From in-office treatments to at-home kits, learn what really works and how to preserve your smile’s brightness over time.
Teeth Whitening: Dental Experts Share Options, Costs, and Long-Term Maintenance
Published on Jul. 15, 2025
About the experts
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Highlights
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Teeth whitening is a cosmetic treatment that brightens your smile by removing stains, explains Shereen S. Azer, BDS, MSc, MS, FACP, Associate Professor and Chair of the Division of Restorative and Prosthetic Dentistry at the Ohio State University College of Dentistry. The process involves bleaching agents that break down discoloration caused by foods and drinks, smoking, aging, and medications like tetracycline. (The Cleveland Clinic explains that tetracycline can “bind to tissues like teeth and bone and get incorporated into them—becoming part of the tooth” and cause graying or discoloration. The Clinic adds that individuals who took tetracycline before the age of eight are often at greatest risk for this long-term effect.)
While modern whitening methods have been around since the 1980s, those blindingly white celebrity smiles you see today? They’re not usually the result of whitening treatments, explains Joyce Kahng, DDS, a cosmetic and restorative dentist and owner of Orange + Magnolia Dental Studio. “A lot of the ultra-white smiles you see on celebrities and influencers are actually veneers,” she says. “There’s a limit to how white natural teeth can get with whitening—veneers can push beyond that threshold.”
Plus, everyone’s teeth whitening potential is different, Dr. Kahng notes. “Someone with greenish-gray or translucent teeth may not be able to get as bright as someone with more opaque, naturally white enamel.” That’s why several options are available to help you find what works best for your smile.
Teeth whitening options
“There isn’t really a universal ‘gold standard’ that all dentists rely on,” says Dr. Kahng. Your smile is unique, and certain methods may work better depending on your dental health and goals. For the best, safest results, “a dentist should always evaluate your case before you begin.”
Don’t expect immediate results, either. “It’s a process,” Dr. Kahng explains. How well your treatment works and is maintained can come down to lifestyle factors, like being a regular coffee or red wine drinker.
Professional in-office whitening
During in-office whitening, Dr. Azer says that your dentist targets deeper stains with high-concentration bleaching agents, such as:
- Carbamide peroxide (33 to 44%), applied in custom trays
- Hydrogen peroxide (30 to 50%), activated with heat or light
Hydrogen peroxide use is also known as “power bleaching” thanks to its rapid effects, making it ideal before a big event. While power bleaching works a bit faster, both options deliver comparable overall results and stability, according to 2025 research published in The Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry. However, hydrogen peroxide is more likely to cause side effects, such as sensitivity.
Still, some discoloration is tougher to treat, like tetracycline stains. But your dentist may be able to recommend alternatives. “I often turn to KöR Whitening,” Dr. Kahng says. This system uses temperature-stabilized formulations over chemical preservatives, which can reduce sensitivity and boost results for those with stubborn stains.
Veneers
“Veneers don’t whiten teeth, they cover them,” Dr. Kahng explains. These days, this is often what we see celebrities sporting to exhibit a broad, white smile with wide, perfectly shaped teeth. There are two main types of veneers:
- No-prep veneers that go directly on top of the tooth
- Traditional veneers, which require removing a bit of tooth structure
“No-prep veneers carry less risk since they’re non-invasive, but any time we drill back the tooth, that’s irreversible,” Dr. Kahng says. “That said, veneers can completely transform the color and shape of a smile, especially for people who aren’t good candidates for whitening.”
At-home whitening kits from dentists
“Custom trays are one of my favorite ways to whiten,” Dr. Kahng says. She explains that your dentist takes molds or scans of your teeth to create trays that fit you perfectly. Then, at home, you apply a professional-strength gel stronger than what’s sold over the counter.
“Unlike in-office treatments, which often only lift your shade slightly after one session, trays allow you to whiten gradually and consistently,” she explains. “Plus, once you have the trays, maintenance becomes super affordable. The gel refills are typically $20–$25 each, and you can manage the whole process at home with professional-level products.”
Over-the-counter options
“Whitening strips typically use hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide to break down stain molecules in your teeth, kind of like how OxiClean lifts stains from fabric,” Dr. Kahng explains. These are the same ingredients your dentist uses but at lower levels, so results are slower. The American Dental Association (ADA) suggests that over-the-counter products take at least 16 days to achieve the same effect as one in-office procedure.
Whitening toothpastes are effective for surface-level stains that build up from things like coffee, tea, or tobacco—but they don’t target deep stains the way that strips or trays do, Dr. Kahng says.
“As for [whitening] pens, I’m not a big fan,” she says. “Most pens contain a very low concentration of peroxide (around 2.5–3%), which means they’re more for quick touch-ups than meaningful whitening.”
How much does teeth whitening cost?
The cost of a professional teeth whitening treatment will vary based on your location, your dentist’s experience, the type of treatment or technology used, and the severity of discoloration.
But in general, you can expect to pay within these ranges for teeth whitening treatments:
- In-office teeth whitening: $300 to $1,400
- Professional home kits: $375 to $500 (though as Dr. Kahng explained, refills are around $20-$25)
- No-prep veneers: $800 to $3,500 per tooth
- Over-the-counter products: $4 to $65, depending on the product
Keep in mind that because teeth whitening is a cosmetic treatment, insurance usually doesn’t cover it.
Potential side effects and risks of teeth whitening treatments
The experts say that tooth and gum sensitivity are the most common side effects of teeth whitening. But this is usually temporary and resolves on its own. “Sensitivity isn’t necessarily a bad sign, it often means the product is working,” says Dr. Kahng. But if it’s bothersome, Dr. Azer recommends pausing treatment for a few days.
“If you’re prone to sensitivity, I love Opalescence Go,” adds Dr. Kahng. “It has potassium nitrate built in, which helps desensitize the teeth, and it’s clearly labeled with 10% or 15% concentrations, unlike some other brands.”
The main risks come from overusing over-the-counter products, according to 2022 research published in Applied Sciences. Too much exposure can weaken enamel, increasing the risk of cavities, decay, and future staining. “Always follow the directions and pay attention to [peroxide] concentration,” Dr. Kahng emphasizes. “For example, Crest Whitestrips generally recommend no more than two full boxes per year.”
Still, some people should avoid using whitening treatments—like if you have veneers or crowns. “Whitening doesn’t affect restorations and in fact, it could damage the glaze on veneers over time due to the acidity of some [over-the-counter] products,” Dr. Kahng says. “Also, if you have a root canal on a front tooth, it won’t whiten like the others, and that mismatch can become more noticeable.”
How to maintain whitened teeth
“For the first 48 hours after whitening, it’s crucial to avoid staining foods and drinks—coffee, red wine, berries, anything dark,” Dr. Kahng says. “Your teeth are more porous after whitening and more prone to absorbing color.” Dr. Azer adds that highly acidic foods and beverages can alter the surface of your teeth, making staining more likely.
Long-term maintenance often comes down to your lifestyle. “Someone who drinks multiple coffees a day will likely need to do touch-ups more frequently, maybe even once a month to maintain their results,” Dr. Kahng explains. “It’s all about your habits.”
One essential habit is good oral hygiene. “It is very important to seek professional dental hygiene cleaning at least every six months to remove deposits and stains and maintain healthy teeth and gums,” Dr. Azer says. “It is equally important to brush your teeth on a daily basis to keep them clean and minimize stains.”
Dr. Azer says you can use whitening toothpastes or strips between professional treatments, but this might increase the risk of sensitivity or irritation. Plus, he notes that recent reports suggest combining whitening treatments don’t necessarily enhance results—and overdoing it can make your teeth more prone to staining.
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