Plenty of people feel self-conscious about their smile due to teeth discoloration, but they also assume that their teeth sensitivity would prevent them from getting professional whitening treatments. However, this isn’t necessarily the case. There are some whitening treatments that aren’t recommended for those with sensitive teeth, but Zoom’s proprietary whitening products contain a key ingredient that can actually reduce sensitivity (more on that later).

What does this mean for those with teeth that are both discolored and sensitive? In many cases, it means that they can still enjoy the best teeth whitening for sensitive teeth, without having to worry about increased discomfort during or after the procedure. 

A qualified cosmetic dentist will be able to evaluate each person’s dental health, and decide which treatment would provide the best teeth whitening for sensitive teeth. Some tooth sensitivity comes from conditions that would prevent a patient from getting their teeth whitened in any case, like cracked enamel or advanced gum disease. The good news? For most people with tooth sensitivity, this isn’t the end of the road for getting their dream smile. 

Is Zoom whitening the best teeth whitening for sensitive teeth?

In-office Zoom teeth whitening combines a proprietary gel with LED teeth whitening for a powerful brightening effect. On the surface, there isn’t that much difference between this and other light-activated teeth whitening treatments. However, Zoom whitening treatments incorporate amorphous calcium phosphate, or ACP. This ingredient has been clinically proven to protect the enamel, reduce sensitivity, and even improve the luster of your smile. 

Whether you opt for Zoom’s in-office or at-home teeth whitening treatments, you’ll still benefit from their special ACP formulation that’s designed to reduce sensitivity. Yes, there are other teeth whitening options for sensitive teeth, but many of them are less effective than Zoom. If you experience sensitivity but you also want dramatic results, your dentist may recommend Zoom teeth whitening as the best option.

Common causes of sensitive teeth, and how they could affect your Zoom teeth whitening procedure

Having sensitive teeth doesn’t mean you’re automatically unable to have your teeth professionally whitened – not always, anyway. Tooth sensitivity is usually a symptom of some underlying issue, and while some of these issues wouldn’t be worsened by teeth whitening process, others would. The dentist who’s performing the initial examination will determine what’s causing your sensitivity, and whether or not it would be affected by the whitening procedure. They may also recommend things like avoiding sugar, or using the best sensitive teeth toothpaste. 

The most common causes of sensitive teeth are:

• Damaged enamel, which can range from mild to severe. Enamel can be weakened by excessive tooth brushing, too many acidic foods or beverages, tooth-grinding, or other bad dental habits. If the damage is mild, a dentist may approve a carefully calibrated teeth whitening treatment, or an at-home option like sensitive teeth whitening strips. For more advanced damage, though, they might recommend improving enamel strength before exposing the damaged teeth to strong whitening agents. 
• Gum disease, like gingivitis or periodontitis. Receding or loosened gums can cause tooth sensitivity, along with a number of other potential issues. If gum disease is present, teeth whitening almost certainly won’t be an option. Instead, the patient should first get their gums healthy, and only then start thinking about professional teeth whitening.
• Recent dental procedures, like extractions, crowns, or root canals. Since teeth whitening can be a temporary source of stress for the teeth, it’s best to wait a while between dental procedures until your teeth are fully recovered. Again, this can be determined during an examination by a qualified dentist.

Tips for those who aren’t sure about Zoom teeth whitening due to sensitivity

If you experience teeth sensitivity and aren’t sure that professional teeth whitening is the way to go, the first step is to have your teeth evaluated by a dentist. They’ll be able to give you an in-depth understanding of what’s causing the sensitivity, as well as how to address it. 

For the majority of people with teeth sensitivity, the problem isn’t that advanced. This could mean that they’re still candidates for teeth whitening sensitive teeth, even if they’ll still experience sensitive teeth after whitening (which is uncommon, but still normal). Since Zoom teeth whitening uses ACP during the process, you can already count on your sensitivity being addressed. However, you don’t just have to depend on aftercare; you can also take some steps to address tooth sensitivity in the weeks before getting your teeth whitened.

• Cut out sugar, overly acidic foods and drinks, or anything else that irritates your teeth. 
• Use the best teeth sensitivity toothpaste you can find, like Sensodyne whitening toothpaste.
• Address teeth grinding with a mouth guard or other dentist-recommended solutions.
• Switch to the softest variety of toothbrush, and use light strokes when cleaning your teeth.

By following these tips (and whatever else your dentist recommends), your teeth should be less sensitive by the time you’re ready for your Zoom teeth whitening appointment.

Teeth whitening sensitive teeth treatments

In general, professional teeth whitening is something that those with sensitive teeth tend to avoid. However, this doesn’t mean that they can’t ever try to whiten their teeth; it just means that they have to be a little smarter about which whitening procedures they choose. These are some of the top options, for both in-office and at-home teeth whitening treatments.

• Zoom teeth whitening is just about the best teeth whitening system for someone who wants the power of professional whitening, but who also struggles with tooth sensitivity. Other LED teeth whitening treatments can give similar results, but they aren’t necessarily formulated with sensitive teeth in mind.
• Sensitive teeth whitening strips, such as Crest 3D Whitestrips for Sensitive Teeth. These have a much lower concentration of the whitening agent, meaning they’re a gentler (but also less effective) alternative to professional treatments.
• Sensodyne toothpaste is one of the best teeth sensitivity toothpaste options. If you’re going for maintenance rather than more dramatic results, this toothpaste could keep your smile bright and reduce sensitivity at the same time.

The takeaway

If you want to get the best teeth whitening for sensitive teeth, Zoom whitening might be a good choice. You could bring it up during a consultation, or just ask what the dentist thinks would be best for you. One thing to keep in mind – it wouldn’t hurt to go to a teeth whitening Plano facility that uses multiple whitening technologies. This way, when the dentist recommends a specific treatment, you know their recommendation isn’t limited by what they can offer. Even if you have sensitive teeth, you can still take advantage of professional whitening treatments to get the smile you want!

‍