I got laser teeth whitening in Mexico to save money. I liked the results but hated the experience.

• I traveled to Mexico and decided to get my teeth whitened with a laser.
• It cost $200, which was cheaper than in the US, and I liked the results.

Getting cosmetic procedures in the US can be very expensive. Even a relatively simple procedure, like laser teeth whitening, could cost anywhere from $500 to over $1,000, according to the Dental Health Society. That's a big reason why 1.2 million Americans traveled to Mexico City for dental tourism in 2022, according to Medical Tourism Mexico.

This year, I became one of them.

I didn't go to Mexico City to see a dentist. But while staring at years of red wine and coffee stains in the mirror, I thought "Why not?" and made an appointment to placate my perfectionism. I found the provider by browsing Google and picking among places with five-star reviews and within 20 minutes' walking distance from where I was staying. But I didn't notice the listing I chose had only a handful of reviewers.

As soon as I arrived, I questioned my decision

When I arrived at the building, I immediately wanted to cancel my appointment. It looked like an abandoned retail space; I glanced a few times at my phone and then at the numbers above the entrance to be sure I was correct.

In Mexico, most businesses communicate via WhatsApp. A man opened the office door and introduced himself as my dentist, and with no assistant in sight, I realized he had been messaging me pretending to be his own assistant. I tried to be understanding.

I walked inside, straight into an operating room with another dentist going away at a patient's mouth. I waved awkwardly, and my dentist led me into the adjacent room. I sat in the orthodontic chair, forcing myself to stop overthinking it. It would all be fine; he was wearing a lab coat. But this was the only evidence I had of his expertise.

Mexico is known and respected for dental tourism, so I clung to the hope I had not chosen the wrong provider. I had just gotten Botox done for the first time there as well, and it was a lovely, professional experience. I ignored my gut and stayed seated.

A dentist in New York shares her tips when choosing a provider

Dr. Angela Abernathy, a general and cosmetic dentist and the owner of Boutique Smiles in New York, said there should be a guarantee of privacy for patients to meet HIPAA regulations. "If you're in Mexico, you might have different regulations, and I would not feel comfortable with that," Abernathy said. "But the biggest concern is having someone who knows what to do if something goes wrong."

She said one of the main risks of laser teeth whitening is the product burning the gums, which can be severe if a proper barrier is not used. You also need a provider who knows when not to operate if you go to get a cavity filled, for example.

The Mexican dentist began by putting his hands in my mouth — without gloves on — to prepare me for the treatment. Abernathy said this might've been normal back in the 1980s, when it wasn't a requirement in dentistry. But it has become standard procedure due to diseases, and it's done to protect the practitioners as much as the patients. "I would not let anyone touch me in that regard without gloves on," Abernathy said.

I liked the end result

After a grueling 40 minutes, I was done. Despite his lack of professionalism or following protocol, it seemed like he did the correct procedure.

I thought it was odd that I had to go out of my way to ask him what I shouldn't consume. He suggested "probably to avoid coffee for a little bit," but Abernathy said patients should steer clear of anything they wouldn't want to get on a white shirt for three to seven days. Plus, she sends patients home with vitamin E capsules for sores or blisters, and suggests using Sensodyne toothpaste leading up to the appointment and the week after.

Initially, I asked his "assistant" over WhatsApp how much it would cost, and they said the provider would let me know in person. I forgot to inquire about it again, and he charged me a little bit over $200 for the procedure, which is the standard in Mexico. But it suddenly seemed expensive.

"People go overseas, and they get work done, not just for whitening but maybe for veneers or body changes. Yes, it is more expensive in the States than in other countries," said Abernathy. "But we also have regulations that protect doctors and patients. The education we get is not cheap, and it costs a lot of money to train our staff to do these things."

She said you often get what you pay for. However, for many Americans, it's the most they can afford, especially because insurance doesn't help with cosmetic procedures. That's where due diligence comes into play — knowing how to vet your providers properly and learning what to expect. The rest comes with following your instincts on who you trust, a feeling I will never ignore again.