teeth whitening - Brit Buyer

Philips Zoom Whitening treatments have increased in popularity over the years as people invest in themselves and what makes them feel confident. I've had my teeth whitened a couple of times and I've been happy with the results, but it's not for everyone. This form of treatment can whiten your teeth up to 8 shades whiter during the course of the treatment, and can be done by your dentist or at home - whichever you prefer! If you’re looking for a way to get a brighter smile, this guide will hopefully answer any of the questions you may have about the treatment, including how much it costs and how many times you can have it done. How Much Does Zoom Whitening Cost On Average in the UK? Zoom Whitening can be done at a dental practice or in the comfort of your own home. In order to use the at-home kits, you will still have to visit your dentist as a whitening consultation is needed prior to using the kit in order to get the best results (this is what I opted for). The dentist will also take moulds of your teeth and craft you personalised whitening trays that fit your teeth perfectly. Once this has been done, you can collect the kit from your dentist, who will ensure that you’re happy and explain how to use the kit before you take it home. Due to all this, the cost of Zoom Whitening is at the discretion of your dental professional, but on average it tends to be between £200-£300. Mine came in at about £250. If you need work done prior to getting your teeth whitened, such as a filling, then this price could be slightly more. Dentists may even offer payment plans rather than asking for the full amount upfront, to help you on your way to a confident smile. beautiful young woman with pink lips Is Zoom Whitening Better Than Other Treatments? Compared to store bought teeth whitening kits, Zoom Whitening treatments are bound to give you better results. This is because most store bought kits tend to contain around 0.1% of hydrogen peroxide, which is the ingredient that causes your teeth to whiten. Dentists, however, can administer products with up to 6% hydrogen peroxide as they are used in a professional capacity. It's a bit like getting painkillers over the counter vs stronger ones from a pharmacist. This means that the kits provided by dentists are much stronger, and are more likely to give you more noticeable and longer-lasting results. Results can vary from person to person, the results will depend on the type of staining that is on teeth in question. Surface stains caused by food and drink, especially tea, coffee, and red wine (and I was guilty of ALL these), are a lot easier to remove than staining that has penetrated the tooth enamel or stains that have been caused by trauma to the teeth. Another whitening treatment that dentists are able to offer is laser teeth whitening, which also uses hydrogen peroxide to lift stains off of the teeth and give them a whiter appearance. The main difference between Zoom and laser whitening is the method in which the hydrogen peroxide is activated. During a Zoom treatment a total of 3 coats of whitening gel is applied, with the gel being removed after 15 minutes and another layer applied. A protective gel is applied on your gums. An ultraviolet light is then used to activate each coat of the whitening gel, and harden the protective gel to stop the peroxide damaging your gums. The UV light filters out infrared emissions and limits the amount of heat that the teeth are exposed to, it also covers all of your teeth at a time, so the whole mouth is done at once. With laser whitening, though, each tooth is whitened individually. A laser tool is used to heat and oxidise the whitening solution and it takes a great amount of skill, as each tooth must be done section by section as the laser beam is so small. There are also some slight infrared emissions from the laser and the excessive heat can cause extra sensitivity in some patients, although this is rare. Both Zoom and laser whitening treatments offered by dentists have similar results and take between 45 minutes to an hour, although laser treatments tend to be slightly more expensive. Dentists will always offer the best treatment for your individual case. Does Zoom Whitening Hurt? Zoom Whitening is completely safe and the chances of damage to your teeth is minimal to none. Although the procedure itself does not hurt, with Zoom Whitening it is possible to experience brief flashes of sensitivity pain, known as ‘zingers’. Zingers happen when the nerves in your teeth react to the whitening process. Each person will react differently to this sensitivity pain, so for this reason Zoom Whitening is not usually recommended for patients who have sensitive teeth. I would say I have 'medium' sensitivity - I only notice if I eat a very cold ice cream, for example, so I don't consider myself to have super-sensitive teeth. That said, I did get a couple of zingers, but they went away after a week or so. It’s also important to note that you have complete control over the process and if at any point you are uncomfortable or the sensitivity pain is too much for you, then you have every right to ask your dentist to stop the procedure. Zingers can last for a few days after the whitening procedure, but they should subside eventually and you can take painkillers during this time. A special gel is applied after