What you need to know about teeth bleaching

At Elite Smile Center of The Woodlands, one treatment stands out as the most requested by our patients: Zoom Whitening. This advanced professional teeth whitening option has become a favorite for those looking to achieve a dramatically brighter smile in a single visit—without the sensitivity or discomfort often associated with other whitening treatments.

Zoom Whitening is a light-activated procedure that lifts years of stains and discoloration from the teeth caused by coffee, tea, wine, smoking, aging, or certain medications. In just one session, patients can experience results of up to 8 shades whiter.

 

How Zoom Works at the Enamel Level

Zoom Whitening uses a professional-strength hydrogen peroxide gel, which is applied directly to the teeth. Once exposed to a specially calibrated LED light, the peroxide breaks down and releases oxygen molecules. These molecules penetrate the porous enamel surface and oxidize deep-set stains within the dentin layer. Importantly, this process does not damage or thin the enamel, making it a safe and scientifically sound method of whitening. The structure of your teeth remains intact—only the discoloration is lifted.

What to Avoid After Whitening — And Why

After Zoom Whitening, your teeth are especially porous for the first 24–48 hours, making them more susceptible to staining. To preserve your results and prevent immediate re-staining, we strongly recommend avoiding the following:

For the first 48 hours:

❌ Coffee 

❌ Tea 

❌ Red wine 

❌ Tomato-based sauces 

❌ Berries (blueberries, raspberries, etc.) 

❌ Dark-colored sodas or juices 

❌ Soy sauce, balsamic vinegar, or anything heavily pigmented 

❌ Smoking or vaping

Stick to a “white diet” during this time—think grilled chicken, rice, cauliflower, milk, bananas, and plain yogurt. This helps maintain your newly whitened shade and gives your enamel time to rehydrate and remineralize.

How Long Does Zoom Whitening Results Last?

Zoom Whitening results typically last between 12 to 24 months, depending on your habits and lifestyle. Patients who avoid staining foods, use a whitening toothpaste, and come in for periodic touch-ups often enjoy long-lasting results. We also recommend our Zoom take-home trays for easy maintenance at home every few months, especially if you consume coffee or wine regularly. And, for touch ups on the go, use our Zoom pen!

What Makes Our Zoom Whitening Different

At our office, we’ve customized the Zoom Whitening experience to deliver powerful results with maximum comfort. We use an enhanced formulation that includes desensitizing ingredients and enamel-strengthening minerals, which allow for little to no post-treatment sensitivity—even for patients who have had discomfort with whitening in the past.

We also understand that every patient is unique. Our procedure can be customized for those with sensitive teeth, using gels that contain specialized compounds to reduce reactivity and ensure a pleasant, pain-free experience.

To protect your lips and elevate your comfort, we apply a Vitamin E oil balm before treatment, keeping your lips soft, hydrated, and irritation-free.

But what truly sets our Zoom in-office teeth whitening apart from other dental offices is the luxurious and comforting experience we provide throughout the treatment.

At Elite Smile Center of The Woodlands, we believe your smile transformation should feel just as good as it looks. That’s why we offer our patients a thoughtfully curated comfort menu to enjoy before, during, and after their whitening session.

Before the treatment, patients can choose from refreshing beverages such as chilled cucumber mint basil water, raspberry tea, or a sparkling Martinelli’s.

During the procedure, we provide cozy amenities like a neck pillow, fleece blanket, soft ear plugs, and soothing under-eye cooling patches.

After the treatment, patients are pampered with a warm towel and a nourishing lip balm. We even offer light snacks like Aussie yogurt, to complete the experience.

This personalized approach is designed to make every step of your whitening journey relaxing, indulgent, and uniquely enjoyable—because your comfort matters just as much as your results.