A Guide to Safe, Comfortable, and Effective Teeth Whitening

Your smile is one of the most important ways to present yourself to the world. But you may not put your best smile forward if you have stained teeth. Struggling with tooth discoloration? A Brush Above Family Dentistry in Chicago, Illinois, can help. One of the popular services we offer is Zoom teeth whitening — a cost-effective method to brighten your smile in just one appointment. 

Why are my teeth stained?

You were born with naturally pristine white teeth, so why have they become discolored or stained? Aging can cause teeth to become yellow. Our teeth’ outer layer (the enamel) naturally wears away as we age, revealing the yellow dentin underneath. 

Other offenders of tooth discoloration include:

• Food and beverages: Red wine, dark-colored fruits, sodas, and coffee can stain your teeth over time.
• Poor oral hygiene: Poor oral hygiene leads to calculus buildup, which can cause your teeth to become discolored.
• Tobacco: Tobacco contains tar and nicotine, the main culprits behind teeth staining. Tar is a sticky substance that easily adheres to the enamel of teeth, while nicotine is a yellow-colored compound prone to discoloration.
• Medical treatments: Several medications, including certain antidepressants and antihistamines, can discolor your teeth. Also, treatments like radiotherapy and chemotherapy can stain your teeth.
• Disease or trauma: If a tooth is injured or damaged, it may darken or become discolored.

As you can see, teeth discoloration comes in many shapes and sizes — a one-size-fits-all approach may not work in most cases. The best option is to book a consultation with experienced dentists like Drs. Marcella Guzman, Philip Fidel, and Rosa Sinno. We will evaluate your smile and determine the best treatment for a whiter smile. Professional teeth whitening works for most tooth stains, but severely discolored teeth may need crown or veneer treatment. 

Zoom teeth whitening treatment: What to expect

Our powerful Zoom can deliver a bright smile in just over an hour. Here is what to expect when undergoing our Zoom teeth whitening treatment.

• Evaluation: We examine your teeth to ensure you don’t have cavities, gum disease, and extreme tooth sensitivity. These issues must be resolved before teeth whitening.
• Preparation: Before teeth whitening, we professionally clean your teeth to remove unsightly plaque and tartar. Then we cover your lips, gums, and cheeks to prevent the abrasive whitening gel from harming your soft tissues.
• Application: We carefully apply Zoom whitening gel to your teeth and activate it using a special light to accelerate the process. We leave the whitening gel on your teeth for about 15 minutes to break down stains deep in your enamel. We can repeat this process 3-4 times, depending on how bright you want your smile to appear.
• Desensitizing: After treatment, we rinse your teeth to remove the bleaching agent from your teeth and apply a fluoride gel to minimize tooth sensitivity.

The entire Zoom whitening procedure takes about 1-2 hours, depending on the level of tooth discoloration. The results are quick, with your smile appearing eight shades whiter in just one appointment. Before you go, we give you a touch-up kit to maintain your whitening results at home. 

Add glow to your teeth with professional teeth whitening

Professional teeth whitening is the solution if tooth discoloration is the only obstacle between you and your dream smile. To brighten your smile in Chicago, IL, please dial (773) 840-0378 to schedule a consultation with A Brush Above Family Dentistry for Zoom teeth whitening.