitivity may cost you extra. The dentist may also discover some dental problems that may require treatment before the actual whitening.

If you wish to whiten your teeth, consult your family dentist to take you through the available treatments and their pros and cons before considering the cost issue. It would be a shame to focus on cost at the expense of other issues; you need something that will give you the best value for your money.