Archive | Teeth Whitening

3 Things to Avoid When Whitening Your Teeth

By Deer Park Smiles on August 30, 2016 in Dental Care, Teeth Whitening

Whether you are getting your teeth professionally whitened by Dr. Janice Scott or you are whitening them with an at-home whitening solution, it’s important to understand that whitening your teeth is a process. Although it would be wonderful to simply wave your wand and all of a sudden have instantly whiter teeth, the process can sometimes take weeks. When you are in the process of whitening your teeth, try to get the best out of your whitening solution by avoiding the following three things.

Red Wine
If you are like most people then you may enjoy having an occasional glass of red wine with dinner or dessert. And although red wine comes with many health benefits— such as antioxidants— it also can cause your teeth to become stained or tinted. Rather than reaching for that glass of red wine, consider going for either a glass of white wine or a non-alcoholic drink altogether.
Coffee
Another thing to consider avoiding when you are in the process of whitening your teeth is coffee. Although coffee is filled with a large amount of caffeine that will help you get through your morning or day, it can also yellow your teeth in a matter of minutes— especially if you drink your coffee black. If you have to drink at least one cup of coffee a day in order to get through the day, make sure that you are drinking a little bit of water after every sip— this will help to break down the acidity in the coffee.
Tomatoes
Tomatoes are a great addition to virtually any kind of meal: Italian, Mexican, or American. However, did you know that tomatoes can actually stain your teeth as well? High in acidity, the juice in your tomatoes can cling to your pearly whites and cause them to look a little more dingy and less white than you want. Rather than ordering a salad with tomatoes or indulging in spaghetti with marinara sauce, consider looking for an alternative instead.

If you are in the process of whitening your teeth, then it’s important that you put in some additional work in order to keep them as white as possible. By avoiding the above three things, you can help to ensure that your teeth get the whitening love that they deserve. To learn more, contact Dr. Janice Scott’s office today!

The Truth Behind Whitening Strips

By Jude Macapobre on August 30, 2015 in Teeth Whitening

Commercials of models donning pearly whites while going about their morning whitening routine can make just about anybody feel motivated to run to the grocery store to buy the whitening strips being advertised. However, will the whitening strips actually make you look like a model and have whiter teeth?

Will They Make My Teeth Whiter?

Depending on the severity of your teeth stains, whitening strips can help to make your teeth whiter. Designed to simply rid your teeth of surface stains do to food and drinks like black tea and coffee, whitening strips can help your teeth have a whiter appearance in a small amount of time. However if your teeth are tinted a grayish hue because of medication like tytracycline, whitening strips will not do the trick, and in fact dental treatments like laser whitening or bleaching also might not be able to give you a whiter smile.

Will it last?

The answer to this question is an unfortunate “probably not.” Because they’re predominatly designed to help diminish any surface stains on your teeth, you will have to keep up with the whitening strips on a monthly or every-other-month basis. However, if your teeth stains aren’t very bad, it might be worth it to you to add whitening strips to your oral routine.

Are they bad for my teeth?

Although they can cause some tooth sensitivity, the amount of peroxide found in whitening strips is minimal enough that it won’t damage your teeth. However, if you are using a higher concentration form of whitening strips ( 24 hour kits) then it’s especially important to follow the instructions and avoid doing them too frequently, because it can cause further tooth sensitivity.

The bottom line? Whitening strips are only good if you have surface stains that aren’t very bad. However, if your teeth need a little more love and affection, it’s time to visit a dental office and ask about professional teeth whitening.

In order to learn more or to schedule an appointment, contact our office today!

Are You Ready for Professional Teeth Whitening?

By Jude Macapobre on April 30, 2015 in Teeth Whitening

What is Teeth Whitening?

Teeth whitening is a fantastic option to brighten your smile. You may have tried store bought whitening toothpaste or teeth whitening kits. Perhaps you even had some degree of success with less expensive options. But professional teeth whitening systems are by far the most effective method to achieve your whitest teeth yet.

There are three programs to whiten your teeth:

At-home custom tray system
In-office system (1½-hour sessions)
At-home and in-office system combination

With your dentist, you can decide which course would best fit your schedule and desired results. As soon as you’re ready for professional treatments, you’ll experience a variety of benefits:
Strong whitening solution – While over-the-counter programs contain 10% to 20% of the active bleaching ingredient, professional programs range from 15% to 40% bleach. Your dentist will decide the concentration that will be best for your teeth.

Alternatives to in-office Whitening Treatments

Custom trays for at-home program – When you choose an at-home program through your dentist, the whitening trays will be fitted to your teeth for maximum exposure. Over-the-counter programs are generically shaped to accommodate a wide range of teeth. Standard trays can also expose your gums to the whitening gel and irritate them.

Added protection – Your dentist will use a protective shield during in-office programs to block the whitening gel from exposure to your gums and mouth interior. If you choose whitening treatment from your dentist, your mouth will be much happier.

