What causes tooth discoloration? There are many causes, the most common include coffee, tea, colas, tobacco, red wine, etc. Teeth may also be stained from certain medications that are used when teeth are forming. Who may benefit from tooth bleaching? Almost everyone can benefit from bleaching although it may be more or less effective depending on the individual. Do many people whiten their teeth and is it safe? Bleaching is a popular dental therapy and more people than you imagine bleach their teeth on a regular basis. Extensive research shows that tooth bleaching is very safe. It is however not recommended for women who are pregnant or lactating nor is it recommended for children under the age of 13. How long does bleaching last? By following some simple post bleaching instructions your teeth will remain lighter than their pretreatment color for a very long time. Our office will discuss with you in depth how to keep your teeth lighter for many years and we offer products only available through dental offices which can help you maintain a brighter smile for many years to come. How does Zoom work? The Zoom light activates hydrogen peroxide which is the active ingredient in our special bleaching gels. Hydrogen peroxide removes stain and penetrates tooth structure to remove those elements which cause "color" in your teeth. What does it feel like to go through a bleaching process? The patient relaxes in our dental chair while the process occurs. The gum tissues are protected from the bleaching process with a special type of drape. The bleaching materials are then applied and washed off the teeth during specific intervals. The patient may feel some slight tingling during the procedure. After as little as forty-five minutes or as much as an hour all the draping is removed and the patient is given instructions and sent back into their normal life. Are there any side effects? Minimal side effects may occur during the bleaching procedure as stated above. Post bleaching there may be tooth sensitivity for the first 24 hours. The major side effect is the inability to stop smiling.