The first feature of your body that people notice when they look at you is your teeth. White teeth can improve your charm and the aesthetic appearance of your smile. If you feel like your teeth are losing their natural sparkle due to stains and discolorations, you are not the only one. Our teeth are prone and susceptible to discoloration and staining over time due to our food and other lifestyle habits.
Luckily, you don't have to live with unattractive teeth and a self-conscious smile forever. Smile makeover procedures like Zoom whitening can provide you with a solution to the discolored and stained teeth without removing any of your tooth's enamel surface for a brighter smile.
Reliable dentists at Washington Dental comprehend how important it is for you to feel confident about your smile every time you are with your friends. We can provide you Zoom whitening services wherever you are in Carson, California, to give you the smile of your dreams.
An Overview of Cosmetic Zoom Whitening
Usual dental care routines like brushing your teeth twice a day and visiting your dentist at least twice a year can help you keep your teeth bright and healthy. However, those dental routines will not be enough for some individuals to prevent teeth staining and discoloration.
It is saddening that our lifestyle and habits like smoking, drinking particular drinks like coffee, tea, or that favorite red wine can make your teeth discolor over time. The inevitable aging process can also darken or stain your teeth.
When that happens, you should consult a cosmetic dentist for teeth whitening treatment because these discolorations and stains can lead to the formation of a plague in the worst-case scenario. Teeth discoloration or staining does not only affect your self-esteem and confidence, but it can also make you look unhygienic in most people's eyes.
With many options available for teeth whitening, you may want to consider Zoom whitening because it is a cost-friendly and non-invasive way to instantly improve your smile's aesthetic appearance. Zoom whitening is the latest teeth whitening technology that can whiten your teeth' enamel surface color in up to eight shades with just a single appointment with your cosmetic dentist.
During this procedure, your cosmetic dentist will use a teeth whitening gel known as hydrogen peroxide, which he/she will activate with Ultra Violet (U.V) light to accelerate the bleaching process. It is particularly the speed of achieving the desired shade of whiteness that differentiates this procedure from other in-office teeth whitening procedures.
You can whiten or lighten your teeth at home in several ways, but none is comparable to in-office whitening procedures like Zoom whitening. During in-office teeth whitening procedures, your cosmetic dentist will use the required tools and technology to achieve your desired shade of whiteness.
Knowing If You are a Candidate for Cosmetic Zoom Whitening
Like any other cosmetic dentistry procedure, Zoom whitening is not a "drive-thru" experience. Once you visit your cosmetic dentist, he/she will have to conduct some diagnosis to determine the type of discoloration/stain you have and whether Zoom whitening is the best remedy for your specific dental issue.
To remove existing tartar, irritants, or plaques that can affect the quality of this procedure outcome, your dentist will recommend a thorough dental cleaning before commencing with the Zoom whitening procedure. Unlike most cosmetic dentistry procedures, your dentist will not need to use any numbing medication to prepare you for the procedure.
However, your dentist will recommend treating any underlying dental infection or cavity before undergoing a cosmetic Zoom whitening procedure for the best appealing results. Typically, you would make an excellent candidate for cosmetic Zoom whitening to enhance the brightness of your teeth if:
You Have Healthy Gums and Non-Restored Teeth Without Fillings
Before scheduling your first appointment with a cosmetic dentist, you should ensure your gums are healthy. Unhealthy gums or a disease like periodontitis can worsen due to the bleaching effect of the peroxide gel that your dentist will use during the Zoom whitening procedure to achieve the desired results.
On the other hand, even though a dentist can lighten/whiten your teeth' enamel through Zoom whitening, it might be impossible to do the same to a restored tooth that has a crown, filling, or a veneer. Existing dental work like veneers and crowns will not respond to the conventional in-office whitening or bleaching agents your cosmetic dentist will use to lighten your teeth.
If you have these kinds of dental works, you will not benefit from this cosmetic procedure, but there might be other alternative options your dentist will recommend to enhance teeth whiteness for an improved smile.
