Zoom teeth whitening system comes with several common side effects. If you plan to have your teeth whitened by your dentist, it may be helpful for you to learn what those side effects are and how to be prepared for them.
No worries. This in-depth post will explain them all to you in detail.
But before we jump to the side effects, let us discuss the zoom teeth whitening system and its procedure.
What is the zoom teeth whitening system?
Zoom teeth whitening system is an in-office teeth bleaching system. It is the most requested teeth whitening system in America.
It removes discoloration from the enamel and dentin of your teeth.
If you drink tea, coffee, soft drinks, or even red wine, your teeth may lose their bright white color in time. Smoking also causes discoloration. Besides, as we grow older, our teeth lose their shiny character gradually.
But your dentist can bring your precious teeth back to life with a hydrogen peroxide treatment. The hydrogen peroxide gel initiates a chemical reaction when applied to your teeth. As a result, oxygen travels through your enamel to your dentin, removing the staining substances.
Types of in-office zoom teeth whitening
Two types of in-office zoom teeth whitening systems are available.
- QuickPro. Philips Zoom QuickPro is designed to make your teeth up to four shades whiter. It is a simple and fast procedure. You can have your teeth whitened within just 25 minutes.
- WhiteSpeed. Zoom WhiteSpeed may turn your teeth up to eight shades whiter. The treatment requires 45 minutes, excluding prep time. When people talk about zoom teeth whitening, they talk about this treatment.
Is the zoom teeth whitening system right for you?
During your consultation appointment with your dentist, your dentist will examine your teeth. To ensure the treatment is effective, the dentist will want to know if you have undergone any other dental cosmetic restorations.
- Are you wearing crowns or veneers? The zoom whitening technique may not be the best option for you.
- If you have inflamed gums or tooth decay, zoom teeth whitening is not for you.
- If you have removed your braces recently, zoom whitening is probably what you need.
- Are you planning to have dental veneers or composite fillings treatment? Your dentist may recommend zoom whitening for you before the treatment to identify the best shade of white color of your teeth.
Your dentist will advise if the zoom whitening system is the best option for you or if you should use other whitening techniques.
5 main zoom whitening side effects
Every dental whitening system has some side effects. Zoom is no exception.
1. Tooth sensitivity
Tooth sensitivity after zoom teeth whitening treatment is a side effect that does not stay long.
The whitening gel makes your enamel penetrable for oxygen to enter your dentin to clean it. Dentin has nerves in it which may respond to the whitening procedure.
Besides, your gums may react when they come in contact with hydrogen peroxide.
Another cause of tooth sensitivity may come from the cleaning tray’s force on your teeth.
The intensity will depend on the following:
- The concentration of hydrogen peroxide.
- If you have done dental cosmetic work before, what treatments were they?
- The intensity of the light
How to control tooth sensitivity?
Before treatment
- Use a desensitizing toothpaste for about a week before the treatment. Your teeth will become immune to sensitivity gradually.
- Painkilling medication can help. Your dentist may recommend a certain medication based on your health condition. This medication should be taken before the whitening procedure begins.
- Applying a desensitizing gel right before the procedure can minimize tooth sensitivity.
- Request your dentist to pause the whitening treatment for a few days.
After your treatment
- Stay away from extremely cold, hot, or sweet food for up to two days. You may start eating normally once your teeth are not sensitive anymore.
- Avoid eating acidic food. Your enamel is not the strongest at this time. Acidic food may harm them and increase tooth sensitivity.
- Your dentist may recommend the use of the desensitizing gel on your teeth to reduce their sensitivity.
- A soft-bristled toothbrush is what you need at this time. Brush your teeth gently with fluoride-rich toothpaste.
2. Toothaches
Toothaches are the second most reported disadvantage of teeth whitening.
Your teeth may be painful for up to two days following the procedure. The intensity of the pain may vary from person to person. Some patients reported only minor discomfort, while others reported sharp pains on a specific tooth.
How to minimize toothaches and gum pain?
- Any over-the-counter pain reliever should be enough.
- If the pain persists or increases, contact your dentist.
3. Gums and membrane irritation
Your dentist will take every precaution to prevent the cleaning substance from reaching the soft tissues inside your mouth.
Your dentist will create a barrier between the whitening material and your gums and soft tissues in your mouth before the procedure.
However, there is always a possibility that that will happen during your treatment. If so, you may experience slight gum and membrane irritation or chemical burning.
How to soothe your irritated gums and soft tissues after zoom teeth whitening?
- Your dentist will immediately remove the bleach from your gums or skin and thoroughly clean the spot. They will monitor the spot professionally.
- If the irritation persists after the procedure, rinse your mouth with warm saltwater to wash away any remaining cleaning substance.
4. Discomfort caused by cervical erosion
If you suffer from occasional acid reflux or vomiting, you may have damaged a part of your tooth enamel. The condition is called cervical erosion. Acid balance in your body may also contribute to the high consumption of sugary food items and lack of necessary vitamins and minerals.
Whatever the cause, cervical erosion will make your teeth more sensitive, at least the damaged spots on them.
How to prepare cervical erosion for teeth whitening?
- Talk to your dentist if you have teeth grinding habit. That will help the dentist better prepare your teeth for whitening.
- Any cervical erosion will be noted during the prep examination anyway. Your dentist will block out the sensitive spots before starting the whitening process.
5. Damage to dental amalgam
According to FDA, dental amalgam is a mixture of metals consisting of liquid mercury and a powdered alloy composed of silver, tin, and copper. Liquid mercury weighs 50% of the amalgam.
Dental amalgam is used to fill cavities caused by tooth decay.
Hydrogen peroxide may discharge some mercury from your dental amalgam during whitening. The level of this discharge will depend on the following:
- The concentration of hydrogen peroxide.
- Age of the dental amalgam.
- How long the teeth whitening procedure is.
How to minimize exposure to mercury
- Mercury released from your dental filling material during teeth whitening is negligible and poses no health concern.
- If your filling is very old, your dentist may examine them to understand how the whitening process may affect them.
- Amalgam fillings are designed to last about 10 years. You may even find that it is time to replace your amalgam filling.
Zoom teeth whitening side effects: Final Word
The Philips zoom teeth whitening system’s side effects are few and may remain within control with minimum effort.
Talk to your teeth whitening dentist if your teeth are sensitive and have dental fillings or cavities. Letting your dentist know your concerns will help reduce your discomfort.
Follow your dentist’s post-whitening dental care recommendations to the point. If your discomfort increases, contact your dentist for an appointment.
Zoom whitening side effects: FAQs
Teeth whitening may cause pain and irritation to your gums and soft tissues inside your mouth. Your teeth may temporarily turn sensitive due to applying whitening gel to them. Besides, your dental amalgam may discharge mercury if the whitening process is long and the intensity of hydrogen peroxide is high.
Zoom teeth whitening is designed to last one to four years. You can make it relatively longer by following your dentist’s aftercare recommendations and changing your lifestyle. Avoid pigmented food or drinks, brush and floss your teeth at least twice daily, consume less acidic and sugary items, and do not miss appointments with your dentist.
Sources
- Phillips. In-Office Whitening.
- Phillips. WhiteSpeed.
- FDA. Dental Amalgam Fillings.
- Colgate. Is Teeth Whitening Safe?
