If you’ve ever tried teeth whitening at home, you’ve probably found the results to be a little underwhelming or even painful. There are a slew of products on the market that promise effective whitening, but it’s important to know that your best results will come with a little professional help. Your dentist can recommend your best options for teeth whitening if you’re looking to brighten your smile.
What is Teeth Whitening?
Teeth whitening, sometimes called teeth bleaching, is a process of removing stains from the teeth caused by everyday habits (“life stains”). Brushing can sometimes help remove external stains from food and drink, but over many years, these stains can become deep-set and difficult to remove. Although you can find over-the-counter products to help whiten teeth at home, your dentist can provide you with the most effective treatments to get you the best results without sensitivity.
How Can My Dentist Help?
Dentists often provide cosmetic whitening treatments that go further than at-home treatments. At-home options can sometimes remove extrinsic stains or surface-level stains. However, professional treatments can reach deeper intrinsic stains that accumulate over years of stain deposition due to food, liquids such as wine, and coffee or tobacco use. In many cases, your dentist can offer you professional-grade treatments both in the office with Zoom or with take-home kits that can be done in the comfort of your own home.to take home Both are effective and are supervised by your dental health provider.
What Causes Teeth Stains?
There are a lot of things that can cause stains to develop due to regular exposure and frequency of consumption. The biggest culprits are things like coffee and red wine, along with smoking and tobacco use. In addition, the normal process of aging can cause the teeth to yellow and gray over time. Additionally, some medical conditions, medications, or injuries can cause discoloration along with poor oral care habits.
What is the Zoom Whitening Process?
The Zoom bleaching process is a great way to whiten teeth in a professional setting for transformative results. It begins with an in-depth assessment and pumicing of the teeth. Your mouth is isolated to prevent any bleach from touching delicate mouth tissue such as gums and cheeks. A special peroxide-based solution is placed on the teeth for 3-4 15 minute intervals. The solution is catalyzed by a special UV light which optimizes the process for quick results.
Additionally, you may get customized trays for maintenance of the procedure. Zoom whitening lasts 9-24 months depending on your individual habits and can be repeated yearly.
How Should I Care for My Teeth After Whitening?
It’s important to practice good oral care after your Zoom treatments. This includes brushing and flossing, as well as avoiding stain-causing factors for the first 24-48 hours. For the best results, you can use your at-home treatment system to touch up any stains that do form. Dr. Chern usually recommends in-office treatments yearly to maintain results as part of your hygiene program.
Schedule an Appointment
Professional teeth whitening is a great and easy way to boost your confidence. To learn more, we invite you to meet with our Manhattan team by calling or filling out our online form.
For over 20 years, Inna Chern, DDS has been offering personalized, high-tech dental care to Manhattan and NYC residents. With a focus on individualized attention and the latest technology, her modern Midtown East office aims to reshape dental care perceptions in New York by prioritizing patient well-being and innovative services.
