Professional Teeth Whitening: Cost, Benefits, Aftercare & More

I've tried my fair share of at-home whitening treatments, some with more success than others. But no matter how hard I tried (or how much money I spent), the results were never that noticeable. In fact, sometimes I could be caught trying to convince myself that I saw any difference at all…and I doubt I'm the only one.

So, I set out on the journey to give professional whitening a try. I went in as a skeptic with some fear of new tooth sensitivity as a result. Luckily, I was met with a breezy experience and unexpectedly learned that the benefits of these treatments extend beyond cosmetic improvements.

First up, how are professional treatments any different from at-home whitening strips, pens, and kits? According to board-certified cosmetic dentist Kevin Sands, DDS, the key difference lies in the strength of the bleaching agents. 

"Professional teeth whitening uses a more effective process," he says. "The hydrogen peroxide content of your at-home kit is very low, whether you are using toothpaste, liquid-filled trays, or strips, dentists are able to use a stronger process."

Given the strength of these professional treatments, the cadence at which you'll whiten your teeth will also change. Many people use at-home products once a month or more, but as board-certified celebrity cosmetic dentist Victoria Veytsman, DDS, told mbg, those seeking professional whitening treatment only need to come in once or twice annually because the results last much longer. 

Sands notes that professional treatments are much safer than at-home options. "This is because you may overuse the abrasive bleaching agent as you try to lift off permanent stains," he says. 

When that happens, the protective tooth enamel gets damaged, which can lead to a host of problems—including increasing your risk of cavities, increasing sensitivity to cold and hot temperatures, and may even make your teeth more susceptible to stains. 

A professional teeth whitening treatment is sure to inspire you to take better care of your teeth, similar to how you'd treat your skin after investing in an expensive facial. While this may not apply to everyone, it's certainly a common outcome. 

As mentioned above, there are oral health benefits, too. "Professional teeth whitening can help to improve your oral health by removing stains and discoloration from your teeth," Sands explains. 

"This can help the appearance of your teeth look brighter and whiter—as well as help to reduce the risk of cavities and other oral health problems," he notes. 

While some people may say teeth whitening is a vanity-driven affair, your smile does have a significant impact on your confidence and therefore your mental health. 

The whole process of professional teeth whitening is fairly straightforward. However, I ran into some sneaky nuances along the way I'll share below. First I'll go over the process at the dentist's office, then I'll take you through the recommended aftercare routine I followed. 

After your conversation, your dentist will place a guard over your gums to protect them from the hydrogen peroxide and any lights or lasers used. This step was slightly uncomfortable for me, but nothing worse than the typical instruments used during dental X-rays. 

Next, they will apply hydrogen peroxide to your teeth, which acts as a bleaching agent. The light or laser your dentist uses will activate the hydrogen peroxide.

Here's where it gets customized: Depending on the severity of stains on your teeth, your dentist will recommend a custom strength of hydrogen peroxide and time under the light or laser. Any sensitivities you have will also alter these factors to ensure you have a comfortable and effective treatment. 

This one came as a bit of a shock to me, but after whitening you can't consume highly pigmented foods for at least 24 hours, and perhaps 48 hours if your dentist recommends it. For this reason, it's important to book your appointment at least a few days before any big event where you'll want to eat and drink anything you desire. 

You don't have to stick to white foods necessarily, but Veytsman recommends skipping anything that would stain a white T-shirt. Think berries, red wine, tomatoes, coffee, tea, soda, pigmented fruit juices, colorful sauces, etc.—and yes, I consider this downtime, because it interrupts your normal life even though you're not held back from doing other activities.

Any foods that don't have a rich pigment are A-OK. Think white meats and fish, light-colored vegetables and fruits, etc.

You may or may not feel sensitivity post-treatment and this comes from the hydrogen peroxide, as it dehydrates your teeth for a day or two, Veystman says. 

She notes that about 10% of people she treats experience sensitivity, which is quite short-lived. 

In my experience, I felt maybe two or three "zingers," as she calls them, which felt like slight twinges of discomfort, similar to how you may feel biting into an ice cream cone with your front teeth (cringe). Mine only lasted for an hour after the appointment, though. 

To minimize discomfort, you may want to avoid any super cold or super hot foods for the first few hours after your appointment. 

Now on to the fun part—the results. I've attached my before and after photos above for reference. I wanted to use flash photography in the second one to get a good look at my teeth, as the dimly lit images just didn't do the results justice. 

Now my teeth weren't super discolored to begin with, but they were quite uneven. I noticed parts of my teeth seemed more opaquely white than others, which is a problem I've never seen success with until now. 

As you can tell, my teeth after the treatment were much more even-toned, brighter, and even looked glossy. I must say, my skepticism has been dissolved. 

Here's the thing: Everyone has a different "ceiling," so to speak, of how white their teeth can get with these treatments. It's similar to a suntan, Veytsman says, so no matter how white you may want your teeth to be, there is a limit, and everyone's is different. 

If you've been considering teeth whitening treatments and you have access to a dentist you trust, go for it. Just be sure your oral health is in good shape beforehand. For those who have tried countless at-home remedies with little to no success (I relate) this is a worthy investment. 

Other than that, it all comes down to how important this venture is to you. If you've never felt insecure about the color of your teeth, then it's probably not worth your money.