If you believe your smile is essential to socializing, you will worry when your teeth discolor or become stained. Teeth discoloration is a common issue among many adults and children. Everyone wishes for a healthy white smile. But natural teeth, which develop white and shiny, discolor over time, losing their glitter and brightness. That can happen for several reasons, including what you consume, how well you care for your teeth and your age. The good news is that you can brighten your smile again with cosmetic dentistry.

If your teeth have discolored and you want them to be pearly white again, consider Zoom Whitening. It is an incredible teeth whitening system that deals with the toughest stains and teeth discoloration. But first, you need to understand what it entails, its benefits and drawbacks, and how to prepare for the treatment procedure. We can help you with that at Washington Dental. Our highly skilled and experienced cosmetic dentists have all the information, knowledge, and equipment to help you enjoy a brighter smile again at Carson.

Teeth Discoloration And The Need for Zoom Whitening

Teeth discoloration happens when your natural teeth stain or darken. That could happen for several reasons. Some causes of discolored teeth are avoidable, while others are unavoidable. For example, aging, disease, or trauma are inevitable. But other factors like drinking colored beverages, poor dental hygiene, and smoking are avoidable. It helps to act on your teeth immediately after you notice a discoloration. But most people wait until the discoloration intensifies and spreads to more teeth to look for help. Either way, there are solutions in cosmetic dentistry for discolored teeth. You can always find support to enjoy better, brighter, healthier teeth.

Discolored teeth affect your confidence to smile and socialize. A person’s smile can be an excellent social asset. If your smile is impacted, you will find it hard to socialize. That is why cosmetic dentists work around the clock to ensure they have fail-safe solutions for discolored teeth. Teeth whitening is an outstanding solution for people with stained or discolored teeth. Though some of these solutions do not give you pearly white teeth, they improve your look and feel, boosting your confidence.

Zoom whitening is a highly recommended treatment for stained and discolored teeth. It involves removing the toughest stains from your teeth to give them a healthy brilliance that will boost your confidence. Cosmetic dentists use a special bleach on stained or discolored teeth. Once the gel is on your teeth, the dentist activates it using a Zoom light. The essence of this light is to speed up the teeth-whitening process. It ensures that the gel penetrates deep into the affected teeth. Consequently, you receive a brighter and better smile.

Zoom whitening takes between 45 minutes and an hour. The treatment process is non-invasive. You only need to sit back, relax, and wait for the gel to work on your teeth. The dental expert administering the treatment will monitor its progress throughout that period. If you have had enough of your stained or discolored teeth and need a quick solution, Zoom whitening is the treatment you should consider.

The Treatment Process

It helps to understand how the treatment process will be to prepare yourself physically and mentally before the procedure. It allows you to relax throughout the process since you know how it will start and how it could end.

The treatment process will occur inside your dentist’s office. A trained dental professional will walk you through the process before beginning the treatment. They will ensure that you understand what to expect in each treatment process so you can remain relaxed. Here are the typical steps your treatment will involve:

The Consultation

Before your dentist recommends a teeth whitening solution, they must listen to your needs and goals. That will happen during the consultation. If your discolored or stained teeth trouble you, you can initiate a meeting with your dentist. Once in their office, your dentist will examine your teeth and the condition of your gums and jawbone. Treating your teeth and gums only when they are healthy is essential. If the dentist does not notice any issue that requires immediate treatment, they will discuss your needs, goals, and treatment options.

Zoom whitening is not recommended for some people. If you are pregnant, have gum disease, or are allergic to bleach, your dentist will not recommend this treatment. That is why you must discuss your treatment and health history with your dentist whenever you need treatment. That way, they can recommend a safe treatment that will not harm your oral health or general well-being.

Preparing for Treatment

If your dentist recommends Zoom whitening and you are a perfect candidate, you can start preparing for treatment. Preparation includes ensuring that your teeth are adequately cleaned. Your dentist can professionally clean your teeth in their office to ensure your mouth is free of food particles and buildup like plaque and tartar. Once all your teeth and mouth are clean, your dentist will protect the gums and other sensitive parts of the mouth that bleach could harm. They will use a protective gel or a rubber dam to do that. Protected areas will not be irritated by the bleach used for teeth whitening.

Gel Application

To start the treatment, your dentist will carefully apply the bleaching gel to all your teeth. They want to ensure that your teeth will be uniformly bright after the treatment. The dentist will leave the gel on your teeth for between 15 and 30 minutes. Note that the bleaching gel has a high concentration of hydrogen peroxide. It is a crucial ingredient in teeth whitening.

Activating the Gel

Your dentist could need to activate the gel to speed up the teeth whitening process. They will do so using a Zoom light. This light uses a special LED emitting a particular wavelength to penetrate the teeth’s surface and reach their inner layers, where discoloration or stains could be located. That is how Zoom whitening works, even on the toughest stains. Remember that not all dental stains are intrinsic (on the outer surface of the teeth); some are extrinsic (penetrating deep into the teeth), requiring a more intensive removal approach.

