We all want that beautiful, white smile, but it’s hard for most people to be able to afford those teeth whitening costs for the services that dentists provide. And, you can forget about insurance covering any part of the cost. So unless you’re a dentist – or you have some money – you’re pretty much left out in the cold as far getting those teeth to shine within your budget. Or, are you? Happily, there are a few affordable ways to get those whites pearly, and here is a short list of them now:
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.
For starters, paint-on gels contain the least amount of whitening agent of all the over-the-counter products. And, it’s more than a bit tricky using that tiny brush to coat each tooth with the nasty tasting gel base. You may end up eating some accidentally, as this product has a tendency to slide off some teeth, and into your mouth – yet become glue-like and stick to others. And, if you manage to get through the ordeal and stick with using it, you may find, like many already have, that all that icky tasting gel didn’t make one bit of difference in the appearance of your teeth!
Whitening strips – Some people swear by whitening strips in regards to brightening up their smiles by a several shades. However, it is a bit more pricey than the paint gel – ranging anywhere from $15 to $20 – unless the brand you pick is on sale. And, you have to learn how to correctly apply the proper strip to the appropriate upper or lower set of teeth or you’ll end up wasting a few of them. Once you get this down, however, you’re home free after approximately 10 to 15 minutes – when the whitening is done, and you can remove them.
Although, “tastier” than the gel paints, the flavor of the strips still aren’t great, but the good news is that you can get used to it without feeling too nauseous. Some companies now make flavored strips that do the whitening, then “dissolve” right on the teeth. The only problem with this is, the product tends to melt completely off on some teeth, and gunk up on others – just like the aforementioned paint-on tooth gel. But the important thing is, if you follow the directions for using them, you WILL start to notice your teeth getting whiter in no time!
Mother Nature’s secrets – And, there are even some natural ways to whiten your teeth – ways that cheap and easily found at your local grocery store! You mix baking soda with salt – then dip your toothbrush in a bit of hydrogen peroxide, and use it like a toothpaste. After awhile, your teeth will start to get whiter – thanks to the hydrogen peroxide. However, be careful not to brush too hard as baking soda is a bit on the abrasive side, and can harm your enamel.
A more flavorful way to shine up those teeth is by using the inside of an orange peel to rub on the front side of each tooth – a routine which many people swear by in working well, and fast! But there is a downside, of course. You will need to be very careful to rinse your mouth out with water, immediately after each “rub”. This is because citrus contains natural acids that are known to eat into teeth if any residue at all, is left behind on them. So, if you choose to whiten this way, make sure you’re careful in doing it.
So now you know some cheap ways to get around high teeth whitening costs. Try several of the suggestions, until you’ve found the one that works best for you. And, if none of these do the trick, just get online and search around until you find one that does!
Learn more about teeth whitening costs at teeth whitening guide.
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