Last fact-checked:  20 March 2020

Save around 70% on teeth whitening in Tijuana. If you're based in the southern US states, a quick trip over the border could well be worth your while to save a few hundred dollars and improve your smile. Book with Dental Departures for guaranteed best prices at our partner clinics. 

Tijuana is a thriving tourist destination. US tourists, particularly from Southern California, have been visiting Tijuana for years, with the US dollar going much further in Northern Mexico's bargain shops and inexpensive bars and restaurants than it does at home.

But Tijuana is not just a tourist destination. Many people from other parts of Mexico, North America, South America and even Asia have made Tijuana their home. It is a growing city, and an important regional industrial and manufacturing hub. Economically, it is one of the wealthiest cities in Mexico and is recognized for its political and cultural significance.

The growth of Tijuana can be seen across all businesses and industries here, including medical and dental care. Tijuana has opened its arms to international patients, providing excellent facilities and modern cosmetic dentistry techniques, such as tooth whitening.

While the low cost of tooth whitening in Tijuana is a major factor drawing in dental tourists, the fact that the best facilities here are clean, modern and staffed by fully-qualified dentists and specialists is another huge plus. Dentists are well-trained and offer the same practices, techniques and brands available in the US and Canada. You can be certain that the tooth whitening treatments available in Tijuana are of the same standard that you receive at home.

The city is geared up to receive international visitors. International flights arrive daily at airports both in Tijuana and over the border in San Diego. The drive from San Diego takes less than an hour, and abundant brand-name accommodation is easy to find, from budget apartments to top-class spa hotels. English is spoken widely and you will discover a contemporary culture of excellent restaurants, entertainment and shopping, with prices substantially more affordable than at home.

Dental practices normally offer two types of tooth whitening treatments - laser whitening, which is carried out in the clinic, and at-home whitening, which is carried out at home (although the necessary trays and gel are provided by a dentist).

Both procedures use a peroxide-based bleaching gel, with varying concentrations. Gels with higher concentrations of peroxide provide a more noticeable whitening effect, but this can also lead to greater sensitivity affecting the soft tissues of the mouth. Gels with higher peroxide levels must be used with care, and this is why procedures using them should only be carried out by a dentist.

Laser Teeth Whitening

Laser whitening is carried out in around two hours, producing instant results. Before the process begins, stains and tartar will be removed with a thorough cleaning by your dentist. A shade chart will be used to assess the color of the teeth. A light-activated gel will be applied to the teeth after your gums, lips and cheeks have been shielded. Eye protection will be provided to guard the eyes against the laser. The laser will then be applied to the gel for around 15 minutes. This process is normally repeated twice although some alternative systems may require one single application for around 45 minutes.

When the treatment is complete, all traces of gel and mouth protection are removed and the shade chart used to assess the final result. Results are usually quite dramatic, with teeth appearing up to 10 shades lighter.

Professional Home Whitening Kits

Your dentist will first take impressions of your teeth so the trays can be made to fit your teeth. After a few days, once the trays are made, head back to your dentist again who will show you how to use the trays in combination with the gel. Depending on which whitening system is used, you may have to use the trays overnight while sleeping, or just pop them in for a couple of hours a day. Continue with the treatment until the desired degree of whitening is achieved. More gel can be obtained from your dentist either in Tijuana or back home. 

• Laser teeth whitening in the US costs between $500 and $1,000. Professional at-home whitening kits are about $500.
• Whitening systems in Tijuana start at around $200 for laser whitening and $150 for the professional at-home whitening kits.

Call our toll-free number or book online - whatever method suits you best. Before you decide on a clinic, check out our photos, virtual tours, patient reviews and maps, all of which are displayed on each listing. Then you can schedule your appointment with us online right here any time of the day or night, at no charge to you. Get the best prices and book your teeth whitening in Tijuana with Dental Departures.

Sources:

Bryant, Jackie. Everything You Need to Know Before Going to Tijuana. Thrillist. 27 April 2017. https://www.thrillist.com/entertainment/san-diego/things-you-need-to-know-before-you-go-to-tijuana-from-san-diego

Lopez-Hodoyan, Katia. Americans Heading to Tijuana for their Healthcare Needs. NBC San Diego. 4 November 2016. https://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/Americans-Heading-to-Tijuana-for-their-Healthcare-Needs-400082601.html

Stone, Brenna. How To Safely Use A Tooth Whitening Gel At Home. Colgate Oral Care Center. Website accessed: 11 May 2019. https://www.colgate.com/en-us/oral-health/cosmetic-dentistry/teeth-whitening/how-to-safely-use-a-tooth-whitening-gel-at-home-0813

Tooth Whitening. Oral Health Foundation. Website accessed: 11 May 2019. https://www.dentalhealth.org/tooth-whitening