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Teeth whitening can help brighten your smile and boost your confidence. If you’re wondering, “Does dental insurance cover teeth whitening?” the answer is typically no. Most dental insurance plans don’t cover cosmetic procedures like teeth whitening. Read on to learn why teeth whitening is rarely covered, how much it costs without insurance and what your dental plan can help you pay for instead.
Table of Contents
Teeth whitening is a cosmetic dental treatment that uses bleaching agents to lighten the color of your teeth. These agents penetrate your enamel to break down stains and restore a brighter appearance. Teeth whitening only works on natural teeth, so it won't change the color of crowns, veneers or implants.
You can whiten your teeth in a dental office or at home, depending on your budget and the level of whitening you’re looking for.
Teeth whitening costs vary widely by provider, location and method. Over-the-counter whitening products often start at $25, while professional whitening may cost over $1,300 per session.2
Here are the average teeth whitening cost ranges by treatment type:2
| Treatment Type | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Professional whitening by laser | $611 - $1,368 |
| Dentist provided take-home kits | $375 - $500 |
| Over-the-counter whitening | $25 and up |
Some factors that impact the cost of teeth whitening include:
In general, dental insurance rarely covers teeth whitening because it's considered a cosmetic procedure, and most dental insurance plans only cover medically necessary treatments.
However, teeth whitening may be partially covered in some cases if it’s related to a dental health issue, such as severe discoloration due to an injury or medication.
Even if you have dental insurance, professional teeth whitening is unlikely to be covered. As a result, most patients pay the full cost out of pocket.
If your teeth whitening is medically necessary, your total costs will depend on your dental insurance plan’s deductible, coinsurance and annual maximum.
Don’t wait until it’s too late. Protect yourself and your family with coverage from Aflac.
Get StartedIf professional teeth whitening costs more than you’re comfortable paying, some more affordable methods include:
While dental insurance may not cover teeth whitening, it can help you pay for many essential services. Here are the several Aflac dental insurance plans and what they cover:
Teeth whitening can improve your smile, but in most cases, it’s not covered by dental insurance. Even so, the right dental insurance plan can help lower your oral health care expenses.
At Aflac, we offer several types of dental insurance with varying coverage levels, including primary dental insurance, supplemental dental insurance and DVH insurance.
Speak with an agent today to explore your options and get a quote.
Get Started
Let’s dive deeper into how much dental insurance costs and factors that can affect the premiums you’ll pay, and what dental insurance plans Aflac offers.
Dental insurance can help lower your dental care costs. Learn how dental insurance works and the benefits and coverage this type of plan offers.
Let’s dive deeper into how much dental insurance costs and factors that can affect the premiums you’ll pay, and what dental insurance plans Aflac offers.
Dental insurance can help lower your dental care costs. Learn how dental insurance works and the benefits and coverage this type of plan offers.
1 Investopedia – Dental Insurance and Teeth Whitening: What's Covered? Updated December 31, 2025. https://www.investopedia.com/ask/answers/111615/does-dental-insurance-cover-teeth-whitening.asp. Accessed April 29, 2026.
2 CareCredit - How Much Does Teeth Whitening Cost? Price and Procedure Guide. Updated on November 01, 2024. https://www.carecredit.com/well-u/health-wellness/teeth-whitening-costs/. Accessed April 29, 2026.
3 Health - The 7 Best Whitening Toothpastes of 2026, According to Dentists & Editor Testing. Updated on February 19, 2026. https://www.health.com/best-whitening-toothpaste-11909626. Accessed April 1, 2026.
Content within this article is provided for general informational purposes and is not provided as tax, legal, health, or financial advice for any person or for any specific situation. Employers, employees, and other individuals should contact their own advisers about their situations. For complete details, including availability and costs of Aflac insurance, please contact your local Aflac agent.
Aflac coverage is underwritten by American Family Life Assurance Company of Columbus. In New York, Aflac coverage is underwritten by American Family Life Assurance Company of New York.
Arkansas, Policies A81100AR–A81400AR. Policies A82100RAR–A82400RAR. In Delaware, Policies A81100–A81400. Policies A82100R–A82400R. In Idaho, Policies A81100ID–A81400ID. Policies A82100RID–A82400RID. In New York, Policies NY81100–NY81400. Policies NY82100–NY82400. In Oklahoma, Policies A81100OK–A81400OK. Policies A82100ROK–A82400ROK. In Oregon, Policies A81100OR–A81400OR. Policies A82100ROR–A82400ROR. In Pennsylvania, Policies A81100PA–A81400PA. Policies A82100RPA–A82400RPAR. In Texas, Policies A81100TX–A81400TX. Policies A82100RTX–A82400RTX. In Virginia, Policies A81100VA–A81200VA. Policies A82100RVA–A82400RVA.
Dental, Vision, and Hearing coverage is underwritten by Tier One Insurance Company. Tier One Insurance Company is part of the Aflac family of insurers. In California, Tier One Insurance Company does business as Tier One Life Insurance Company (Tier One NAIC 92908).
Dental, Vision and Hearing: In Arkansas, Policy T80000AR. In Delaware, Policy T80000. In Idaho, Policy T80000ID. In Oklahoma, Policy T80000OK. In Oregon, Policy T80000OR. In Texas, Policy T80000TX. Not available NY or VA. Dental claims are administered by Aflac Benefits Solutions, Inc. Vision claims are administered by EyeMed Vision Care, LLC. Hearing claims are administered by Nations Hearing. NOTICE: The coverage offered is not a qualified health plan (QHP) under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) and is not required to satisfy essential health benefits mandates of the ACA. The coverage provides limited benefits.
Coverage may not be available in all states, including but not limited to DE, ID, NJ, NM, NY or VA. Benefits/premium rates may vary based on state and plan levels. Optional riders may be available at an additional cost. Policies and riders may also contain a waiting period. Refer to the exact policy and rider forms for benefit details, definitions, limitations and exclusions.
Aflac WWHQ | Tier One Insurance Company | 1932 Wynnton Road | Columbus, GA 31999
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