How Much Does Teeth Whitening Cost in the UK?

Teeth whitening is one of the simplest and most effective solutions to enhance the look of your smile. Look at this blog to find out potential solutions for your teeth whitening in the UK and also get to know associated teeth whitening treatment costs and related aspects.

What are the teeth whitening treatment costs in the UK?

There are several methods in the current world of cosmetic dentistry to improve your smile. However, teeth whitening stands as one of the most popular techniques to enhance the look of your smile.

If you have got discoloured or stained teeth, there are several options to help brighten your smile. Teeth whitening is perhaps the best way if you are looking to improve the colour of your teeth.

The professional teeth whitening treatment cost range from £150 to £1,000 in the UK. Different treatment options like laser whitening, professional in office or home treatment incurs different range of costs.

However, the dental whitening costs in the UK depend on a number of factors. From your dental practice to your individual dental needs and concerns to the type of whitening treatment you go for, all these factors collectively determine the costs of your dental whitening treatment. 

Teeth Whitening Method	Avg. Teeth Whitening Charges
Cost of laser teeth whitening in UK	£ 300 - £ 1000
Professional In-office Whitening	£200 - £700
At-Home Whitening Under Dentist Supervision	£200 -£400

Laser Teeth Whitening

This method uses advanced laser technology to accelerate the whitening speed. It uses a whitening gel on the teeth, and a laser is applied to activate the gel. This enhances the effectiveness of the whitening agent. The entire treatment can be completed in a single session with duration of a couple of hours.

• Pros: This procedure gives quick results with significantly whiter teeth, and usually within a single session.
• Cons: It is quite an expensive option, and might lead to increased sensitivity after treatment.

Professional In-office Whitening

This method is usually performed by a qualified professional dentist and involves using highly concentrated bleaching agents to get rapid results. Here the dentist applies a concentrated whitening agent like hydrogen peroxide on your teeth. The process might also involve using light to enhance the whitening effect. The typical duration for executing this process is about 1 to 2 hours, completed within a single session.

• Pros: Gives immediate and noticeable result, and the procedure is done in a single dental visit.
• Cons: As compared to at-home whitening treatments, this technique incurs higher costs. It might also lead to temporary tooth sensitivity.

At-Home Whitening Under Dentist Supervision

These kits are made of custom trays and use professional grade whitening gels recommended by a dentist. These trays are customised to fit perfectly on the patient’s teeth.

Patients are required to apply the gel on the trays and wear them as instructed by the dentist, typically throughout the day or overnight for up to 1-2 weeks.

However, at-home teeth whitening has a flexible duration based on the individual patient case. Certain treatments like the Enlighten system use a combination of at-home and in-office treatments to achieve desired results.

• Pros: Professional supervision is integral to a safe, flexible, and effective treatment. The combination of professional expertise and at-home convenience offers more long lasting results of teeth whitening treatment.
  
  
• Cons: As this process yields gradual results, adhering patiently to the dentist’s instructions is crucial for optimal outcome. Use of multiple components in this combined treatment strategy automatically leads to higher costs.

Hidden Costs of Teeth Whitening Procedure

1. Initial Consultation: Most of the dentists charge for an initial consultation session, which may range between £50 and £150.
2. Touch-ups and Maintenance: Professional dental treatments need proper maintenance and follow-up sessions for ensuring lasting results, especially for individuals in habit of consuming staining substances like tea, coffee, or tobacco regularly. Each session costs around £50 to £200.
3. Post-treatment Products: Specialised mouthwash or toothpaste is used to prolong your treatment results. This might lead to additional expenses up to £10–£30 every month.
4. Sensitivity Treatments: Sensitivity might arise post treatment which requires desensitising gels or toothpaste which cost around £10 to £50.
5. Additional Whitening Gel: In case of at-home kits, additional gel refillsgeneraly cost between £30 and £60.

Factors Influencing the Cost

1. Clinic’s location: As compared to other regions, treatments in metropolitan areas like London have higher costs.
2. Expertise of the dentist: Cosmetic dentists with high professional experience and expertise charge premium rates.
3. Type of whitening: As compared to gel-only treatments, laser-enhanced treatments are usually more expensive.
4. Extent of staining: Excessive discolouration of teeth requires combined treatments or multiple sessions which eventually need extra expenses.

Risks and Considerations

• Overuse of whitening agents: Causes damage to your enamel and entire teeth, increasing sensitivity.
• Gum irritation: Poor fitting of trays and over the counter products often cause gum discomfort.
• Limited effectiveness: Intrinsic stains resulting from medication, trauma, or ageing cannot be addressed by over the counter products.

Are you eligible for dental whitening?

Although majority of patients are fit for undergoing the teeth whitening treatment, some cases may be exceptional and require different solutions. For instance:

• Any cosmetic procedure requires you to be over 18 years old 
• You must have healthy gums and teeth
• If you are pregnant or a breastfeeding mother, the dentist will recommend delaying the procedure
• If you have already undergone any dental treatment before like bridges, crowns or veneers, teeth whitening treatment does not affect those appliances.

Before undergoing a tooth whitening treatment, you will go through a consultation session with your dentist where you will be examined thoroughly if you are fit for undertaking the procedure.

Is teeth whitening safe for sensitive teeth?

If performed carefully and with the good quality products, tooth whitening is safe for sensitive teeth. For this you must go for specific methods especially designed for sensitive teeth, such as whitening agents containing desensitising agents or containing low concentrations of peroxide.

Consulting a dentist before undergoing teeth whitening is the best way to minimise discomfort during the treatment. However, it is important to note that misuse of over the counter products can trigger sensitivity, making professional whitening treatments a more reliable option. It is best to avoid excessive whitening to reduce the risks of sensitivity and protect enamel at the same time.    

How to make you teeth whitening longer lasting?

As teeth whitening is an expensive cosmetic dentistry procedure, it isnecessary that you follow a proper aftercare routine after your teeth whitening treatment to enjoy amazing prolonged results which can last for up to 3 years.

Besides a proper oral hygiene including brushing, and flossing, here are some tips you must follow to prevent stains and damage to your teeth:

• Avoid tea, coffee, red wine or sugary soft drinks 
• Quit smoking and tobacco products 
• Avoid tomato based sauce and vinegars

Does teeth whitening damage teeth?

If done correctly, teeth whitening typically do not cause any damage to the teeth. Products approved by teeth whitening dentists and professional treatments are safe as they do not cause any harm to the enamel.

 However, unregulated treatments and overuse of over the counter whitening products may increase sensitivity and weaken your enamel. Avoid excessive whitening, follow guidelines, and consult a dentist for an effective and safe teeth whitening experience.

Does fluoride whiten teeth?

Fluoride does not whiten your teeth, but makes your enamel strong and prevents tooth decay. Fluoride functions by remineralising tooth enamel and safeguarding them against cavities. This brings an overall improvement in the appearance of your teeth.

Teeth whitening require specialised products like peroxide based treatments. Fluoride is important for oral health maintenance and makes whitening treatments longer lasting. 

Final Thoughts

If you are searching for “professional teeth whitening near me” to achieve a whiter and brighter smile, there are many different solutions for teeth whitening treatment in the UK. However, the teeth whitening treatment costs vary across individual cases and locations. So, if you are living with stained or yellow teeth, it’s time you make a change.