Am I a Candidate for Zoom! Teeth Whitening?

Food, including berries and curry sauces, beverages, and even the natural aging process can leave your teeth dull and yellow. If you’re bothered by stained teeth, you’re not alone. The good news is there are plenty of tooth whitening products and treatments available to help add a little sparkle back to your smile 一 and they’re available here in our Fullerton, California, office. 

Saeed Mokhayeri, DDS, and Hengameh Safarcherati, DDS, proudly offer both in-office Zoom! teeth whitening treatments as well as professional take-home trays.

In this article, we take a look at the six signs you might be a candidate for Zoom! teeth whitening treatments.

What is Zoom! teeth whitening?

Zoom! teeth whitening treatments are efficient and effective. Thanks to a powerful combination of a topical bleaching agent and the Philips Zoom Blue LED light-accelerated technology, Zoom! treatments lift years of stains from your teeth.

After we carefully apply the bleaching gel to your teeth, the light activates and breaks down the hydrogen peroxide 一 the active ingredient in the whitening gel 一 into oxygen molecules. These enter your dentin and lift away the stains. 

If you’d prefer to whiten your teeth at home, we provide detailed instructions for you to use your Zoom! whitening trays at home.

6 signs you’re a candidate for professional teeth whitening

Professional whitening treatments deliver impressive results, especially when compared to over-the-counter whitening strips and pastes. However, whitening treatments aren’t right for everyone, and in some cases, they might not work at all, such as when you have a stained dental crown. 

You might be a candidate for professional whitening if:

1. You have realistic expectations for teeth whitening

Whitening treatments lift years’ worth of stains from your teeth, but it’s still important to recognize their limitations. Whitening treatments can’t alter the natural shade of your teeth nor do their results last forever. Zoom! whitening treatments can brighten your smile by up to eight shades with results lasting anywhere from 18-24 months.

As a side note, if you need more control over the exact shade of your teeth, consider veneers. These are thin shells of porcelain that cover the front surface of your teeth, and you can customize their shade.

2. You don’t have any permanently stained teeth 

Permanently stained teeth won’t respond to whitening treatments, even the professional-grade ones. Medication-related stains, fluorosis, and trauma can contribute to permanent stains. Additionally, restorations, such as dental bonding or crowns, aren’t receptive to whitening treatments.

If, however, your stains are related to food or drinks, you might consider Zoom! teeth whitening. 

3. Your gums are healthy

Although we apply a special topical solution to help reduce sensitivity, you still need to have healthy gums before getting started with teeth whitening. If you’re sensitive to hydrogen peroxide, or if you have gum recession, this cosmetic treatment might not be right for you.

4. You’re not pregnant or lactating

While dental care is essential for pregnant and lactating women, tooth whitening isn’t recommended. If you’re currently pregnant or breastfeeding, you may need to postpone your pearly whites until after you’ve weaned your baby.

5. You meet the age requirements

Teeth whitening treatments are not recommended for children, especially children under the age of 13. If you’re concerned about your child’s teeth, including their shade, reach out to us. 

6. You’re committed to your pearly whites

Once you’ve brightened your smile, you can maintain your results by:

• Rinsing your mouth after eating stain-causing foods
• Drinking coffee quickly (rather than slowly sipping on it all day)
• Brushing your teeth twice a day
• Flossing (which helps prevent pesky stains from between teeth)
• Scheduling routine dental cleanings 

While this doesn’t preclude you from in-office or take-home whitening, staying dedicated to your stain-free teeth can help you enjoy your dazzling smile even longer.

Get started with professional teeth whitening today

Ready to transform your smile into a bright one? To find out what professional teeth whitening can do for you, schedule a consultation. Call the providers at Arya Dental, or request an appointment online.