Affordable Teeth Whitening

Affordable Teeth Whitening

Discoloration of the teeth happens for a couple of reasons. Things, like smoking, drinking red wine, tea, cokes, and coffee, and taking certain medications as well, can cause your teeth to look dingier and lose their brightness. If you have staining of your teeth, whitening may be a great option for you to restore your bright smile! Are you happy with the color of your teeth? If not, you may be interested in the many different whitening options that are offered at Sweet Water Dentistry in Fairhope, AL! Here at Sweet Water, we have 3 different whitening options to choose from.

Whitening Options

  1. The first option we offer is called KoR Whitening. This option is a take-home solution in which you will need to come into the office and get fitted for custom trays. Once your trays are made, you will receive a take-home whitening solution and once you finish the solution, you will return to the Sweet Water dental office to receive a final in-house whitening treatment with the hygienist. KoR Whitening is the best, most effective whitening option available, especially for deep staining of teeth.
  2. Another whitening option we offer is Venus Whitening. With Venus, you will also need to come to the Sweet Water dental office and be fitted for custom whitening trays. You will receive a whitening solution that you will use for two weeks to achieve the shade that you are after.
  3. The final whitening method that we offer is called Opalescence Go. This comes with 10 trays that are preloaded with a whitening solution. You will wear these trays for 15 minutes each day until you have completed all 10.

 

If you are interested in whitening your teeth and would like more information on the different whitening methods offered at Sweet Water Dentistry in Fairhope, AL, please contact us at 251-210-2773.

Affordable Teeth Whitening

Affordable Teeth Whitening

Are you unhappy with the color of your teeth? Do you wish that your teeth were more white? If so, you may be interested in affordable whitening offered at Sweet Water Dentistry in Fairhope, AL!

Why Teeth Stain or Yellow

There are several common reasons that people get stained or yellow teeth. If you drink a lot of coffee, tea, red wine, smoke cigarettes, and even some foods, doing this may stain your teeth, causing a yellow/brown tint to the enamel. 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. Depending on how deeply your teeth are stained, we offer a few different options for whitening your teeth so that you can be proud to show off a whiter, brighter smile!

We offer Opalescence Go trays, Kor Whitening, and Venus whitening.
Whitening times and outcomes will depend on the depth of each individual’s staining.

Opalescence Go Whitening

The Opalescence Go whitening trays are the most affordable whitening we offer. With the Opalescence Go trays, you will receive 10 upper and lower, pre-loaded whitening trays. These trays will need to be worn for 15 minutes, once a day. You will need to brush your teeth immediately after removing them because the whitening gel will still be on your teeth. These trays cost only $99!

Kor Whitening

We also offer KoR Whitening. This is the best type of whitening that we have 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. The Kor Whitening cost is $600.

Venus Whitening

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. This process takes 2 weeks.

If you have any questions about whitening your teeth, please contact our office at 251-210-2773. Thank you!

What is a Dental Debridement?

Your body will always naturally produce plaque. It’s the soft sticky substance that coats your teeth. If the plaque doesn’t get cleaned off and is allowed to build up along the teeth, it will then become tartar. Tartar is a hard substance and much harder to remove. During your dental check-ups, these substances usually are addressed, and you leave the dental visit with completely clean teeth.   

If you happen to miss several checkups, the plaque and tartar can become severe and stubborn. This will most likely make your dentist use a technique called debridement before your usual check-up. If this is suggested to you, no worries! It is absolutely necessary for your oral health and this procedure can put you back on the road to a healthy mouth!   

 

How Is a Debridement Different From Other Cleanings? 

gum Debridement

Imagine an archaeologist working on your teeth, exposing an artifact. Before they are able to examine the piece, they have to uncover it and clean every crevice. They have to do more than simply brush away the coating. They even use special tools to uncover the artifact. This is similar to how your dentist debrides.   

Periodontal debridement is a specialized procedure designed to remove tartar deposits and periodontal pathogens that can cause inflammation and contribute to gum disease. 

In some cases, the dental hygienist will perform the debridement procedure on a quadrant or half of the mouth to make the procedure more comfortable or easier for the person.  

