Professional Teeth Whitening
At ALH Dental Hygiene Clinic, we offer professional teeth whitening options using Philips Zoom Whitening, including both in-office whitening and take-home whitening.
Our team will assess your teeth and oral health before recommending the whitening option that best suits your goals, sensitivity level, and lifestyle.
Philips Zoom In-Office Whitening
Philips Zoom In-Office Whitening is a professional whitening treatment completed in the clinic.
A professional whitening gel is carefully applied to the teeth, and the treatment is performed in a controlled setting under the supervision of our dental team.
This option may be suitable for patients who:
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Want a noticeable improvement in tooth brightness
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Prefer to complete whitening in a single clinic visit
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Have staining from coffee, tea, or everyday habits
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Want professional guidance throughout the whitening process
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Prefer not to manage multiple whitening sessions at home
The total appointment time may vary depending on your individual needs and the whitening protocol used.
What Happens During In-Office Whitening?
Your visit may include:
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Assessment of your teeth and gums
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Review of your whitening goals
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Recording your starting tooth shade
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Protection of the lips, gums, and surrounding tissues
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Application of professional whitening gel
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Whitening cycles performed according to the recommended protocol
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Review of your final shade and aftercare instructions
Some patients may experience temporary tooth sensitivity during or after whitening. Sensitivity is usually short-term and varies from person to person.
Philips Zoom Take-Home Whitening
For patients who prefer to whiten gradually at home, we also offer Philips Zoom Take-Home Whitening.
Take-home whitening allows you to use professional whitening products at home according to instructions provided by our dental team.
Depending on the system selected, your whitening plan may include professional whitening trays and whitening gel designed for home use.
Take-home whitening may be a good option for patients who:
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Prefer gradual whitening
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Want more flexibility with their whitening schedule
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Prefer to whiten from home
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Want to maintain or refresh previous whitening results
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Prefer a lower-intensity approach over multiple applications
Our team will explain how much whitening gel to use, how long to wear the trays, and how often to complete treatment.
In-Office or Take-Home: Which One Is Right for Me?
Both options can be effective, but they offer different experiences.
In-Office Whitening may be better suited for patients who want:
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Faster results
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Professional treatment completed in the clinic
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A more convenient single-visit approach
Take-Home Whitening may be better suited for patients who want:
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Gradual whitening
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More control over the whitening schedule
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The convenience of completing treatment at home
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An option for future touch-ups or maintenance
In some cases, patients may choose a combination of in-office and take-home whitening to achieve and maintain their desired result.
What Types of Stains Can Whitening Improve?
Professional whitening may help improve discoloration caused by:
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Coffee
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Tea
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Certain foods and drinks
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Natural aging
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Some types of external staining
However, not all discoloration responds to whitening in the same way.
The final result depends on your natural tooth colour, the cause of the discoloration, previous dental treatment, and individual response to whitening.
Will Crowns, Veneers or Fillings Whiten?
No.
Teeth whitening works on natural tooth structure. Existing restorations such as:
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Crowns
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Veneers
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Composite fillings
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Bridges
will not change colour with whitening treatment.
If you have visible restorations, especially on your front teeth, we recommend discussing this with our team before whitening so that you can have realistic expectations about the final colour match.
Will Teeth Whitening Cause Sensitivity?
Temporary tooth sensitivity is one of the most common side effects of professional whitening.
Sensitivity can vary depending on the individual, whitening product, concentration, treatment time, and existing tooth sensitivity.
If you already have sensitive teeth, please let us know before treatment. We can discuss ways to make the whitening process more comfortable and determine whether in-office or take-home whitening may be more appropriate for you.
How Long Do Whitening Results Last?
Whitening results are not permanent.
How long your teeth remain brighter depends on your habits and lifestyle. Coffee, tea, smoking, certain foods, and natural aging may gradually cause discoloration to return.
To help maintain your results, we may recommend:
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Good daily brushing and flossing
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Regular professional dental hygiene visits
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Limiting strongly staining foods and drinks when possible
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Rinsing with water after coffee or tea
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Occasional professional take-home whitening touch-ups when appropriate
What Should I Avoid After Whitening?
After professional whitening, your teeth may be temporarily more sensitive and more susceptible to staining.
For the first 24–48 hours, you may be advised to limit strongly coloured foods and drinks such as:
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Coffee
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Tea
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Red wine
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Dark sauces
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Berries
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Strongly pigmented foods
You should also follow any individualized aftercare instructions provided by our team.
Is Professional Teeth Whitening Right for Everyone?
Not everyone is an ideal candidate for whitening.
Before treatment, we may recommend an oral health assessment, especially if you have:
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Untreated cavities
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Gum inflammation
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Significant tooth sensitivity
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Cracked or damaged teeth
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Extensive restorations
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Dental concerns that should be addressed before whitening
Our goal is to help you whiten your teeth safely and with realistic expectations.
Brighten Your Smile Your Way
Whether you prefer the convenience of Philips Zoom In-Office Whitening or the flexibility of Philips Zoom Take-Home Whitening, our team can help you choose the option that best fits your smile goals.
Ask our team which Philips Zoom whitening option is right for you.