the process takes place to reduce this sensitivity. A fluoride gel is applied at the dentist whilst Zoom take-home kits provide a unique desensitiser known as ACP. Both of these products work to reduce the sensitivity that you will experience and get your teeth feeling normal again, without compromising on the whitening results. How Many Times Can I Have The Zoom Whitening Treatment? Some people get their teeth redone every 6 months, others every few years - there is no limit to how many times you can have the Zoom whitening treatment. I've had it twice in 3 years but one of those was for my wedding. After initial treatment, most dentists recommend redoing your teeth annually in order to maintain the post-treatment whiteness, but it’s entirely up to personal preference! It’s important to note that whitening treatments are not permanent, so after your initial treatment, the length of time your results last and how often you will need touch ups to maintain will depend on how well you take care of your teeth. If you consume teeth staining drinks such as tea and coffee more regularly, then your results won’t last as long as someone who doesn’t. You can maintain your white smile at home without the need for another treatment by using whitening toothpaste and mouthwash, at-home whitening kits, and consuming less food and drink that stains your teeth. Most people get excellent results after just one session and are sent home with kits to ‘touch up’ their teeth as and when they see fit. If you want an entirely new treatment, whether that’s in practice or at home, then a prior dental consultation is required. What Can I Eat After Zoom Whitening? What you eat and drink in the first 48 hours after whitening is crucial to ensuring you have lasting whiteness, so you should maintain what is known as a ‘white diet’. This sounds strange but it's common sense, when you think about it. The tooth enamel remains porous for the first 2 days, meaning that it is more susceptible to staining during this time period. For this reason, food and drink such as white rice, white sauces, bananas, milk, white wine, pasta and plain chicken are fine to eat. For me, it was an excuse to eat those little pots of luxury rice pudding every day! You should avoid darker foods that are likely to stain your teeth such as tea, coffee, red wine, chocolate, broccoli, red pasta sauce, curry sauce, fruit (aside from bananas, apples and pears) and fruit juices. Toothpastes and mouthwash that have colours in them should also be avoided. Once this 48 hour time period is up, you can go back to consuming whatever you want without the risk of it ruining your whitened smile! How Do You Use Zoom Whitening Trays? How Long Should I Leave Them In? There are 2 different kinds of at home kits to fit into your busy schedule, DayWhite and NiteWhite. Your dentist will take into account your lifestyle and recommend the best one for you. Both kits use the same ingredients and method, the only difference is the length of time you leave the trays in your mouth for. Philips Zoom DayWhite should be used twice a day, preferably once in the morning and once in the evening. The trays should be worn for 30-90 minutes each time they are used, with the exact amount of time being recommended by your dentist. NiteWhite whitens your teeth as you sleep. The whitening gel is applied before bed, and taken out when you wake up. This version comes in different strengths, the right one for you will be decided by your dentist. Both kits are simple to use and only require a few steps: Brush your teeth well to remove any plaquePlace a teardrop sized amount of the whitening gel into each impression in your custom whitening traysPlace the tray over your teethWait for the prescribed length of time, remove the trays and clean them with cold water to ensure there is no leftover gelBrush your teeth once more and enjoy your whiter smile! Both Philips Zoom DayWhite and NiteWhite will give you noticeable results in 2 weeks. Zoom Whitening Reviews: What Do People Think? If you’re still unsure whether to go for it, reading reviews can help you make your mind up. Zoom Whitening is a popular treatment and on the whole many people are happy with their results. One person said that her teeth were “amazingly white” afterwards, but she did experience zingers afterwards, but said that “they soon faded”. Someone else who went for the NiteWhite at-home treatment said that she was “REALLY pleased with the results” and “didn’t get any sensitivity whatsoever”, she also said that she “heartily recommends it”. However, another person reported that the sensitivity pain was “too intense” for the treatment to be considered worthwhile, despite being “very pleased” with how white her teeth were. Although, someone who said they have “super sensitive teeth” says that “the results are amazing” and that they “only need to whiten my teeth roughly once every couple of months” It seems that most reviews are positive, with a few people complaining about the sensitivity the treatment causes, although someone said that using a sensitivity toothpaste before and after treatment can counteract this side effect. If you’re considering Philips Zoom Whitening, be sure to check with your dentist whether this is the right treatment for you. I found it was definitely worth it, and it gave me much more confidence when I smile!