What Do Teeth Whitening Kits Include in Austin, TX?

Having a whiter, more attractive smile can make a huge difference in your life. Not only will it change your appearance for the better, it will also increase your self-esteem and boost your self-confidence (not to mention allowing others to see you in a more positive light). If you’re considering having your teeth whitened, you should know a few facts about the process. The first is this: over-the-counter products seldom work the way you expect they might. In fact, most OTC products require repeated applications over the course of many days, and even then the results are usually disappointing. Professional whitening services provided by your dentist, on the other hand, can make your teeth as much as 8 shades whiter in just a single hour-long visit to the dentist’s office! That’s why professional whitening has become so popular over the past few years. And if you still want the option of whitening your teeth at home, most dentists provide take-home kits. In this article, we’ll explain what teeth whitening kits include, as well as the advantages of professional whitening products over OTC brands.

Not All Whitening Products Are Created Equal

There’s no doubt that professional whitening services provided by your dentist are much more effective than any over-the-counter product available. And when it comes to different brands of professional whitening products, many dentists agree that Zoom! is the best of the best. The cutting-edge technology utilized to produce the Zoom! system includes a bleaching agent that is quick, pain-free, and remarkably effective. Unlike most other whitening products, Zoom! gel creates only a minimum amount of tooth sensitivity, can remove stains from dental restorations, and has even been shown to brighten age-related yellowing of the dentin layer in patients’ teeth. Because the Zoom! system is so effective, we are focusing on this product. You should keep in mind that there are other professional whitening brands available, many of which also work well. And depending on the specific product, the contents of professional take-home whitening kits may vary somewhat.

Before we discuss the Zoom! take-home kit, we’ll briefly explain the in-office Zoom! procedure. Most dentists will recommend that their patients first receive in-office whitening services before using the product on their own at home. This will result in immediate, dramatic whitening, after which the patient can use the take-home kit to maintain that brighter smile over the following months. The Zoom! process starts when the dentist uses cheek retractors to fully expose all of the patient’s teeth. Next, the dentist will place a protective covering over the gum tissue to limit any contact with the bleaching agent. The next step involves the dentist applying Zoom! gel to every tooth surface and using a specially designed light for 15 minutes to activate the whitening agent. This entire process is repeated two more times. Afterward, the dentist rinses out the patient’s mouth and the whitening procedure is complete – all within one hour!

What’s Included in the Zoom! Take-Home Kit

Patients who want the ability to whiten their own teeth in the privacy of their own homes will want to purchase a Zoom! whitening kit after their initial in-office whitening procedure is done. Although it takes some time to complete the at-home whitening process – typically one to two weeks – the results produced by the Zoom! product are markedly better than over-the-counter whitening products. Before you take your kit home, your dentist will create a custom-made tray that you can use with the whitening agent. Unlike other over-the-counter products – which typically include a one-size-fits-all tray, whitening strips, or a brush to apply the bleach – a custom-made tray ensures that the whitening agent covers the surface of every tooth evenly. The kit includes a supply of the specially formulated Zoom! whitening agent, which is available in a variety of strengths. With the Zoom! product, there are two types of take-home formulas available: 1) The DayWhite product that is designed to be used in a custom tray for 30 to 90 minutes a day over a two-week period, or 2) The NiteWhite product, which allows the users to wear their custom trays overnight for a two-week period. Although most whitening products produce some amount of sensitivity, the Zoom! formula is designed to minimize that side effect.

The Advantages of Professional Whitening Take-Home Kits

There are several advantages in choosing Zoom! or another professional whitening treatment rather than cheaper over-the-counter products:

• Better results – Zoom! and other professional whitening brands include a stronger solution than most over-the-counter products, and that means quicker, more noticeable results.
• Custom trays – Because Zoom! and most other take-home kits provided by dentists include a custom-made tray, the whitening agent is more evenly distributed to every tooth surface. That means that all your teeth are whitened rather than just a few in the front of your mouth.
• Decreased sensitivity – One common side effect of whitening your teeth – whether it’s professional whitening services performed by your dentist or an over-the-counter whitening product – is increased sensitivity to hot and cold foods and beverages. Although this sensitivity is usually short-lived, it can still be uncomfortable. With the Zoom! product in particular, you’ll experience less sensitivity than with most other products.
• Better oral hygiene – There is one benefit to whitening your teeth that may not be as obvious, but it’s an important one: when you go to the trouble to whiten your teeth, and when you enjoy all the other benefits of a whiter smile, you’re likely to spend more time taking care of your teeth. That means you’ll end up brushing and flossing more often, and even adding other steps to your daily oral hygiene routine, such as rinsing with an anti-bacterial mouthwash and using a water flossing device, for example. All that adds up to better oral health!

While we’ve focused this article on the Zoom! whitening system, keep in mind that there are other professional products that also provide beautiful results. For more information about what teeth whitening kits include, as well as in-office professional teeth whitening services, contact your dentist today and schedule an appointment.