One of the first things people notice about you is your smile. If you have bright white teeth, it gives you confidence. But if you are unsatisfied with the shade of your smile, it might be time to consider Zoom!® Teeth Whitening.
Over time, your teeth will take on more of a grayish or yellow color. This is due to simple wear and tear as well as continued exposure to deep colored food and beverages. Smoking can also cause tooth discoloration.
Zoom!® whitening can dramatically improve the color of your teeth in just an hour or less, making teeth up to 8 shades whiter. With Zoom!® whitening, you’ll get professional, long-lasting results, provided your teeth get the proper aftercare. Here are the things you need to remember after your Zoom!® treatment to maintain your beautiful results.
Avoid Staining After Your Treatment
During your 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. This process also removes a protective layer around your teeth. After treatment, your teeth will remain porous for several days until the protective layer is regenerated. During this period, your teeth will be highly susceptible to new stains. That’s why it is so important to avoid foods and beverages that stain the teeth during this time. For at least 48 hours after your Zoom!® treatment you should avoid the following:
- Coffee
- Tea
- Wine
- Cola
- Berries
- Juices
- Mustard or ketchup
- Red Sauces & tomatoes
- Soy Sauce
- Colored toothpastes or mouthwash
- Tobacco
Many dentists recommend that dark liquids should be avoided for at least two weeks, and that afterwards, you should continue to drink dark liquids through a straw.
Good Oral Hygiene Is Key
Good oral hygiene is especially important when it comes to maintaining the results of your Zoom!® treatment. You should continue to brush at least twice a day and to floss each night. It is also important to drink plenty of water to avoid a buildup of bacteria and food particles around the teeth.
Dealing with Sensitivity
Because the teeth are more porous after Zoom!® whitening treatments, they may be more sensitive to extreme temperatures. Tooth sensitivity is a common side effect of Zoom!® whitening, but this sensitivity usually lasts only a few days. To help with the sensitivity, you may want to use a toothpaste or mouthwash designed for sensitive teeth. Try chewing some sugar-free gum. You can also use over-the-counter pain medication to make you more comfortable until the pain of sensitivity subsides.
To learn more about Zoom!® whitening, contact us for more information or to schedule a consultation. Wright Orthodontics has two convenient locations to serve you in Atlanta and Marietta, Georgia. As always, your initial consultation at Wright Orthodontics is offered free of charge with no hidden fees.