Patients often ask about teeth whitening: Is it safe? Will it work on me? Chestnut Dental recently added the ZOOM! line of products to our whitening offerings and I’ll review the basics here.
At first glance, the variety of teeth whitening options can seem overwhelming. While it is always best to check with your dentist to determine which level of whitening is appropriate, the rule of thumb is, START LOW, GO SLOW.
For most patients who have never tried teeth whitening, it is best to start with an over-the-counter product like Crest Whitestrips that contain relatively low concentrations of peroxides, the active ingredient that works on intrinsic staining. Whitening toothpastes, which contain abrasive particles for removing extrinsic staining, is good for daily polishing of teeth to remove surface stain and tartar.
Dentist offices offer peroxide whitening products at higher concentrations, generally for faster and better results. However, the main side effects of teeth whitening with these peroxide products is teeth sensitivity and gum irritation, and stronger concentrations do tend to cause stronger side effects. Your dentist can guide you on which level of whitening is best for you and how to minimize the unwanted side effects.
NPR recently published a well written, consumer oriented article about teeth whitening options.
https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2017/08/14/542830158/navigating-the-aisle-of-confusion-to-whiten-your-teeth
ZOOM! Whitening, famous for its blue light activated in-office procedure, is great for patients looking to achieve a more dramatic result in a short amount of time. The ZOOM! protocol includes a desensitizing gel and our patients have been very pleased with the results. The next time you are in for your cleaning, feel free to ask your dentist about ZOOM! Whitening if you’re interested in brightening up your smile!
Sincerely,
Dr. Sharon Jin
Adult dentist, Bedford and Needham offices
