Teeth Whitening – San Marcos, TX
Brightening Your Smile
It’s fairly common to start seeing stains and discolored spots on your teeth over the years. This is likely the reason why teeth whitening in San Marcos is such a popular cosmetic dentistry treatment; after all, everybody knows just how much of a powerful impression a dazzlingly bright smile can make. If you would like to whiten your teeth and are dissatisfied with the results you’ve gotten from over-the-counter products, give San Marcos Gentle Dental a call to see what professional options are available.
Why Choose San Marcos Gentle Dental for Teeth Whitening?
- Quick In-Office ZOOM Whitening
- Customized
Take-Home Kits - Patient-Focused Dental Practice
Who is a Good Candidate for Teeth Whitening?
Patients with stains from dark-colored foods and drinks, like coffee and marinara sauce, are often candidates for professional teeth whitening. In some cases, even those whose teeth are discolored from certain medications, smoking, or the natural aging process are eligible. Ultimately, the decision of whether or not this cosmetic dentistry service is right for you will be decided at your consultation, which is why you will meet with our dentists to discuss your dental history, your oral health, and your smile goals.
How Does Teeth Whitening Work?
There are two teeth whitening options: in-office and take-home. Below, you’ll find more information on each, but don’t hesitate to reach out to us if you have any questions or you’d like to schedule a consultation!
Take-Home Teeth Whitening
Take-home teeth whitening typically takes a couple of weeks. This is longer than an in-office whitening treatment, but the results are no less dazzling. It’s a very simple process; all you need to do is take the provided whitening trays and fill them with bleaching gel. Then you can wear your trays for a specified length of time, during which you can carry on with your normal activities. Remember that you can call us at any time during the process if you have questions.
In-Office Teeth Whitening
Our ZOOM in-office whitening treatment delivers fast results for those bothered by discolored enamel. In fact, we can complete the whitening process in just an hour! Part of the reason why ZOOM is so effective is that it has hydrogen peroxide as an active ingredient. When hydrogen peroxide breaks down, oxygen can penetrate your enamel and whiten any substances that might be causing discoloration. Don’t worry; it won’t have any effect on the tooth’s overall structure.
Tips for Maintaining Your Brighter Smile
Whether you chose an in-office whitening treatment or opted for a take-home one, you want the results to last! The best way to prevent stubborn stains from resurfacing is by adopting good habits, like:
- Eating white fish, plain yogurt, and other light-colored foods
- Using a straw when drinking beverages like coffee and wine
- Brushing and flossing your teeth consistently
- Coming in for a dental checkup and teeth cleaning twice a year
- Not using any tobacco products
Understanding the Cost of Teeth Whitening
Knowing how much professional teeth whitening will cost can determine whether you choose to proceed or not. The price tag for any kind of cosmetic dental treatment can be one of the largest factors to consider, but you may be surprised to learn that this type of service is more affordable than you think. Not only is the fee different for each person, but it’s also much more cost-effective than anything you might buy over the counter. To better understand how much you can expect to pay for teeth whitening, call our office or keep reading below.
Factors that Affect the Cost of Teeth Whitening
Professional teeth whitening is not a one-size-fits-all form of treatment. Instead, it’s customized based on each person’s unique needs. So, when you’re scheduled to meet a member of our San Marcos Gentle Dental team, you can expect us to evaluate your smile and establish the following factors:
- Do you have intrinsic, extrinsic, or age-related tooth stains or discoloration? How severe are they?
- Do you require preliminary treatments, like gum disease therapy?
- Do you currently have any existing restorations that will not respond to teeth whitening?
Types of Teeth Whitening: What Do They Cost?
With so many different teeth whitening options available on the market, you may wonder about their cost. You should know that they have a wide range that looks something like the following:
- In-Office Whitening: These can range between $400-$800. Some rare cases can be as high as $1,000.
- Take-Home Whitening: With custom-made trays and professional-grade bleaching gel, you can expect to spend between $200-$300.
- Store-Bought Whitening Trays: These one-size-fits-all options typically run around $100 or less.
