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*Treatment results may vary
I first tried non-Zoom whitening with a dentist,...
I first tried non-Zoom whitening with a dentist, plus at an at home whitening kit. Results were minimal. Finally, I decided to try in-office Zoom with another dentist. *Much whiter!!* Very happy!! Definitely had pain afterward for about 12 hours-- in my case an overall ache, plus cold sensitivity. But worth it.
If you have hot/cold sensitivity or feel sensitivity to cold air suction during dental cleanings, you will probably experience sensivity or pain during and/or after Zoom teeth whitening. That's what happened to me. But I found the pain very manageable (read on!)
Tips and tricks:
1)Go to an experienced dentist. The bleaching material is extremely powerful and burns. (It needs to penetrate tooth enamel, said to be the hardest material in the body.) Even a bit of the bleach, carried by saliva, stings badly. So you want someone who does this a lot, is exceedingly careful, and who will be able to help you post-procedure, if need be. Good for your dentist to do a pre-procedure evaluation, so that s/he can assess if you are a good candidate and plan for procedure (fit tongue guard, assess your sensivity levels.)
2)Make sure that the dentist protects every bit of your gums (cotton wadding, or similar) and lips (Vaseline or similar) from the bleach. Also want tongue guard to keep tongue away from the bleach. Let the dentist know if you feel any stinging during the procedure. (I did.)
3)Bring sunglasses to the procedure or dentist should supply goggles. Protects your eyes from the light used to help the bleach penetrate. Your eyes should be closed when the light is on.
4)Didn't do this, but I have since read that it is a good idea to brush your teeth with an anti-sensitivity toothpaste like Sensodyne for a week or two pre-procedure. Makes sense to me.
5)Shortly before procedure, take 400-600 mg of ibuprofen or similar analgesic to reduce sensitivity.
6)My dentist also gave me an industrial-strength aspirin to get me through the first few hours after the procedure. Thank you!
7)I took 400 mg of ibuprofen about 4 hours after the procedure (after dentist's painkiller started to wear off) and again 11-12 hours post procedure. (An additional dose 8 hours after would have been a good idea, too.) As mentioned, I experienced an overall dull ache and cold sensitivity.
8)IMPORTANT: Rinse with warm salt water if you are experiencing pain. Really helped me! Almost immediate relief! Didn't try this until 12 hours later-- wish I had done it prior. Thought that this was more effective than ibuprofen.
9)IMPORTANT: Brush gently (use soft-bristle toothbrush) with anti-sensitivity toothpaste. Helps a good deal. Didn't do this until bed-time. Probably would have helped had I tried it earlier.
Summary on pain control:
Before procedure:
Probably good idea to brush with anti--sensitivity toothpaste for 1-2 weeks prior.
Take 400-600 mg of ibuprofen or similar analgesic.
After procedure:
Warm salt water rinses! Enormous help.
Brush gently with anti-sensitivity toothpaste, using soft-bristle toothbrush. (Might also help to apply paste to areas that hurt and let it sit.)
Avoid cold and hot substances if you are having cold/heat sensitivity.
Take ibuprofen or similar as needed.
If you have hot/cold sensitivity or feel sensitivity to cold air suction during dental cleanings, you will probably experience sensivity or pain during and/or after Zoom teeth whitening. That's what happened to me. But I found the pain very manageable (read on!)
Tips and tricks:
1)Go to an experienced dentist. The bleaching material is extremely powerful and burns. (It needs to penetrate tooth enamel, said to be the hardest material in the body.) Even a bit of the bleach, carried by saliva, stings badly. So you want someone who does this a lot, is exceedingly careful, and who will be able to help you post-procedure, if need be. Good for your dentist to do a pre-procedure evaluation, so that s/he can assess if you are a good candidate and plan for procedure (fit tongue guard, assess your sensivity levels.)
2)Make sure that the dentist protects every bit of your gums (cotton wadding, or similar) and lips (Vaseline or similar) from the bleach. Also want tongue guard to keep tongue away from the bleach. Let the dentist know if you feel any stinging during the procedure. (I did.)
3)Bring sunglasses to the procedure or dentist should supply goggles. Protects your eyes from the light used to help the bleach penetrate. Your eyes should be closed when the light is on.
4)Didn't do this, but I have since read that it is a good idea to brush your teeth with an anti-sensitivity toothpaste like Sensodyne for a week or two pre-procedure. Makes sense to me.
5)Shortly before procedure, take 400-600 mg of ibuprofen or similar analgesic to reduce sensitivity.
6)My dentist also gave me an industrial-strength aspirin to get me through the first few hours after the procedure. Thank you!
7)I took 400 mg of ibuprofen about 4 hours after the procedure (after dentist's painkiller started to wear off) and again 11-12 hours post procedure. (An additional dose 8 hours after would have been a good idea, too.) As mentioned, I experienced an overall dull ache and cold sensitivity.
8)IMPORTANT: Rinse with warm salt water if you are experiencing pain. Really helped me! Almost immediate relief! Didn't try this until 12 hours later-- wish I had done it prior. Thought that this was more effective than ibuprofen.
9)IMPORTANT: Brush gently (use soft-bristle toothbrush) with anti-sensitivity toothpaste. Helps a good deal. Didn't do this until bed-time. Probably would have helped had I tried it earlier.
Summary on pain control:
Before procedure:
Probably good idea to brush with anti--sensitivity toothpaste for 1-2 weeks prior.
Take 400-600 mg of ibuprofen or similar analgesic.
After procedure:
Warm salt water rinses! Enormous help.
Brush gently with anti-sensitivity toothpaste, using soft-bristle toothbrush. (Might also help to apply paste to areas that hurt and let it sit.)
Avoid cold and hot substances if you are having cold/heat sensitivity.
Take ibuprofen or similar as needed.
Provider Review
Dr. Jack Mirchin
Very thorough and experienced. Excellent job.