Zoom! Whitening

As you age your teeth are prone to becoming stained or discoloured. Tooth whitening is a great dental innovation which can help to lighten the natural colour of your teeth without resorting to removing or replacing teeth. Zoom! teeth whitening is a safe, effective and most importantly, very quick way to brighter, whiter teeth.

The structure of your teeth

Each tooth is made up of two main layers. The inner layer is made up of a material called dentin, this calcified body tissue contains microscopic channels which penetrate all the way to the outer layer, the enamel. The enamel is the hard outer layer which shields your teeth. As you eat and drink another layer is gradually formed over the top of your enamel (this is clinically known as a pellicle film) and certain foods and drinks such as red wine, tea and coffee have been shown to increase the rate of discolouration. It's possible for this layer to be cleaned by brushing your teeth, scraping or by using certain chemical procedures. Stains are commonly put into two categories, extrinsic stains appear mostly on the surface of teeth and can usually be brushed away initially. Intrinsic stains are stains which form inside the tooth and gradually appear on the outside. However the big problem is that the materials in your food and drink which cause the staining can penetrate through the porous enamel to where they can't be scraped or scoured off and this is where Zoom! whitening comes in.

About Zoom! Whitening

The Zoom! procedure is quick and efficient. Firstly your dentist will cover your lips and gums, so that only your teeth remain exposed. You'll then have the Zoom! whitening gel applied to your teeth. This gel is specially designed to be used in conjunction with the Zoom! laser which will combine to carefully penetrate your teeth and safely break up any discolouration or stains.

The gel will be applied for about fifteen minutes in three treatment sessions, the complete procedure takes around 45 minutes. After the gel is removed you should be able to notice an improvement straight away!

What causes stains?

The biggest role in the colouring of your teeth is played by your diet. Clinical studies have shown certain types of food can contribute to staining more than others. Examples include red wine, coffee, tea, soft drinks, oranges and some acidic foods like citrus fruits or vinegar can also contribute. Similarly smoking can play a big part in the staining of teeth as the nicotine has been shown to leave brown deposits which are gradually absorbed by the tooth causing intrinsic stains. If you grind your teeth can add to cracks in the teeth which can potentially cause a darkening in the edges of your teeth. Also accidents or damage to the teeth can also produce cracks which are vulnerable to a build up of stains and debris.