What is teeth whitening?
Teeth whitening, or teeth bleaching, is a simple dental treatment that makes your teeth lighter and whiter in color. Teeth whitening treatments bleach the color from your tooth enamel, removing stains and brightening your smile.
Teeth whitening does not change the color of crowns or fillings, but only the top layer of your natural teeth. It’s not a permanent treatment and needs to be repeated every few years, and you may need treatments more often if you smoke or drink wine, coffee, or tea.
Teeth whitening can be done using over-the-counter treatments you can buy at the store; however, these are not usually as effective as professional treatments that can be customized to fit your teeth.
What causes discolored teeth?
Several things can cause your teeth to be yellow, brown, or unevenly colored. The natural color of your teeth depends on the top layer of teeth, which is the enamel. This layer becomes stained or discolored over time due to:
- Normal wear of the enamel
- Some medications
- Genetics
- Fluorosis, due to excessive fluoride
- Drinking coffee, wine, or tea
Teeth whitening, like Philips Zoom whitening treatment, permeates the enamel and bleaches away any discolorations, giving you even, cleaner-looking color.
How does Zoom teeth whitening work?
Philips Zoom whitening treatment is a professional teeth whitening system that can make your teeth whiter by up to eight shades. This treatment requires two visits.
At the first visit, your dentist takes an impression of your teeth. They use this mold to create customized trays that you use to apply a special whitening solution at home.
During your second visit, your trays are tested for a good fit and you’re given detailed instructions about how to use your at-home treatment. You choose whether you would like to wear your trays during the day, for 30 minutes twice a day, or overnight.
Your daily treatment may last up to a couple of weeks, depending on the degree of your staining or desired results. You may have some sensitivity during your treatment, which is normal and will subside once you complete your treatment.
For a consultation about using Zoom teeth whitening, call or schedule an appointment online with Fresh Dental Care.
Fresh Dental is located in Houston, TX, and serves the greater Cypress, Katy, Humble, and Porter areas.
