Question:
I'm going to the dentist next week for a routine visit, but wanted to
get more information on teeth bleaching. Does anyone on this board
have experience with either ZOOM (laser) teeth bleaching or the
conventional dental peroxide bleaching trays dentists use?
Answer:
I've seen the Zoom (laser) bleaching done on TV but I'm a little
worried (obviously) about the effects of the laser on my surrounding
facial skin with respect to rosacea. Even the dental trays worry me
as they sit in your mouth with the solution all night and that method
takes a couple of weeks.
I have had both done years ago. I like the trays better as
they didn't seem to be as irritating to my gums. Then I decided to
try the laser bleaching. Oh my gosh, my teeth hurt for a week or
two.
My newest dentist said I should never have had the laser as my gums
are so sensitive. I don't think it really has anything to do with
your skin. And the laser didn't touch my lips only my teeth.
My son had the tray bleaching as well. The only thing I would
caution is to use a milder dental peroxide. They started him on a
10%, then went a bit higher, and then went to 20% which about did
his teeth in as well. However, on the plus side, the sensitivity
doesn't last that long, perhaps a week or two. And boy are his
teeth white!!
I found the best luck with 15-18%? I can't remember what I have.
The other thing I like about the trays is that a year later, you can
reuse everything for a week or two and have nice, white teeth
again. The trays are really really small, perfectly fitting to your
teeth. And I think you can get by with an hour or two at night. So
you wouldn't have to wear them all night long.
I use the trays. The good thing about them is that you can re-use
them any time you need to re-whiten your pearly whites. The
downside is that you need to wear them all night and then once you
take them off in the morning, nothing to eat or drink for an hour
(except water).
