Is Laser Teeth Whitening A Safe Option?

A great smile sparks confidence. For many people, a great smile includes pearly white teeth. If you are exploring tooth whitening options such as whitening strips, whitening gel, custom fit whitening trays or laser tooth whitening, you already know there is a lot to choose from. You also know that laser teeth whitening is considered a top level service. If you’re wondering about this cosmetic dental treatment option, read on to learn more and decide if it’s right for you.

What is teeth whitening?

Teeth whitening is a popular cosmetic dentistry service. It is the process of removing surface stains and discolouration from teeth and altering the colour to appear brighter and whiter.

Tooth Whitening Options

There are several means to perform tooth whitening, including:

• Over the counter tooth paste
• Over the counter whitening strips, which have a tooth whitening gel on them and are worn for some time per day, over the course of a few weeks, until teeth reach the desired shade
• Custom fit whitening trays made by your dentist, used with professional strength whitening gel, work for 30-0 minutes per day, or overnight, depending on the formula chosen, until teeth are whitened to the desired shade
• Laser whitening for teeth, which is performed in a dental office by trained professionals and involves the application of a tooth bleaching agent and heat from a lamp or laser to quickly whiten teeth

Is tooth whitening permanent?

All tooth whitening treatments are semi-permanent. As one eats and drinks tooth staining foods such as chocolate, coffee or wine, or as we age, teeth become discoloured again. Re-treatment is performed as often as desired. For some people, annual tooth whitening is a personal choice, and for others, once every 3-5 years is enough to maintain the desired appearance.

About Laser Teeth Whitening

We offer Zoom whitening in our Bowmanville Dental office. You may have seen Zoom tooth whitening in the media or on Extreme Makeover on TV.

We chose this in house treatment option because it is effective, and we want to give our patients options. In addition to Zoom whitening, we offer custom fit whitening trays and professional strength whitening gel.

The Zoom tooth whitening system works via a combination of the active ingredient hydrogen peroxide and heat. The active ingredient is applied to the teeth. The laser is used to activate the hydrogen peroxide. As it breaks down, oxygen enters the tooth enamel and dentin and breaks up stains and discolouration. The structure of the tooth itself remains unchanged.

How long does Zoom Laser tooth whitening take?

Each appointment is one hour. You may need several appointments. The appointments consist of a preparation phase where agents are applied to your teeth, and a treatment phase, where the laser is actively applied to your teeth.

Does laser whitening hurt?

Most patients are comfortable during treatment, and are able to comfortably watch TV in the office or listen to music on their personal device. Those with a strong gag reflex may be better suited to custom fit whitening trays.

Are there any risks with tooth whitening?

It is common to experience some tooth sensitivity after any type of tooth whitening treatment, however this is transient, and will pass with time.
In some instances, some soft tissue irritation can also occur, which will heal.

Research shows tooth whitening with bleaching agents to be a safe procedure, though less research is available for laser whitening. In general, any tooth whitening is not recommended for children under the age of 13, or pregnant or lactating women. It is always recommended that whitening treatment be performed under the supervision of a trained dental professional.

To reduce the risk of gum tissue trauma during whitening, always be sure to apply the right amount of whitening agent, as too much can escape from the tooth surface, on to the gums, where it can cause minor burn or injury.

To reduce the risk of sensitivity, especially if you already have tooth sensitivity, ask your dentist about in office fluoride treatment prior to tooth whitening. You can also use a sensitivity reducing tooth paste during and after tooth whitening treatment.

Millions of people worldwide have received laser tooth whitening treatment without issue, and the service continues to be offered without any area of concern.

Tooth Whitening Treatment In Bowmanville

Our team of wonderful dentists, hygienists and dental assistants have been voted the number one dental office in Clarington several times now. We are happy to see you in person, assess your dental needs, and discuss your wishes and options for cosmetic dentistry and tooth whitening.