Do I Need to Have my Teeth Cleaned Prior to the Zoom Whitening?

Your teeth should be free of tartar, plaque, and stain that can be removed by a hygienist prior to Zoom whitening.  Keeping your teeth clean and tartar-free is important to preserve your gum health even without considering whitening, and will help keep your smile looking great!

Simple answer is YES.  Tarter, plaque, calculus can cover your teeth and prevent the gel from working.  You do not want to have your teeth cleaned and whitened in the same day they will be very sensitive. 

YES. If there is any accumulation of plaque or tartar (calculus) on your teeth, the actual enamel will not be reached by the Zoom whitening gel. However, it is preferable to have the cleaning done at least 24-hours prior to the whitening, in case there is any bleeding of the gums.

Having a cleaning with your hygienist before whitening is definitely a good idea. The plaque, tarter, and/or debris will cause a build-up on your teeth that may not allow the teeth to whiten in certain areas, resulting in uneven coloring on your teeth. The same is true for the inflamation of the gums. If the whitening is done when your gums are inflamed you may have left over yellowing close to the gums after the inflimation is taken care of.

Some patients are concerned about the possible sensitivity when having a cleaning before the whitening. However, this can usually be combated by using tooth paste made for sensitivity (such as fluoridex) 1-2 weeks before and after treatment, with the combination of ibuprophen on the day of treatment. 

If you want the best possible result from your Zoom Whitening treatment then have it done within a week of your cleaning.