- Store-Bought Strips, Gels, & Toothpastes: These are the least expensive options, ranging between $7-$40.
Fast Teeth Whitening VS Inexpensive Teeth Whitening
It’s natural to want to spend less on cosmetic teeth whitening treatment, but what you may not realize is that cheaper isn’t always better. In fact, our dentists in San Marcos may charge a bit more for professional applications, but your results will be worth the added expense. The reason is that a skilled cosmetic dentist can use high-quality products to produce whiter teeth in less time and without potentially damaging your gums.
Not only do we ensure you are a qualified candidate for treatment, but we also make sure you receive the type of service and care you deserve, no matter if you opt for in-office or take-home whitening. You can expect the results you achieve will leave you pleased with the state of your smile much longer.
Options for Making Teeth Whitening Affordable
Since professional teeth whitening is not covered by dental insurance, you will be required to pay out of pocket for treatment. If you are interested, we have an in-house dental savings plan that makes it easy to pay off over time instead of upfront. By enrolling, you can pay one low annual fee and gain access to preventive services. You’ll also receive a 15% discount on all cosmetic procedures if you choose to participate in the advanced plan.
Another option is to apply for CareCredit Financing. Instead of worrying about the out-of-pocket expenses that are often required upfront, you can pay them off over time so that you keep more money in your pocket and avoid going over your available budget.
Teeth Whitening FAQs
Is Teeth Whitening Permanent?
The results of professional teeth whitening usually last anywhere from three to six months. The best way to ensure stubborn stains don’t surface sooner than that is by implementing healthy habits, like brushing your teeth after each meal. You should also be mindful of what you eat. For example, you shouldn’t over-indulge on BBQ sauce, tomato soup, or curry, and you should use a straw when drinking dark-colored beverages, like coffee.
Does Teeth Whitening Hurt?
There is a common misconception that whitening your teeth will hurt. In reality, what leads to discomfort, sensitivity, and soreness is overuse of brightening products. That’s one of the many perks of professional teeth whitening: it’s overseen by a licensed dental professional.
Tip: If you struggle with dental sensitivity, don’t hesitate to let our San Marcos dental team know! We can space out your treatments and recommend a de-sensitizing toothpaste to use at home.
Is There Anything You Can’t Eat After Whitening Your Teeth?
Immediately following your teeth whitening treatment, you shouldn’t eat marinara sauce, blackberries, or any other dark-colored foods. Instead, you should focus on eating plain yogurt, bananas, oatmeal, and other light-colored foods that won’t stain your teeth. It’s also important to drink lots of water; this will help remove lingering food particles and residue, reducing the risk of stubborn stains resurfacing in the process.
What’s the Difference Between Professional and Store-Bought Teeth Whitening?
Commercials on TV and ads on social media would have you believe that there’s only one difference between over-the-counter kits and professional teeth whitening treatments: the price. The reality is that there are several other noteworthy differences, starting with the fact that we consider the cause and severity of the discoloration. We also customize each treatment to the patient, ensuring that the final result is a flawless, seamless, and beautiful smile.
How Long Does Teeth Whitening Take?
Typically, it takes about two weeks to achieve results with our take-home whitening kits. Conversely, our in-office treatments can lighten your teeth by eight shades or more in a single visit! So, if you are on a bit of a time constraint because you have an important event, like a wedding, coming up, you might prefer the latter. If that’s the case, let us know! We will do everything we can to ensure you have a smile you’re proud to show off in time.
How Can I Reduce the Cost of Teeth Whitening?
Typically, cosmetic dental treatments, like teeth whitening, are paid for out-of-pocket. As a result, many patients are curious what they can do to reduce the cost. At San Marcos Gentle Dental, there are a few options! First, you can sign up for CareCredit flexible financing so the cost is broken up into smaller, more manageable chunks. Second, you can sign up for our advanced in-house plan, which includes a 15% discount on smile-enhancing services. To learn more about either of these options, give us a call – we’d be happy to answer any questions you have!