In today’s fast-growing world, first impressions have become all the more important. A vital part of your first look is your smile.

Tooth color plays a huge role in a beautiful smile. This is why teeth whitening treatments are gaining popularity by the day.

If you are to get this procedure in the USA, Canada, the UK or Australia, you might have to pay a fortune.

Conversely, teeth whitening treatment abroad in dental tourism destinations like Mexico, Thailand, Costa Rica, or El Salvador will cost you 50-80% less.

Alternatively known as dental bleaching, teeth whitening could also be done as part of a broader treatment plan, for example, a full mouth restoration.

Who is a Candidate for Teeth Whitening Treatment?

Teeth whitening or dental bleaching becomes necessary when the patient’s teeth, especially those at the front, are stained.

Types of Teeth Stains

Tooth staining can be due to various reasons. On the whole, stains can be divided into the following broad categories:

Extrinsic Stains

Only the outer layer of the tooth, i.e., the enamel, is stained. This is why surface bleaching is usually enough to get rid of these stains.

Some of the reasons for extrinsic stains are:

• Tobacco: Chronic smokers tend to have conspicuous black blotches on their teeth. This is because of the constituents of tobacco.
• Coffee, Tea, or Wine: Tea and coffee contain tannins which stain the outer enamel surface after excessive consumption. Even red wine can stain your teeth in a pinkish hue.
• Dental Plaque: Dental plaque is a collection of bacteria which reside on top of your tooth. These bacteria produce substances that stain teeth. Plaque deposits usually have a dark yellow to brownish color.
• Chromogenic Bacteria: These are bacteria which produce colored substances that tend to stain natural teeth. If they are allowed to grow and multiply, tooth staining is bound to occur.
• Topical Medication: Certain medications consumed orally, for example, a liquid medicine for iron deficiency or anemia, may also cause staining. Even some medicated mouthwashes like Chlorhexidine are staining agents when used for long periods.
• Metallic compounds: Industrial exposure to iron, manganese or silver can cause black staining on teeth. Likewise, mercury and lead will leave a blue-green stain.

Intrinsic Stains

These stains are present on the inside of the tooth. Surface bleaching won’t get rid of intrinsic stains.

Some of the causes of intrinsic staining are:

Caries

• Caries are a bacterial infection affecting teeth.
• A brownish stain is visible, and it extends inside the tooth as well.
• They can be cured either by filling or by root canal treatment.
• The stain might still be visible, for which teeth bleaching can be done.

Trauma

• Trauma can have different kinds of effects on teeth.
• Sometimes a tooth might break on exertion of a sharp force.
• Other times, a tooth may not break at all, but lose its vitality instead.
• This condition will lead to dead tissue inside the tooth which will cause internal blackish discoloration.
• Aesthetically, staining due to trauma can be very displeasing, especially in the front teeth.
• If a tooth experiences trauma during its developmental stages before erupting, it appears as a white spot known as enamel hypoplasia.

Nutritional Deficiency

Low calcium content in your body can also sometimes cause staining.

Fluorosis

Excessive consumption of fluoride can lead to white spots on teeth. This condition is more prevalent in places where the water is fluoride-rich.

Drugs

If a mother consumes tetracycline during pregnancy, especially when the child’s teeth are forming, there might be yellowish staining.

These are known as tetracycline stains.

Dental Material

• Silver amalgam is one of the early materials used for dental fillings.
• Even nowadays, some people prefer it due to its low cost.
• This material gives a bluish-black stain to the tooth on which it is placed.

Genetic or Hereditary Defects

• Some individuals have genetic problems like Amelogenesis Imperfecta, Dentinogenesis Imperfecta or Dentin Dysplasia.
• They may have faulty teeth formation.
• Their teeth might be yellowish or have white spots.

Age Staining

• It is a combination of extrinsic and intrinsic stains.
• The underlying reason is the change that the tooth undergoes with advancing age.
• For example, while dentin becomes thicker, enamel decreases.
• This results in an increased yellow tinge to the tooth because of the yellowish color of dentin.

