If asked to name just one characteristic of an attractive smile, most people would mention bright, white, lustrous teeth. Unfortunately, few people are satisfied with the shade of their own smiles. Over time, simple wear and tear, along with continual exposure to deeply-colored foods and beverages, lead the teeth to take on more of a gray or yellow hue than the bright shades of white that most people desire. At Astoria Dental Group, we offer professional teeth whitening to dramatically improve the color of the teeth in just an hour or less. One of the techniques offered to our patients is Zoom!® Whitening. Zoom! provides patients with effective and long-lasting results, provided the teeth are properly cared for. Here patients can learn about proper Zoom! Whitening aftercare practices following treatment at our Queens, NY, dental practice.
Avoid Staining
During Zoom! treatment, a powerful bleaching product is applied to the teeth and exposed to a special activation light. As the light activates the bleaching gel, it penetrates tooth enamel to break up and remove surface stains. The teeth will remain porous for several days after teeth whitening treatment. During this time, the teeth are highly susceptible to new stains. To maintain the bright, white tooth color that has been achieved through treatment, patients should avoid the following for at least 48 hours:
- Wine
- Coffee
- Tea
- Colas
- Berries
- Tobacco products
Maintain Good Oral Hygiene Practices
Good oral hygiene practices are especially important when it comes to maintaining the results of Zoom! treatment. Just because the teeth look bright, white, and clean, that doesn’t mean they don’t need to be brushed. Patients should continue to brush at least twice a day and drink plenty of water to avoid a buildup of bacteria and food particles around the teeth. It is also important to floss each night, as this will allow patients to reach spaces between the teeth that a toothbrush may not be able to.
Manage Sensitivity
Increased tooth sensitivity is a common side effect after Zoom! treatment. Because the teeth are more porous after whitening treatments, they may respond more to extreme temperatures. Sensitivity usually only lasts a few days. If sensitivity is especially uncomfortable, patients should consider the use of a toothpaste and/or mouthwash designed for sensitive teeth. Over-the-counter pain medication can also be used to ensure comfort until the heightened sensitivity subsides.
Prolong Whitening Effects
The effects of Zoom! whitening are meant to be long-lasting, but the optimal results that a patient enjoys immediately after treatment will not last forever. As the teeth continue to be exposed to deeply pigmented foods and beverages, they are bound to discolor slightly. To maintain a brighter, whiter smile, patients can undergo touch-up treatments. We offer our patients Zoom! Weekender, an at-home whitening system that can be used, as needed, to boost the color of the smile. Most patients find that a touch-up treatment once every four to six months is enough to prolong the whitening effects of Zoom! treatment.
Contact Us
If you are interested in improving the color of your teeth to enhance the appearance of your smile, you can benefit from the professional strength of Zoom! teeth whitening. Contact us at your earliest convenience to learn more about professional teeth whitening and whether you are an ideal candidate for this cosmetic dentistry treatment.