You Are Not Allergic to Peroxide
Zoom whitening might not be the best smile makeover option for you if you are allergic to peroxide because this procedure mainly uses hydrogen peroxide to achieve the desired shade of teeth whiteness. Reformulation of Zoom whitening's gel to make it safer than before doesn't mean removing its key active peroxide bleaching agent.
Apart from the tooth sensitivity, undergoing a Zoom whitening procedure while having an allergy to peroxide can also make you end up with other side effects like:
- Swollen gums
- Trouble breathing
- Redness and swelling in the areas affected by the peroxide
Your Gums and Teeth Should Not Be Sensitive
Like having gingivitis or any other underlying gum infection, the peroxide gel your cosmetic dentist will use during Zoom whitening can cause some tingling effect on your teeth and gums. If your gums or teeth are already sensitive, it is advisable to start using anti-sensitivity toothpaste a few weeks before your Zoom whitening appointment.
Anti-sensitivity toothpaste can reduce your teeth sensitivity before undergoing a Zoom whitening procedure to prevent any uncomfortable side effects of the peroxide gel once it comes into contact with your gums and teeth.
You are Not Currently Pregnant or Breastfeeding
Cosmetic Zoom whitening can cause unwanted side effects to your unborn child due to the effect of the U.V. radiation that the dentist shines onto the peroxide gel to remove the stains and discolorations in your teeth. Therefore, if you're pregnant, you should avoid this cosmetic tooth whitening procedure regardless of the baby's term for safety purposes.
Even if your dentist uses a gum shield to protect your gums from the peroxide gel exposure during the procedure, some minor traces of this chemical substance may penetrate your body and onto the milk that your child is breastfeeding.
You Are At Least Fourteen Years Old
The last consideration before scheduling an appointment with a dentist for cosmetic Zoom whitening should be your age. To achieve the best results and avoid any possible complications during or after the procedure, you should at least be fourteen years old or above.
If you satisfy or fulfill the above requirement, cosmetic Zoom whitening could do wonders to your teeth for the healthy and bright smile you deserve. Cosmetic Zoom whitening is a brilliant idea for anybody who wants a smile makeover before a special life event like a wedding or birthday for an attractive and catchy smile.
Understanding Cosmetic Zoom Whitening Procedure
If your cosmetic dentist thinks Zoom whitening is what you need to solve your teeth discoloration or stain issues, the procedure can start immediately as long as you are ready. Below are steps you should expect during the cosmetic Zoom whitening procedure:
Placement of Mouth Braces and Preventative Measures
To easily access your stained and discolored teeth, your dentist will use mouth braces to keep your mouth open for optimum comfort during the whitening process. Since hydrogen peroxide is the main active ingredient in this procedure, your cosmetic dentist will cover your mouth, lips, and gums with a plastic or gum coating to avoid the bleaching effect of this strong chemical on them.
Apart from shielding your gums and lips from this chemical, your dentist will also require you to wear eye protection glasses to protect your eyes from the U.V light, which is also a crucial component of the procedure.
Application of the Hydrogen Peroxide Gel
After placing mouth braces and preventative measures to shield your gums, lips, and surrounding regions, your dentist will apply a special whitening gel known as hydrogen peroxide onto the affected teeth.
Controlled concentration and the right amount of hydrogen peroxide concentration can break down the molecular bonds forming the stains and discoloration on your teeth to make them appear whiter for an appealing smile.
Application of U.V. Light
To speed up or catalyze the breakdown of the active hydrogen peroxide, which contains bleaching properties, your cosmetic dentist will position Ultra-Violet (U.V.) light to shine on the gel. The U.V light breaks down the peroxide, allowing oxygen to penetrate your teeth' dentine and enamel to remove any unwanted stains and discolorations for an enhanced aesthetic appearance of your teeth.
The cosmetic Zoom whitening process covers three 15-minute sessions. That means your dentist will repeat the same procedure thrice to achieve the desired teeth' whiteness shade. Once the dentist completes these three sessions, he/she will clean your teeth one more time, and you will be ready to go home with a whiter and brighter smile
Since it is possible to achieve up to eight shades of teeth whiteness, you will be able to notice the results of this procedure instantly. After a cosmetic Zoom whitening procedure, you can look at your smile in the mirror and feel the changes.