Supervised process (both in-office and at-home) – Much like professional teeth whitening trays, your entire experience will be catered to your specific needs. Your dentist can take into account your most recent oral exam, your dental health history, and your desired results. Depending on the severity of your discoloration, your dentist can help you determine bleach levels and number of treatments needed to completely whiten your teeth.

We can provide thorough insight to the teeth whitening process. It’s what we’re trained to do! Our ultimate goal is to provide you with the teeth you want. White, bright, and beautiful… always!

4 Natural Ways to Keep Your Teeth Pearly White

By Jude Macapobre on April 15, 2015 in Dental Care, Teeth Whitening

It doesn’t matter why your teeth are yellow or stained. Chances are you want them to be whiter. But what if you don’t have the money to pay for an expensive dentist treatment or a long-lasting store-bought method? Or what if you don’t feel comfortable putting all those extra chemicals into your mouth of all places?

If this sounds like you, here are 4 natural teeth whitening solutions you might want to look into.

Charcoal
It may seem counter-intuitive at first. After all, charcoal is black. Won’t that rub off onto your teeth? Actually, the charcoal is actually just abrasive enough to remove plaque and yellow stains from your teeth.

Rub the charcoal onto your teeth for about a minute, being careful to not touch your gums. Then follow up with a normal brushing session. If you do this often, you will start to notice that your teeth look whiter.

Baking Soda/Hydrogen Peroxide
Many store-bought toothpastes use baking soda as a whitener. You can add some to your toothpaste to do the same thing! If you mix baking soda with hydrogen peroxide, you can make your own whitening toothpaste. Just be careful that the substance you end up using isn’t too gritty, as that can damage your teeth. You want to whiten them, not erode them!

Fruit
Many fruits, especially citrus, can help make your teeth brighter too. There are a few different methods you can use. First, take the peel of an orange or lemon and rub the inside on your teeth. However, if you choose this way, make sure to brush after, as the acid can cause damage to your teeth if left on. You will also need to use it every time you brush your teeth for at least a week, as it takes a while to work.

If citrus isn’t your thing, try mashing strawberries and leaving that paste on your teeth for a few minutes. Again, make sure to brush afterwards!

Oil Pulling
Although it’s effectiveness is often questioned, oil pulling is a new trend in the natural dental world. However, even though the trend is new, the method is old. Basically, you take a spoonful of coconut oil and swish it around in your mouth for 10-15 minutes before you brush your teeth.

Try out some of these methods, but remember to always keep brushing, flossing, and visiting your dentist, no matter what whitening routine you apply in your life!

Why Teeth Whitening Should Only be Performed at the Dentist

By Jude Macapobre on February 28, 2015 in Teeth Whitening

Unqualified Whitening is a Health Hazard
Teeth whitening has become increasingly popular in recent years. Bright teeth and a white smile can be achieved for a relatively low cost and simple procedure. However, people are putting their oral health at risk, unknowingly, by having their teeth whitened by unlicensed professionals.

While your esthetician may claim to be qualified in teeth whitening, the procedure is actually banned from being performed outside of a dentist’s office in most states. This is because tooth sensitivity can arise from teeth whitening, a condition which a dentist is better able to treat. Estheticians have not undergone the lengthy dental training involved, and are not aware of the precautionary measures which need to be taken to protect your mouth from harmful chemicals.

The legality of teeth whitening by estheticians in many states is questionable, and brings about questions relating to the validity of their insurance. This could pose a problem for you if you have any problems following a teeth whitening at the estheticians office.

There are several options available for at-home teeth whitening, such as whitening strips. This is something you may be tempted to try due to the low cost involved. At home whitening products, if bought from a reputable retailer, are very safe. However, they contain a much lower concentration of chemicals and will not be able to dramatically change the color of your teeth. You may be able to achieve a gradual whitening of the teeth if you use at home products over a sustained period of time.

Teeth Whitening at the Dentist Gives the Best Results
The bleach concentration used by dentists is generally stronger than what you find elsewhere because they are able to safely monitor the procedure. This results in a more noticeable color change and a brighter smile.

The dentist performing your teeth whitening will protect your gums and the rest of your mouth with a gel before applying the bleach mix. Using a reputable dentist such as those at Deer Park Dental will be the safest option for teeth whitening.

Ongoing care provided by dentists will give you the safest and best results for your teeth.

Pros and Cons of Teeth Whitening
Teeth whitening can boost confidence if you are not happy the color of your teeth. It is safe when carried out by a dentist, gives quick results and is relatively cost effective.

One drawback of teeth whitening is that it is not permanent. This can be managed with regular trips to your dentist. You may experience tooth sensitivity from the bleach solution, however this is temporary and subsides once the treatment is complete.

To benefit from safe and effective teeth whitening, connect with us at Deer Park Dental via our online contact form.

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