Types and Processes of Tooth Whitening

Bleaching usually works on yellow teeth more than it does on grayish discolorations. The agent generally used to bleach teeth is hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. It can be done in two ways:

In-office whitening

• As the name suggests, it is performed in a dental office by the dentist.
• The bleaching gel has a 10-44% peroxide concentration.
• In an office, methods like special lights and heat can be used to intensify and accelerate the process of the whitening process.
• It usually takes 1-2 hrs at the most.
• Newer methods, such as laser teeth whitening, have also become quite popular.
• These have proven to shorten the treatment time.

At-home care

Home bleaching kits are also available. These, however, have a specific way of application. You should always talk to your dentist about this before using it.

The concentration of peroxide used in these agents is 3- 20%. There are numerous methods of at-home bleaching as discussed below:

Non-Vital Dental Bleaching

This dental whitening option is for the tooth which has undergone a root canal treatment (RCT). The difference, in this case, is that the bleaching agent is placed inside the tooth canals.

It remains there for a specified period. This lightens the tooth color internally.

According to a 2018 research study, non-vital bleaching has also shown a positive impact on psychosocial factors and aesthetic perception of patients.

How Much Does Teeth Whitening Cost Abroad?

Dental treatment prices in countries such as the USA, the UK, and Australia, are through the roof. A feasible way out is getting your dental treatment done abroad.

You get the same quality treatment for prices that are easy on the pocket.

The following table shows the prices of dental bleaching all over the world, including the top dental tourism destinations.

While in-office teeth whitening in the United States and Canada cost $650, in Mexico, they are priced at just $170.

Australians can look into Thailand for cheap teeth whitening which costs just $288. In Australia, the average price of dental bleaching is $570.

Dental Bleaching FAQs

Dental filling costs without insurance varies depending on how many fillings your need, as well as the type of material used to fill the tooth.

1. How are at-home teeth whitening kits different from in-office whitening procedures?

At home bleaching kits are usually less concentrated in terms of peroxide content. They typically have about 3– 20% peroxide concentration as opposed to in-office gels having 10-44% concentration.

Peroxide can also damage and discolor your teeth on prolonged use. So, the lesser strength of at-home self-use kits will make sure you don’t hurt your teeth in the process.

The dental office is a controlled environment, so stronger concentrations can also be applied.

2. Can I get tooth whitening done at a beauty salon?

No! Many beauty salons offer tooth whitening services, but it is illegal to do so. Only a certified dentist is legally allowed to bleach your teeth.

3. How long will dental bleaching last?

Tooth whitening is not a permanent treatment. If you control your consumption of staining foods like tea, coffee, or wine, it can last a few years.

However, if you are a person with a high tea or coffee intake, you should expect the treatment to last a few months.

4. Which dentist is qualified to perform whitening procedures?

A general dentist is well qualified to perform any whitening procedure. If you are looking for an expert in dental and facial aesthetics, a cosmetic dentist might be your go-to specialist.

5. Is it safe to have teeth whitening during pregnancy?

Usually, elective procedures like bleaching are NOT recommended during pregnancy. Most dentist will advise you to wait until after delivery to have this dental treatment due to safety reasons.

6. Does bleaching work on fake teeth?

No. Crowns, veneers or composite restorations will not lighten after bleaching. If you want the same shade as the bleached teeth, the restoration will have to be replaced.

7. Are there any risks or disadvantages?

The main disadvantage of this method is that prolonged use might cause some sensitivity for a few days. This can be very troubling for some patients.

That’s why it’s important to follow your dentist’s instructions meticulously. Another minus point is that this treatment is temporary.

8. Can I get my desired tooth shade?

This depends on the type of stain you have. Yellow stains tend to take up bleaching very well.

On the other hand, if you have grayish-black discolorations, this treatment might not be the best option for you. The treated teeth have shown a 2-3 shade change in color after bleaching.

9. What are the other treatment options for getting a Hollywood smile?

In case you have stains which can’t be treated with bleaching alone, there are several other options under cosmetic dentistry that you can look into.

For example, veneers are a developing trend among people who want a Hollywood smile. In very severe cases, sometimes even crowns are placed on the front teeth, to make the smile beautiful.

10. Can tooth whitening damage my enamel?

There is no evidence that the whitening process damages the tooth enamel.

Contact us now for low-cost teeth whitening abroad. We work with top dentists and clinics in Thailand, Mexico, Costa Rica, and India.