Woman smiling after teeth whitening, cost discussed

How much does teeth whitening cost?

Published date field Last Updated:

Medically Reviewed By Colgate Global Scientific Communications

Whitening your teeth is a good way to improve the appearance of your smile and enhance your beauty. There are different ways to whiten your teeth - whether it is professional treatments or other methods or products that can be used in the comfort of your home. The best approach depends on one's budget, lifestyle, time frame, and degree of discoloration. 

What is Teeth Whitening?

Teeth whitening is a process that can remove stains, black spots, or discolouration and make your teeth whiter. Teeth whitening products and treatments can lighten both surface stains as well as deeper, intrinsic stains that may occur within the enamel of your teeth. 

It's important to note that whitening is not a one-time event; it may require periodic treatments or regular use of whitening products. Before getting into the cost of teeth whitening, let’s find out the causes of tooth discolouration or yellow stains on teeth.

What Causes Tooth Discolouration or Stains?

It is not unusual for teeth to become discoloured or stained over time. There are many reasons teeth might begin to look dull-white, yellow, brown, or even greyish. Some of these include:

  • Eating or drinking pigmented foods or drinks like coffee, tea, or red wine

  • Smoking cigarettes or chewing tobacco since nicotine can cause staining and make your teeth look darker and more yellow

  • Poor oral hygiene practices, such as infrequent brushing and flossing which enables plaque and tartar build up on the teeth. Over time, this can impair one’s oral health and lead to tooth discolouration and yellowing.

  • Ageing can also cause teeth to become darker as the dentin, the layer of under the tooth enamel, starts to show through.

  • Certain medications, including antibiotics and supplements, can cause intrinsic tooth staining. 

What Are The Options For Teeth Whitening?

There are different types of teeth whitening methods and treatments. The right whitening product or procedure for you depends on the severity of your stains and other factors, including your baseline oral health, time availability, expected longevity of results, and potential side effects.

In-Office Teeth Whitening

During an in-office treatment, a professional dentist carefully applies an effective tooth whitening gel to your teeth that has potent whitening properties.

In-office treatments typically involve using a high concentration of teeth bleaching agents like hydrogen peroxide gel or carbamide peroxide in a controlled environment. These types of treatments can help with a whiter smile in a shorter duration of time and you may find that results are long-lasting.

Professional At-Home Teeth Whitening Kits

Teeth whitening kits typically involve a product with a whitening agent along with a whitening device that could accentuate the whitening effect - like an LED tray. These professional at-home whitening kits are typically provided by dentists to use in the comfort of your home. This can also be followed up with regular dental cleanings. 

Other Teeth Whitening Products

Teeth whitening toothpastes, toothbrushes, strips, and pens are items that are typically more budget-friendly and convenient when compared to professional treatments. The results might not be as fast as in-office treatments, but they can still produce visible teeth whitening over a period of time.

How Much Does Teeth Whitening Cost?

The cost of teeth whitening in India will vary depending on the treatment you choose. There are two main teeth whitening procedures: in-office and at-home teeth whitening.

  • If you choose professional teeth whitening, you'll need to visit the dentist's office, where teeth whitening will be performed. Professional teeth whitening costs range anywhere from ₹7,000 to ₹20,000* for full teeth whitening treatment. While this is more expensive than at-home options, many prefer professional teeth whitening since they feel it provides better results.

  • At-home teeth whitening kits are an affordable option. Teeth whitening kits often cost around ₹5000*. Many people prefer this as an alternative since it's less expensive than professional teeth whitening.

  • Other teeth whitening products, such as whitening toothpastes and whitening strips, are even more affordable - these can range from INR 99 to ₹250**.

Factors that Affect Teeth Whitening Treatment Cost

There are factors that could impact the price of different products or treatments.

Professional In-Office Whitening

Location and infrastructure significantly impact cost due to the use of advanced technology for conducting the teeth whitening process.  Dental clinics in metropolitan areas with advanced infrastructure like laser teeth whitening often have higher treatment costs than those in smaller cities or less developed regions.

The dentist's expertise is crucial for effective, safe best teeth treatment, reflecting in the pricing. Professional in-office whitening treatments are more effective and durable, leading to higher costs compared to at-home kits. The number of sessions needed also affects the overall cost.

At-Home Whitening Products

Different brands may have different technologies that can cause differences in price. Some brands may use newer, more effective technologies that can drive up the price of their products. Other factors that can impact teeth whitening cost in India include location of manufacturing, cost of ingredients in the formulation, and the cost of distribution of the product. 

In conclusion, there are different kinds of whitening products and treatments that are available to you. What kind of product or treatment you opt for can depend on the degree of whitening you need. Different kinds of products and treatments will have different costs - at-home whitening products typically cost less than in-clinic professional treatments and it’s important to make an informed decision before proceeding with any one.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best way to whiten teeth?

Opting for in-office treatments and other whitening products are good ways to whiten teeth. However, you must consult your professional in case you decide to opt for professional whitening treatment.

Can yellow teeth become white again?

There are several options to help you get rid of yellow teeth and make teeth white, ranging from changing your toothpaste to in-office teeth whitening treatments.

Which is the best whitening toothpaste?

Toothpaste that contains whitening agents can help whiten teeth swiftly. Colgate Visible White helps you get whiter teeth starting in a week, when used as directed.

Does teeth whitening last permanently?

Teeth whitening treatments are typically not permanent, but they could be long-lasting. The duration of teeth whitening effects can vary depending on different factors, including the treatment type and individual habits. While professional treatments may offer long-lasting results, over-the-counter products may provide only shorter-term improvements.

Will teeth whitening work if I have dental fillings?

Teeth whitening treatments are effective for teeth, but they do not change the colour of dental fillings or other restorations such as crowns. The materials used for these dental restorations do not respond to whitening treatments, so they will remain the same colour while your teeth may become whiter.

* Charges could vary between dentists and cities.

**Charges could vary depending on different products.