How to Maintain Your Teeth Whiteness After a Cosmetic Zoom Whitening Procedure
The outstanding results of a cosmetic Zoom whitening procedure can last up to four years, but a touch-up treatment might be necessary after six months to maintain teeth whiteness. However, the teeth' whiteness outcome of this cosmetic procedure is different for people of specific lifestyles and habits.
As mentioned above, some habits like smoking can make you prone to teeth stains and discolorations even if you are observing proper oral hygiene and visiting your dentist twice a year as recommended. Here are helpful tips to know to maintain your teeth whiteness after a cosmetic Zoom whitening procedure:
Beware of Foods and Drinks That Can Stain Your Teeth
There are several types of foods and drinks that you and many other people consume that can shorten the whiteness effect of the Zoom whitening procedure because of their strong staining properties. These type of foods and drinks include (but not limited to):
- Curry and pasta sauce
- Red wine
- Coffee
These are the same foods that may have led to the discoloration of your teeth in the first place. Therefore, if these kinds of foodstuffs are part of your lifestyle, your cosmetic dentist will recommend the following to keep the stains away:
- Change your diet
- Schedule touch-up treatments appointment every two months
You Can Ruin the Appealing Results of the Procedure Immediately
Yes, you might affect the appealing results of the Zoom whitening process almost immediately after undergoing the procedure. Eating or drinking staining foods like the ones mentioned above can affect the results of this cosmetic procedure almost immediately because the staining is more significant on freshly whitened teeth as though they are blank canvases.
It is advisable to refrain from these staining foods within the first forty-eight hours or two days after undergoing the cosmetic Zoom whitening procedure. By doing this, you will avoid letting new discolorations or stains stick in your freshly whitened teeth to maintain your smile aesthetic look.
Your Teeth' Enamel Surface Remains Porous After the Procedure
Within the first forty-eight hours after undergoing a cosmetic Zoom whitening procedure, your teeth' enamel surface remains porous and prone to discoloration and staining. That means you should give up that curry sauce to protect your porous teeth enamel from any stains, which can affect your freshly acquired teeth whiteness.
After a few days, you can go back to your usual diet and eat anything you want. However, you should remember to visit your cosmetic dentist regularly for teeth whitening touch-ups if these staining foods are part of your lifestyle.
Home-Based Teeth Whitening Products and Kits to Help You Maintain the Zoom Whitening Results
Suppose you have a busy schedule that makes it challenging to schedule a regular appointment with your cosmetic dentist for whitening touch-ups. In that case, your dentist might have other home-based alternatives to help you maintain the Zoom whitening results. Some of these home-based teeth whitening options include:
Tray-based Teeth Whitening Systems
Tray-based teeth whitening systems are effective and reliable, but the desired result will take a longer time to show compared to in-office teeth bleaching procedures. You can buy your teeth whitening tray from your dentist at an affordable price than purchasing it over the counter.
If you are unsure and in doubt of how to use this tray-based teeth whitening system, your dentist will advise you on the best way to use it safely before leaving his/her office.
Teeth Whitening Gels and Strips
Another common home-based cosmetic tooth whitening option popping up in most cosmetic drug stores is teeth whitening gels and strips. These teeth whitening strips and gels are inexpensive and easy to use, making them a reliable option for most people who want to maintain the aesthetic appearance of their smile under a tight budget.
Like most teeth whitening products, teeth whitening gel and strip is also a hydrogen peroxide-based product. You should apply it directly onto your teeth' enamel surface twice a day for about fourteen days to achieve the desired teeth whiteness effect.
Teeth Whitening Toothpaste
Since teeth whitening toothpaste has mild adhesive properties, every toothpaste can help you remove stains from your teeth. Unlike regular toothpaste, teeth whitening toothpaste also contains polishing agents and chemicals that can scrub off stains from your teeth without the help of bleaching agents like hydrogen peroxide.
