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 found the strip to be effective enough that they use it exclusively for their whitening needs - however, depending on what brand you buy, one kit can be as high as $27 a box. Then, you have to memorize which strip goes on the upper, and which one goes on the lower set of teeth. But, after you get the routine down, you can plan on relaxing for the 10 minutes it takes for the strips to do the bleaching work.
Although slightly better tasting that the paint brush gel product, the flavor of the strips still isn't anything to write home about - so be prepared for more unpleasant tastes. And, for those who are interested, there are some strips made with a "flavor" base, that the manufacturer says will bleach your teeth, then conveniently dissolve away to nothing in your mouth. However, it doesn't happen quite like it does in the commercials - which promote things in a much too easy-breezy way to be true. Instead, many times the product will gunk up as it's dissolving, and then form a glue-like mass on some of your teeth. However the important thing is, by following the directions in using the whitening strip, you should start to notice quite a difference in the color of your teeth, in a very short time.
Natural alternatives - There are even some ways to shine up those choppers, courtesy of Mother Nature herself. Baking soda, salt and a dip of hydrogen peroxide on your toothbrush, not only cleans your teeth wonderfully, but will start to whiten them with continued use - although the process is slower than that of the over-the-counter products. And, the taste of the baking soda is NOT pleasant. Another snafu is if you tend to brush your teeth too hard as a habit, you could start to wear away your enamel with the baking soda's abrasive properties.
And there's even a aromatic way to spit shine those pearly's - just rub each tooth down with the inside of an orange peel. This is said to work amazingly fast, however, you can damage your teeth if you're not careful - as citrus contains acids that wear the enamel down. So, if you are going to use this system, make sure after you "rub", you "rinse" really well.
So, now you're in "the know" about a few ways to get around the high teeth whitening costs. Maybe you'll be lucky, and one of these ways will work to whiten your teeth to your satisfaction. And, if you want even more information about the whitening process - and more suggestions regarding affordable alternatives - then hop on the internet and see what you can find.