A simple cleaning by your dental hygienist is enough to prep the teeth for a routine check-up. But if your teeth haven’t been professionally cleaned and plaque and tartar have built up, it will obstruct the view the dentist needs. The hygienist will remove the tartar and plaque with an ultrasonic device and scaling tools. This appointment will be longer and usually isn’t included in the cost of your regular dental appointment.   

If you are looking for superior gum debridement in Fairhope, AL you’ve come to the right place. Contact our office today to schedule an appointment. 

Causes of Tooth Sensitivity

If you have ever taken a swig of ice-cold water or soda and your teeth start to hurt, you are dealing with teeth sensitivity. While it is painful, it is treatable!   

Tooth sensitivity can be a temporary or chronic problem. If you only experience it occasionally, it is most likely due to something you have eaten or drank. However, if you find that your teeth are sensitive all the time, it could be a sign of a more serious issue and you should see your dentist. 

Here are a few reasons you may be suffering from tooth sensitivity:  

1. 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 appeared after a dental procedure and doesn’t go away, this may be a sign of an infection.  

2. Your tooth has a crack  

Having a chipped or cracked tooth might produce discomfort that goes beyond sensitivity. Your dentist can examine your teeth and recommend the best course of action, such as a cap or extraction.  

3. You are brushing too hard  

Brushing your teeth with too much pressure could be wearing away the enamel. This will expose the inner layers of your teeth and cause them to become sensitive. Use a softer toothbrush and pay attention to how hard you are pressing while you brush. You should also switch to toothpaste made for sensitive teeth. 

Sensitive Teeth

4. You have gum disease  

Gum disease is an infection of the gums that can lead to tooth loss. If you have gum disease, you may notice your gums are red, swollen, and bleed easily. You might also have bad breath. Gum disease is caused by plaque, so be sure to brush and floss regularly. 

5. You have teeth grinding  

Teeth grinding (bruxism) is a condition that can occur during the day or at night. If you grind your teeth, you may not be aware of it because it happens while you are sleeping. Grinding teeth can lead to cracked teeth and sensitivity. If you think you might be grinding your teeth, ask your dentist for a mouthguard. 

6. Erosion of Tooth Enamel 

The most common is the erosion of the tooth enamel, which is the hard, outer layer of the teeth. Enamel can be worn away by acidic foods and drinks, brushing too hard, or grinding your teeth. Other causes include gum disease, cavities, cracked teeth, and exposed roots. 

Again, tooth sensitivity is treatable. One of the best treatments is using toothpaste that is 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 decide the most likely because of your tooth sensitivity and your dentist can work with you to find the best solution for your situation.

No matter the cause of your tooth sensitivity, the first step in treating it is to consult your dentist. We can help you get to the bottom of what’s causing your sensitivity and come up with a treatment plan that works for you. Give us a call today to schedule an appointment. 

Are You Brushing Your Teeth Too Hard?

If your teeth are sensitive, you may be brushing too hard or using the wrong toothbrush. When it comes to brushing your teeth, the proper technique should be practiced. If you brush your teeth too hard or use the wrong toothbrush for your mouth, it can damage your teeth and gums, leading to receding gums and enamel wear.  Sometimes people feel the need to brush aggressively, thinking that is the only way they can get their teeth to feel clean and look white.

Doing this is counterproductive. It causes the gums to recede, but also wears away the white glossy enamel on the teeth and then they look yellow and darker. If this happens, you are at risk of developing sensitive teeth. 

If you are unsure if you are brushing too hard, look at your toothbrush.  If you have been using it for three months or less, it should still appear relatively new.  If it is flat and beat up, that is a sign you are brushing way too hard.  

Brushing Your Teeth The Right Way

Changing your hard-brushing ways can be difficult, but it is possible.  Follow these simple tips to help brush properly.  

Use A Soft Bristled Toothbrush

Find one with the ADA seal, and replace it every three months or sooner if signs of fraying at present. Foley Best Family Dentist AL 

45-Degree Angle. 

Keep your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to your gums. The bristles will reach and clean underneath your gumline. Gently move the brush back and forth using short, tooth-wide strokes.  Clean the outer, inner, and chewing surfaces.  If you use an electric toothbrush, let it do the work. Just lightly glide it all over your teeth instead of pushing it against them. For a gentle grip, swap to your non-dominant hand. Foley Best Family Dentist AL 

The ADA-Approved Way of Brushing Your Teeth