Teeth whitening toothpaste is inexpensive and can help you maintain the lasting teeth whiteness effect after a Zoom whitening process. Since it is not advisable to undergo a cosmetic Zoom whitening procedure more than once a year, these home-based teeth whitening options can help you maintain the whiteness of your teeth in the meantime.
Even if your dentist cannot sell these whitening products and kits to you, he/she might know a specialist who can sell them to you at an affordable rate. If you are unsure of anything related to these home-based teeth whitening touch-ups, you should contact your cosmetic dentist for advice on the way forward.
Frequently Asked Questions on Zoom Whitening Procedure
Most people who want to enhance the beauty of their smile through teeth whitening procedures will ask related questions to avoid making blind decisions in this field full of options. Zoom whitening is a new procedure that most people are embracing. Most patients who want to consider this procedure as a smile enhancement option will ask the following common questions before they make any significant commitment:
How Safe is the Cosmetic Zoom Whitening Procedure?
As long as your cosmetic dentist is in control during your teeth whitening process, this procedure is safe. Most dentists consider Zoom whitening the safest cosmetic teeth whitening procedure to give you your desired teeth whiteness results without multiple dental appointments.
Can Cosmetic Zoom Whitening Put You at Risk of Cancer?
No, cosmetic Zoom whitening is a safe procedure with no potential side effects like the development of cancerous cells in the aftermath of the process. Most people are aware and know that uncontrolled U.V light shining onto your body can contribute to the development of cancerous cells.
However, during the cosmetic Zoom whitening process, your dentist controls the U.V radiation that shines onto the hydrogen peroxide gel during the procedure. Even using teeth whitening products containing hydrogen peroxide as the active bleaching agent cannot create a potential risk of developing cancerous cells in your mouth or any other part of your body.
Can Cosmetic Zoom Whitening Suit Me If I Have Teeth Cavities?
It is okay to worry about your cavities before you seek cosmetic Zoom whitening services because your health should come first in any situation. Teeth cavities, decay, or cracks do not play out well with cosmetic teeth whitening treatments.
If the cavity or the decay is severe, your dentist will advise you to seek treatment first because Zoom whitening will not solve this dental health issue, which can worsen if it remains untreated. However, if the crack or cavity is minor, your dentist can whiten your teeth first before treating or restoring the tooth or teeth.
Are There Any Negative Side Effects from Cosmetic Zoom Whitening?
While it depends on some patients, after the cosmetic Zoom whitening procedure, you might experience some sensitivity in your teeth or not. A patient may experience sensitivity in his/her tooth when the hydrogen peroxide penetrates the soft layer part of the tooth's dentin, which is full of numerous nerves.
However, this minor sensitivity is nothing to worry about because it is temporary and will disappear within no time. Remember, overuse of home-based teeth whiteners containing hydrogen peroxide can damage your tooth enamel with time.
Hence, you should follow your dentist's instructions if he/she recommends these home-based teeth whitening options to help you maintain the cosmetic Zoom whitening results.
What are the Causes of Teeth Staining or Discoloration?
Apart from staining drinks and foods mentioned above, teeth discoloration and staining can also be due to the following reasons:
- Tobacco use – Tar and nicotine, which are the primary chemical compounds in tobacco, can cause the formation of stubborn stains in your mouth.
- Medications – Particular medications like antipsychotic or antihistamine drugs have darkening side effects.
- Age – As you grow older, your teeth enamel become thinner and weaker due to frequent brushing, making it prone to discoloration and staining
You must find a reliable dentist if you wish to consider cosmetic Zoom whitening to enhance your teeth whiteness for a brighter and charming smile.
Find a Cosmetic Zoom Whitening Dentist Near Me
Wherever you are in Carson, California, experienced and profound cosmetic dentists at Washington Dental are here for you if you want to consider Zoom whitening as a smile makeover option for your special event. Call us at 310-217-1507 to discuss your teeth whitening goals with our understanding dentists for proper guidance on where to start on this life-changing goal.