Is the Cost of Professional Teeth Whitening Worth It?

Everybody wants a bright, white smile. After all, research shows that whiter teeth can make you appear more successful, more attractive and look 5 to 10 years younger. 

Unfortunately, in addition to causing sensitive teeth and gums, teeth whitening can be costly to maintain. Whether you choose to use white strips or have your teeth professionally whitened by a dentist, teeth whitening can cost anywhere from $50 - $1500 for just one treatment!

So what can you do if you want whiter teeth but don’t want to spend your paycheck to get it?

First, let’s find out why your teeth get yellowed and discolored in the first place, and then we’re going to review the different teeth whitening options that are available. We’ll explore the pros and cons of each, in addition to providing a natural, peroxide-free teeth whitening option that will make your teeth and your wallet happy!

Why Is Teeth Whitening Necessary?

As children, we naturally have whiter smiles. This is because our tooth enamel is thicker, reducing exposure to the yellow dentin layer beneath.

But as we age along with lifestyle factors such as food, medications, coffee, tea, and even the wrong toothpaste (more on that later!), your enamel wears down and teeth become more prone to yellowing and staining.

To combat this, there are a multitude of peroxide-based teeth whitening products and services that are on the market. The three most common options are: strips, gels or trays that you can buy at a drugstore; take-home customized whitening trays from dentists; and in-office whitening treatment by dentists. All three use peroxide to bleach the teeth, but they vary the concentration and type of peroxide, as well as the application methods and amount of time needed.

No matter which option you choose, maintaining white teeth is expensive. Not only must the treatments be repeated, but because peroxide is damaging to your tooth enamel and gums, you may incur medical costs over time to fix these issues.

So let’s take a closer look at these teeth whitening options so you can choose which is right for you.

Teeth Whitening Toothpaste

The most common and least expensive teeth whitening product is teeth whitening toothpaste. 

These toothpastes work to remove surface stains with abrasive ingredients such as silica, and also “bleach” teeth to whiten them, using hydrogen peroxide.

The problem with teeth whitening toothpastes aside from their less than stellar whitening capabilities, is that they can cause gum irritation, sensitive teeth, and even tissue damage. 

Worse yet, they don’t address one of the reasons your teeth are yellow in the first place - due to the wear and tear of your enamel - the white, outer layer of your teeth.

Without the proper ingredients to remineralize your teeth, your enamel becomes thinner, exposing the yellow dentin layer beneath. 

So while whitening toothpaste may seem like an inexpensive teeth whitening option, it’s the least effective and can cause more harm than good.

Instead, opting for a mineral-based tooth powder such as the Primal Life Organics Dirty Mouth Tooth Powder - which works to remineralize your teeth as it removes bacteria and plaque - you can have whiter and healthier teeth, without the gum irritation, teeth sensitivity and tissue damage.

Teeth Whitening Strips, Gels, or Trays

Walk into any drugstore and you’ll encounter endless options of teeth whitening strips, gels, and trays. The benefit of these options is that you can easily whiten your teeth at home.

The drawback is that, because they use peroxide to bleach your teeth, many people experience the same and often worse problems than teeth whitening toothpaste - including teeth sensitivity, gum irritation, and tissue damage.

And while the cost is less expensive than a professional treatment, the amount you have to use to maintain a whiter smile can cost you $50-$100 a month, not including the amount you would incur in visits to your dentist due to the teeth sensitivity and tissue damage.

Take Home Teeth Whitening Trays From The Dentist 

People that want better results than over-the-counter teeth whitening options but aren’t yet ready to pay for the in-office dental treatments, can opt for a take home teeth whitening kit from your dentist.

These professional whitening kits cost $100-$500, depending on the location and dentist. They include custom-made trays and typically use a stronger bleaching agent than over-the-counter systems.

These take home kits are considered “safer” for your teeth, because the customized mouth tray minimizes your exposure to the peroxide and chemicals. But how safe can they be when their main ingredient includes chlorine dioxide, which is the same acid used to clean swimming pools?

With the stronger peroxide and chemicals, these take home kits are more effective at removing stains from your teeth, leaving teeth noticeably whiter. However, in the process, the chemicals also strip the enamel from your teeth, leaving them exposed, sensitive, and more prone to staining and cavities.

In Office Whitening Treatments By Dentists 

In office whitening is generally considered the most expensive and effective method for whitening teeth. Costs for just one treatment can run $300 - $1000 or more.

Because these treatments use a high concentration (15%-43%) of fast-acting hydrogen peroxide, they can achieve a better and faster result.

But the price you pay is not just the cost of the treatment. Because of the high amount of peroxide and other chemicals, these treatments strip your tooth enamel even more than the at-home options. And while dentists do their best to cover gums with a protective coating or rubber dam, sensitivity and tooth and gum damage does occur and can be irreversible.

LED Teeth Whitening System 

By now, you may have noticed that in addition to every teeth whitening option using peroxide, which causes sensitivity and long term damage to your teeth and gums, it’s also expensive to whiten your teeth.

But we have one more option that doesn’t use peroxide or harmful chemicals, is more affordable in the long run than any of the other options, and instead of damaging your teeth and gums, makes them stronger and healthier as it whitens your teeth.

This miracle teeth whitener is the Primal Life Organics LED Natural Teeth Whitening System.

Instead of using damaging peroxide and chlorine dioxide, Primal Life uses red and blue LED light, combined with hydroxyapatite (HAp), Phthalimidoperoxycaproic acid (PAP), white activated charcoal, clay, and olive oil with essential oils to eliminate the stains on your smile.  

Hydroxyapatite is a mineral that occurs naturally in teeth and bones. When applied to your teeth, it  protects your tooth's outer layer, preventing demineralization and rebuilding tooth enamel. That means stronger, healthier teeth with a whiter smile.

The red and blue LED lights work together to whiten your teeth and improve the health of your mouth. Blue Light works to whiten teeth, target and kill bad bacteria. Red light help to reduce inflammation, increase circulation and improve gum health.

With just 16 minutes a day, your teeth will be whiter, your gums and mouth healthier, and you will avoid any of the pain and long term damage caused by peroxide-based teeth whitening options.

Best of all, the Primal Life Organics Natural Teeth Whitening System is the most affordable way to whiten your teeth. Because the LED lights are designed to last years, when broken down into cost per month, your cost is less than $5 a month (based on a 10 year lifespan).

That’s a far cry from paying $6000 for white strips, or $5000+ for a professional whitening treatment that damages your teeth. 

Whiter Teeth Without Sensitivity 

Let’s face it. Whiter teeth make everyone feel better about their smile. But paying exorbitant costs and ending up with painful, sensitive teeth make it hardly worth the investment.

But now, with the Primal Life Organics Natural Teeth Whitener, you can have whiter teeth without the pain and long term damage of peroxide teeth whiteners.

Whiter, healthier teeth and gums, and a more confident smile at a fraction of the cost of other teeth whiteners. 

So go ahead and smile. You’ll look as good as you feel, knowing your teeth and your budget are healthier because you invested in you!