The zoom light will ensure that the bleaching gel penetrates the teeth’s enamel, destroying the stains deep within the teeth and giving them a brighter appearance.

Rinsing and Repeating

Depending on how stained or discolored your teeth are, your dentist could need to repeat the treatment process several times. For the second process, your dentist will start by rinsing off the bleach they previously applied to your teeth and reapplying it. They will give it a few minutes before activating the gel using a Zoom light. Your dentist will repeat that process until they achieve the desired result. Touch stains and extreme discoloration could require several treatment processes, but you could see excellent results after the first or second process if the stains or discoloration are mild.

Finishing the Treatment

Once the dentist is satisfied with the results, they will rinse the gel from your teeth and mouth. They will then use fluoride on your teeth to protect them from becoming sensitive. It is normal to experience sensitivity right after Zoom whitening because of the high concentration of hydrogen [peroxide in the bleaching gel. But that disappears after a few days. If your teeth are still sensitive, you should return to your dentist’s office after a week.

Caring For Your Treated Teeth

In an hour or so after entering your dentist’s office, you will notice a significant improvement in the appearance of your teeth. Since you want to continue enjoying your new look and confidence, you must consider how to care for your treated teeth. Fortunately, your dentist will have a set of instructions ready for you. The instructions will guide you on caring for the treated teeth to continue enjoying those great results. These instructions could include the following:

  • Avoiding colored foods and drinks to avoid staining your teeth again.
  • Using a particular toothpaste for better results.
  • Following through with your daily oral hygiene, including brushing your teeth and flossing every day,
  • Maintaining regular visits to your dentist for follow-up and touch-up care.

The Benefits of Zoom Whitening

If you struggle with stained or discolored teeth, consider teeth whitening. Zoom whitening offers a long list of benefits, including the following:

It is a Convenient Way to Brighten Your Teeth

Many people need more time to go through lengthy dental treatments. Others are simply scared of the dentist’s office. But everyone can benefit from a convenient way to receive dental treatment and care. Zoom whitening can occur anywhere, whether in the dentist’s office or at your convenience at home. Dentists are flexible when choosing a venue since it does not involve bulky equipment. If you decide to undergo treatment at home, the dentist will send you home with custom trays to fit over your teeth. The treatment process will involve the following:

  • Brushing and flossing your teeth.
  • Adding some bleaching solution to the custom trays your dentist provides.
  • Fitting them over the teeth.
  • Leaving the trays on for the recommended period before removing them.
  • Rinsing your mouth.

Your dentist will also send you home with the whitening supplies you need. But the results of at-home treatment depend on how discolored or stained your teeth are.

The Treatment Process is Simple

If you are used to lengthy, tedious, and complicated dental processes, Zoom whitening will be a little different for you. This is because it involves a straightforward procedure. The treatment is non-invasive and does not involve a lot of prior preparation. The entire process takes a maximum of one hour. You can undergo this process early in the morning before going to work, school, or during your midday break.

Additionally, you do not need several appointments at the dentist’s office. You will receive the treatment the same day you visit the dentist for a consultation and examination. The good news is that you will notice a significant difference in your teeth at the end of the treatment.

The Treatment Process is Customizable

Dentists understand that people’s needs and preferences are different. That is why they are always willing to tailor your treatment to your needs. Although not all dental treatments are comfortable, Zoom whitening is. Your dentist can tailor it to satisfy your unique needs. For example, they can customize the concentration of the treatment gel and how long your treatment will last to deliver the best possible results.

It is Safe and Highly Effective

The bleaching gel used for Zoom whitening is safe. Your dentist will protect the sensitive parts of your mouth, including your gums, before applying the gel to your teeth. That will protect them from irritation when they come into contact with the bleaching gel. Some teeth whitening products available over the counter can damage your teeth over time, but Zoom whitening is gentle and does not result in sensitivity.

Zoom whitening is also a very effective treatment to brighten a dull smile. Most store-bought teeth whitening solutions yield little results. However, those who have undergone Zoom whitening have noticed a significant improvement in their smile after only one treatment.

Zoom whitening is also noninvasive. It does not require tooth extraction or drilling into the teeth to access the inner structures. Thus, it cannot affect the underlying systems of your teeth.

It Works Well For Patients With Sensitive Teeth

Most people with sensitive teeth shy away from teeth whitening because most store-bought products worsen their condition. If your teeth are already sensitive, that should not stop you from enjoying a brighter smile. Zoom whitening is ideal for you. The bleaching gel used in Zoom whitening is uniquely formulated to reduce tooth sensitivity.

Zoom Whitening Results are Long-Lasting

Your teeth can remain pearly white for many months after Zoom whitening. If you follow the dentist’s after-care instructions without failing, you could enjoy even longer months of an improved smile and confidence. That is why it is necessary to consider and avoid bad habits that could cause teeth stains or discoloration. If your teeth discolor or stain again in the future, you can undergo Zoom treatment once again.

