Jun 2, 2023 | General Dentistry, Teeth Whitening
All You Need to Know About Teeth Whitening
Tooth whitening is a dental procedure that falls under cosmetic dentistry. This procedure is actually one of the most commonly performed cosmetic dental procedures and most dentists will achieve this. Before you have this procedure, you need to know more about it and when it should be used.
What Is Tooth Whitening?
As the name suggests, tooth whitening is the process of lightening the teeth and removing any discoloration or stains. Whitening is not generally a one-time procedure, although many people assume it is. To maintain the brighter color of your teeth, you will need to have the procedure completed from time to time. The exact number of procedures you will need should be discussed with your dentist.
When Teeth Whitening Is Recommended
Before you look at teeth whitening, you should consider when you need it and how it helps you. The first step is understanding how the color of your teeth can be changed. The top layer of the tooth is called the enamel and the color of your teeth is created by the reflection of light on the enamel. The thickness and smoothness of the enamel will often be affected by genetics with thinner enamel showing more of the dentin found below it.
Every day, your enamel is covered by a thin coating or pellicle which picks up stains. The enamel has pores that will hold the stains picked up throughout the day. The most common stains come from tobacco, dark-colored drinks such as tea and red wine as well as not taking good care of your teeth.
Tooth whitening can be used to remove the stains that are held by the enamel which is called extrinsic stains. It is important to understand this because teeth whitening cannot be used for intrinsic stains. These are stains that are within the tooth and can be caused by a number of different situations such as exposure to too much fluoride as a child.
It is also important to note that the success of tooth whitening cannot be guaranteed as many other dental issues can affect this. If you have cavities, they will need to be treated before any whitening is done. This is due to the fact that the whitening solution may pass through the cavity and enter the inner parts of your tooth. Additionally, if you have receding gums, the exposed roots of the teeth cannot be whitened as the solution will not affect them.
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Jun 2, 2023 | Dental FAQs, General Dentistry, Teeth Cleaning, Teeth Whitening
Teeth Whitening Dentist Near Me
Dealing with Sensitivity after Teeth Whitening
If you are looking to rid your teeth of stains and discoloration, the best option usually is to whiten the teeth. There are several options available and can be done at home or in-office at your dentist. The problem is, according to Reader’s Digest, 78% of people have tooth sensitivity after undergoing external tooth bleaching using the traditional carbamide peroxide.
To Bleach or Not to Bleach
As far as options go, there are many to choose from; gels, bleaching strips, whitening toothpaste, and even mouth rinses. Tooth whitening can be achieved in 2 ways, according to the ADA; using bleaching products and non-bleaching products. The teeth can be bleached with a product that changes the natural color of the teeth. A lot of these products contain carbamide peroxide. It works to remove stains that are both deep and on the surface. Non-bleaching products contain ingredients that only work to remove surface stains.
Sensitivity can happen during and after using peroxide-based bleaching agents. Having sensitive teeth means having enhanced responses to hot and cold drinks, aggressive toothbrushing, or sweet foods. It comes in with a short, sharp pain. Alabama Teeth Whitening Dentist Near Me Fairhope Usually this sensation happens during the early stages of bleaching when the hydrogen peroxide soaks through the enamel.
Products like whitening toothpaste usually cause less sensitivity because it only treats the teeth’s surface. Everyone is different, so a person can experience a different result with the same product. Usually, gels that are used in bleaching trays, as well as some over-the-counter bleaching products, have a greater potential for causing sensitivity after whitening. Alabama Teeth Whitening Dentist Near Me Fairhope
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Jun 2, 2023 | Dental FAQs, General Dentistry, Teeth Whitening
Teeth Whitening Dentist in Fairhope
Causes of Tooth Sensitivity
If you have ever taken a swig of ice-cold water or soda and your teeth started to hurt, you are dealing with teeth sensitivity. While it is painful, it is treatable! Here are a few reasons you may be suffering from sensitivity:
- You’ve undergone a dental procedure
If you have had a root canal, tooth extraction, or crown placement, it will be common to feel some sensitivity. If the symptoms linger, you may need to schedule another visit to your dentist. If the sensitivity appears after a dental procedure and doesn’t go away, this may be a sign of an infection.
- Your tooth has a crack
Having a chipped or cracked tooth can cause pain that goes beyond just sensitivity. Your dentist can evaluate your tooth and decide what the best course of treatment is, like a cap or extraction. Alabama Teeth Whitening Dentist Near Me Daphne
- Decay around edges of fillings
Our fillings can weaken and fracture or even leak around the edges as we age. This makes it easy for bacteria to accumulate in the small crevices, causing acid buildup and the enamel to break down. Don’t wait to see your dentist if you notice this type of sensitivity. If caught in time, most fillings can be easily replaced.
Again, tooth sensitivity is treatable. One of the best treatments is using toothpaste specifically made for sensitive teeth. If your sensitivity is extreme and persists no matter what steps you have taken to heal your teeth, take a trip to your dentist. An office visit can help determine the most likely cause of your tooth sensitivity and your dentist can work with you to find the best solution for your situation. Alabama Teeth Whitening Dentist Near Me Daphne
Down by the Bay
May 11, 2023 | Dental FAQs, General Dentistry, Teeth Whitening
Teeth Whitening Dentist in Fairhope
Tongue Issues
When the tongue is not in good shape, it makes tasks like speech and chewing difficult. Most tongue problems can be avoided or controlled with dental hygiene, but there are some problems that may need medical treatment to help resolve them.
