Teeth whitening is a popular cosmetic dental procedure in the UK, offering a quick and effective way to enhance your smile.
But how much does teeth whitening cost in the UK? The answer varies depending on the type of treatment you choose.
This post will delve into the options available and their associated costs, helping you make an informed decision. We will start with cheaper, dentist-free options and then discuss professional whitening treatments.
Read our complete guide on teeth whitening here.
Summary of teeth whitening costs in the UK
Over-the-counter pastes and gels - From £2
Over-the-counter whitening kits - From £20
Professional hygienist cleaning - From £75
Professional home whitening - £200 - £650
Professional in surgery whitening - £550 - £950
Dentist-free whitening options
In order to whiten your teeth without seeing a dentist, you are limited to over-the-counter and online products that don’t contain more than 0.1% Carbamide peroxide (the bleaching agent in professional whitening products).
There are two main types of dentist-free products you can use to whiten your teeth.
Whitening pastes, gels and serums
Over-the-counter Whitening kits
Tooth whitening toothpastes, gels and serums
Many toothpastes claim that they can whiten your teeth. Usually, this is just clever marketing. No toothpaste sold in the UK can change the colour of your teeth.
What they can do, however, is remove superficial staining and build-up to make your teeth look cleaner, glossier and sometimes whiter.
These products start from around £2 and can increase to £20.
If you would like to try some whitening pastes or serums, please make sure you read the instructions carefully. Some products are designed to replace your toothpaste, while others are intended to be used alongside it.
HiSmile V34 Colour Corrector - £7.99
Zing toothpaste - £9.99
Enlighten White - £13.99
Colgate Max White Ultimate - £18.00
Our verdict - Give them a go! But don't expect a drastic dazzling white smile by using these products.
Over-the-counter teeth whitening kits
These whitening kits, purchased at pharmacies, supermarkets, or online, typically start at prices as low as £20 and are limited to 0.1% Carbamide Peroxide.
The main advantage of these kits is their affordability and the convenience of being able to use them at home without the need for a dentist's appointment.
They usually include products like whitening strips, gels, DIY trays and blue LED lights.
Since these kits contain very little peroxide, the whitening effect only lasts a few hours. The gels make your teeth look whiter by dehydrating them and making them look glossy, but this will wear away once your saliva hydrates your teeth again and washes away the residual gel.
To make the whitening effect last, you must continuously use these products, which can cost a lot of money.
MySmile Teeth Whitening Kit - £26.99
Our verdict - Don’t bother. They will end up costing a lot of money, but if you are incredibly nervous about seeing a dentist or want a slight boost for a single event, then there is no harm in trying them.
Professional Teeth Whitening options
The best way to whiten your teeth effectively and safely is by visiting a dentist and getting professional treatment.
Dentists will first ensure your teeth are healthy, diagnose the cause of your discolouration and then create the perfect treatment plan for you.
Dentists can prescribe whitening gels that contain carbamide peroxide in much higher concentrations, which will change the internal colour of your teeth to a whiter shade. This effect can last many years with the proper maintenance.
Dentist-led teeth whitening is more expensive than over-the-counter options but will last much longer.
There are three main ways your dentist will whiten your teeth
Hygienist treatment - From £75
Professional home whitening - From £200 - £650
Professional in-surgery whitening - From £550 - £950
Hygienist treatment
The first step to professionally whiten your teeth is to make sure your teeth are free from any build-up of plaque or tartare, which can stain and cause yellowness. A dental hygienist will use an ultrasonic scaler to remove any build-up and then polish your teeth' with special pastes to make them shine.
You can also opt for an ‘air-flow’ treatment at many clinics, a powdery spray that leaves your teeth with a glossy finish.
Hygienist treatment won’t change the colour of your teeth but will provide a foundation for the treatments below.
Costs vary between clinics but typical pricing for a full hygiene cleaning with airflow starts from £95 to £200.
Professional home whitening
This is, by far, the best and most cost-effective way to whiten your teeth!
Professional home teeth whitening involves seeing your dentist. You will take a mould or scan of your teeth and work with their lab technician to make a custom-fit whitening tray to wear home.
They will then prescribe you one of 3 possible concentrations of whitening gels available in the UK, depending on your whitening plan and experience.
10% Carbamide peroxide
16% Carbamide peroxide
6% Hydrogen peroxide
You will wear these trays at home daily for around 2-4 weeks. This can be done during the day for 2-3 hours or overnight.
Your teeth will gradually whiten over this period, and you can stop once you achieve the level of whiteness that you are happy with.
Professional home whitening varies in price across the UK. Still, you can expect to pay between £200 and £650 depending on the location of your clinic, the specific products used, and the amount of whitening gel prescribed for your discolouration.
Top tip - how to get home whitening for cheaper
Home whitening is often discounted at dental practices around Christmas, Black Friday, and other seasonal sales.
Many clinics will also offer teeth whitening for free if you have other cosmetic treatments like veneers, composite bonding or Invisalign.
If you have a large dental treatment plan and are looking for a discount, whitening can usually be negotiated down or included as a bonus offer.
Professional in-surgery whitening
in surgery, teeth whitening involves sitting in the dental chair for around 90 minutes with bleaching gel on your teeth and sometimes an LED light.
It’s the quickest form of whitening as you don’t need to have any trays made and can be done on the spot; however, because it uses up a dentist’s chair for around 2 hours, it is also the most expensive option.
In-surgery whitening is best for people who need to get their teeth whitened in a rush, for example, before a wedding or an event.
Your teeth will become white very quickly, but they will also fade back relatively quickly, which is why many clinics will give you some whitening trays and gels to carry on whitening at home after your in-surgery session.
In-surgery teeth whitening starts at £550 and can cost up to £950.
What’s the best option for me?
So, there you have it. All the different price points for whitening your teeth in the UK.
To get the best results, we recommend you get professional home whitening from your dentist.
If you're looking for something cheaper, experiment with some of the products we mentioned at the start of the article, but just be warned that the effect will not last.
And finally, if you’re in a hurry, then in-surgery whitening is your last resort.
Get personalised advice and recommendations from our online dentists
If you need help deciding what products or dentists are the best around you, you can speak to one of our online dentists by clicking the button below. We’ll help you determine your best options and direct you to a partner clinic in your area.