It Will Boost Your Self-Confidence

Discolored or stained teeth will make you feel ugly and embarrassed whenever you want to smile. You are forced into shyness since you cannot show off your teeth. That can eventually lower your self-esteem and make you self-conscious. Teeth whitening is a superior solution if your self-esteem is already affected. Zoom whitening can change that in one hour or less. It can give an immediate boost to your self-confidence.

Zoo Whitening Can Improve Your Oral Health

Your oral health is as vital as your general well-being. Taking care of your teeth will result in better general health. Poor oral health can cause some of the most complicated general health issues, like organ failure or heart conditions. Zoom whitening results in better-looking, healthier, and stronger teeth. It lowers your risk of severe conditions like gum disease and cavities, which can affect your general health. It also encourages you to maintain good oral hygiene practices to maintain a bright smile, eventually improving your overall health.

You Can Combine Zoom Whitening with other Dental Treatments

If your dental issues go beyond stained or discolored teeth, your dentist can combine Zoom whitening with other treatments to restore oral health and give you a beautiful smile. For example, if you have broken, damaged, or missing teeth, your dentist can begin by restoring them before brightening your smile. They can combine restorative procedures like bonding and dental veneers with Zoom whitening. Your dentist can combine orthodontic treatments with Zoom whitening for misaligned, crooked, or overlapping teeth. A skilled dentist will first examine your teeth to determine what other treatments you could need before teeth whitening.

Zoom Whitening is Affordable

Zoom whitening is inexpensive compared to other teeth whitening solutions like bonding and veneers. But the overall cost of your treatment depends on how severe your stained or discolored teeth are and your dentist's treatment plan.

When To Go For Zoom Whitening

Zoom whitening will improve the look and feel of your teeth in the following instances:

If Your Teeth Are Discolored or Yellow

Maintaining pearly white teeth with the best oral hygiene practices and regular professional cleaning is challenging. Your teeth will lose their shine with time as you age. Sometimes, discoloration or yellowing could occur due to the foods and drinks you consume. For example, tea and coffee lovers suffer tooth discoloration over time. If your teeth are discolored or yellowish, you can consider Zoom whitening to improve their look and feel. Visible discoloration will affect your smile and confidence. Zoom whitening gives you almost instant results that will restore your beauty and confidence.

If Your Teeth Have Resistant Stains

Some stains penetrate deep into a tooth’s enamel, becoming increasingly difficult to remove with regular brushing and professional cleaning. Most store-bought teeth whitening solutions are not effective at removing stubborn stains. But Zoom whitening can. Zoom whitening uses a bleaching gel with a higher hydrogen peroxide concentration, making it more effective than other teeth whitening products.

If You Have a Special Event or Occasion

Looking and feeling confident during a special event or occasion feels excellent. Suppose your teeth are not at their best at the moment. Zoom whitening could be the quick fix to improve your smile and overall appearance for that special occasion. A whiter smile for that special event or interview can significantly improve your confidence.

If You Have a Personal Preference for Whiter Teeth

Some people prefer to maintain a shiny smile throughout. Zoom whitening can be an excellent choice if you are one of them. It is non-invasive, highly effective, and takes less time. You can improve your teeth's appearance whenever you want to.

The Right Candidates for Zoom Whitening

Many people with discolored or stained teeth prefer Zoom whitening. Sadly, it does not work well for everyone. Your dentist will only recommend this teeth whitening treatment if you are the right candidate. The procedure is not recommended for the following people:

  • People who already have gum disease.
  • Minors, especially those aged 16 or younger.
  • Expectant and lactating mothers.
  • Patients whose teeth are highly sensitive.
  • Patients already receiving any type of photochemotherapy.
  • Those who are allergic to bleach.
  • People with several dental restorations.
  • Those who are highly sensitive to light.
  • People with skin cancer, for example, those with melanoma.

Before beginning the treatment process, your dentist will take some time to study your medical history. It is important to disclose what you have been treated for, your medications, allergies, and other medical issues. That way, your dentist will recommend the best treatment for your stained or discolored teeth. Your dentist will also examine your teeth, gums, and underlying structures. It is vital to undergo dental treatment when you are in good health. If you already suffer from an oral or dental problem, like gum disease or cavities, your dentist will address those issues before treating your stained or discolored teeth.

Find a Competent Cosmetic Dentist Near Me

Are your teeth stained or discolored, and do you seek an effective and affordable solution in Carson?

Cosmetic dentists recommend Zoom whitening for highly stained or discolored teeth. You could also consider it if you need a quick solution to improve your smile and confidence. Zoom whitening involves a simple process that your dentist can perform in their office, or you can perform from home. You need a bleaching gel with a high concentration of hydrogen peroxide to brighten your smile and rid your teeth of all their stains.

It helps to work alongside a skilled cosmetic dentist for the best results with teeth whitening. That is why we recommend our team at Washington Dental. From our training and experience, we can help you understand your options to achieve the best results with Zoom whitening. Call us at 310-217-1507 and let us discuss our services and your needs further.