A Date and Zoom Whitening the Same Day

I have an upcoming appointment to have my teeth whitened for the first time using the Zoom Whitening system. The thing is, someone I really enjoy has asked me out for a date on the same day as my whitening. My appointment is at 3:00 in the afternoon, and we’d not start the date until around 7:00 in the evening. I’m hoping I won’t be in too much pain, but I’ve never had this done before. Will I be okay to go on the date? I feel like saying my teeth hurt would be a lame excuse.

Cassidy

Hi Cassidy,

What a full, exciting day you have planned! This is a great question you’ve asked here, and an important angle to consider when planning your upcoming events. The answer to your question is, it depends.

How Zoom Works

You mention never having had Zoom whitening performed on your teeth before. A short summation regarding what to expect will help you make the correct decision here.

Typically, patients do not need a local anesthetic for this procedure. It will take roughly an hour or so, sometimes a little more.

The clinician will isolate your teeth by using lip and cheek retractors, then will place a bead of material on the gum line along each tooth, which then hardens and acts as a barrier, protecting the soft gingiva from the whitening agent and preventing burns.

After that, the Zoom whitening gel is applied to each tooth, and a blue LED light is shone upon your teeth. This light helps initiate the whitening process and speeds it along. Typically, you will need 15 minutes under the light for each of the four quadrants of your mouth, equaling an hour. The gel is then suctioned and rinsed off, and the barrier is removed from your gums.

Many practitioners choose to place a fluoride varnish at this time to lessen post-appointment sensitivity. Your doctor will let you know what is best for you at your appointment. Considering your date, I would ask for this if it is not offered.

Post-Appointment Care

Your enamel is made up of tiny microscopic “tubules”, which, while typically sealed, are opened during the whitening process to allow the gel to enter the tooth. Once your teeth have been whitened, it’s best to stay away from beets, red wine, tea, coffee, and other staining foods, since during this time your teeth will be much more prone to staining. Will your date include going out to dinner? If so, try to avoid these types of foods if possible.

What To Expect

Occasionally, some people experience a degree of post-appointment pain and discomfort following Zoom whitening. You can simply take some over the counter pain medication to find relief, but if this happens to you, it may affect your enjoyment of the date. Will you be having cold drinks, or ice cream desserts? While the discomfort will likely be a nagging annoyance and not an emergency, you may elect to reschedule the date for a different day. However, if you’d prefer to keep it, consider taking some pain medication before your evening out.

It’s Up To You

Ultimately of course, this is your own personal decision. It’s always best to make an informed choice once you’ve been made aware of the facts–good on you for being proactive! Now that you know, have a wonderful visit and a fantastic date, no matter which day they fall on.

This blog is brought to you by Moline Dentist Dr. Goebel.

Why Do I Have Cracks in My Teeth After Zoom Whitening?

Last month, I got Zoom whitening. My dentist asked me to wait two weeks for the color to settle before I started at-home whitening if I wanted it. Now that I am whitening my teeth and looking at them close up in the mirror, I see fine lines, like hairline cracks that I have never noticed. Is the bleaching gel too strong for my teeth and causing them to crack? Will these cracks get worse if I keep using the gel? Thank you. Krystiana from NM

Krystiana,

Thank you for your question.

Does Zoom® Whitening Cause Hairline Cracks in Teeth?

Zoom® and other brands of in-office whitening do not cause hairline cracks in teeth. The bleaching gel breaks down stains but does not cause fractures. You may notice preexisting craze lines while examining your teeth more closely as you whiten them.

What Are Craze Lines in Teeth?

Craze lines are tiny, thin vertical cracks in teeth enamel. The lines occur with age and are most noticeable in middle-aged adults and seniors. The American Association of Endodontics states that most adult teeth have craze lines.

Factors that contribute to craze lines include:

• Habitually chewing ice or hard objects
• Misaligned teeth
• Nail biting
• Teeth clenching or grinding
• Tooth trauma or injury

Facts About Craze Lines

What you should know about craze lines in teeth:

• They are harmless and painless.
• Most often, they affect the front teeth.
• They are limited to tooth enamel and do not affect the layers beneath.

Can a Dentist Hide Craze Lines in Teeth?

An experienced cosmetic dentist can apply dental bonding to your teeth and hide craze lines. The bonding will perfectly match your tooth shade and translucence. Still, if you have prolonged sensitivity while whitening your teeth or feel any discomfort in the teeth with craze lines, speak with your dentist.

Dr. Thomas Goebel, a Moline, Illinois dentist, sponsors this post.