Teeth whitening procedures are considered cosmetic, and since most insurance companies won't cover such treatments this means that the cost of teeth whitening falls on the customer. For many people the cost of professional whitening in a dentist's office ($600+) is too expensive and they're forced to search for alternative methods to achieve a brighter smile. This article is going to give a few tips on ways that you can successfully whiten your teeth at a cost that won't empty your wallet.

We're going to assume that all forms of professional whitening are outside your budget, which leaves us to choose from the home whitening methods. The most successful and cost effective method is to use whitening strips in conjunction with a baking soda and peroxide based toothpaste.

Whitening strips are relatively inexpensive, ranging from $20-$50 depending on the brand and length of treatment. The treatment usually lasts from 1-2 weeks and the effects can last 6 months or more. The strips are small pieces of soft plastic that has a thin layer of bleaching gel applied to it. You place the strip on your teeth (top and bottom) and leave it there for up to an hour depending on what your particular product calls for.

Although the success of whitening strips aren't the same as that of professional whitening, strips are likely to provide more bang for your dollar. They may not get your teeth as white as you want the first time, but you can go through consecutive treatments of whitening strips if need be. And the cost will still be much less than laser treatment.

The amount of whitening that toothpastes are capable of is still being debated, but using one with baking soda and peroxide will help keep teeth looking white. So, if you're able to bring your teeth to a couple shades whiter, as most strip products claim to do, then using whitening toothpaste on a regular basis should prolong the effects of the whitening strips.

If you're looking for whitening treatments that don't require a large investment, of time or money, you should try these. For less than $100 a year you can have your teeth looking sparkling white for a long, long time.