The tongue is a complex organ of the body and it can develop a range of different conditions. Some of these problems are:
Glossitis
Also known as a “swollen tongue” can happen because of an allergic reaction to oral care products, medication, food, or even anxiety. There is also a possibility for more ominous causes like acromegaly, amyloidosis, myxedema, or Prader-Willi Syndrome.
Tongue Pain
Discomfort can happen because of blisters, canker sores, injury, leukoplakia, diabetic neuropathy, or mouth ulcers.
Coated Tongue
This can happen because of oral hairy leukoplakia, poor hygiene, drinking too much coffee or tea, or tobacco use. Having any of these issues can lead to difficulty with basic functions.
Tongue-Related Problems Alabama Teeth Whitening Dentist Fairhope
- Difficulty Speaking
Speaking requires the tongue to change positions, depending on what sound is used. The tongue needs to arch to the roof of the mouth for high vowel sounds like the “u” in Blue. Low vowel sounds like the “a” in a cat, requiring the tongue to lie flat in the mouth. If the tongue is swollen or less agile, it can make speaking clearly very difficult.
Tongue pain also can happen if when speaking, it comes into contact with different parts of the inner cheeks and gum tissue. When pain affects the area of the tongue that touches those areas, it can make delivering a clear sound, hard. Teeth Whitening Dentist in Fairhope.
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Apr 12, 2023 | Cosmetic Dentistry, Dental FAQs, General Dentistry, Teeth Cleaning, Teeth Whitening
Affordable Teeth Whitening Fairhope AL
Teeth Whitening Methods We Offer
Teeth whitening is a process that removes stains and turns yellow teeth back to white. It is one of the most popular cosmetic dental procedures because of how it can improve your overall look. Whitening sometimes must be repeated in order to maintain a particularly bright color. If you are interested in whitening your teeth, visit Dr. Phillip Greer of Sweet Water Dentistry to get more information.
The outer layer of a tooth is the enamel. The natural color of teeth is created by the scattering and reflection of light from the enamel along with the color of dentin beneath it. We have several different whitening options at Sweet Water Dentistry.
The first is called KOR. This is the best type of whitening available. If you choose this option you will need to come to our Fairhope, AL office to get fitted for custom whitening tooth trays. You must use these whitening trays for two weeks. After this time, you will come to our office once again. This time, you will get an additional whitening process done by your dental hygienist.
Along with KOR, we have another option for whitening called Venus. This process also requires that you get fitted with mouth trays. You take these trays home and complete the process of whitening your teeth at home. A third whitening option we have is Opalescence Go. The process gives you 10 pre-loaded whitening trays. You simply wear each for 15 minutes a day to get the results you are after.
There are several common reasons that people get stained or yellow teeth. These include:
Tobacco Use
Drinking dark liquids like coffee, cola, tea, or red wine
Failure to take care of your teeth
Other reasons can include aging. This makes teeth dull as the dentin becomes darker and the enamel thinner. Tooth whitener works well on surface stains, but it does not work on porcelain crowns or veneers. If you choose to do at-home tooth whitening always read and follow the instructions.
Apr 12, 2023 | Cosmetic Dentistry, Dental FAQs, General Dentistry, Teeth Cleaning, Teeth Whitening
Affordable Teeth Whitening Fairhope, Alabama
Are you unhappy with the color of your teeth? Do you want to whiten your teeth so that you can be proud to show off your smile? If you answered yes, you’ve stumbled across the best place possible! Dr. Phillip Greer at Sweet Water Dentistry offers 4 different whitening options that are sure to satisfy your whitening needs. The first thing you should know is how whitening works! Over time, your teeth get stained from red wine, sodas, smoking, teas, etc. Certain medications can also affect the color of your teeth! Simply brushing your teeth doesn’t always do the trick, and you need something stronger to help bring out the white in your smile!
Dr. Greer at Sweet Water Dentistry offers 4 types of whitening. Visit our website for more information about us and the services we offer! The first and most affordable type of whitening we offer is called Opalescence GO! This is a take-home kit containing 20 trays total: 10 upper and 10 lower pre-loaded whitening trays. These trays fit each patient’s individual arch by the heat of the mouth, so there is no need for custom trays. The GO trays are to be worn for 10 days for 15 minutes daily.
The second whitening option is Venus Whitening. With Venus, it is also a take-home solution, and you will need to have impressions done so that we can make custom trays for you. Venus comes in a syringe and is placed in your custom tray daily to achieve the white you desire.
The final options for whitening are GLO. With GLO, you will receive a neat whitening tray that comes with a light. You place the solution on your teeth, then place the light on your teeth which reacts with the solution to brighten your teeth. You can get this whitening done in-house or use the take-home device. The in-office whitening is a stronger, more immediate solution. The take-home solution just takes a little longer, but is just as strong! Contact us today at Sweet Water Dentistry for your whitening needs!
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