Tooth Whitening Archives - Smile Great by Jacqui Jacksonville DMD

How Does Teeth Whitening Work? Is It Safe For…

August 30, 2019
by Jacqueline

A bright white smile can leave you feeling a lot more confident. If your teeth are yellower than you would like them to be, you might be curious about some of the whitening methods out there. However, you probably have a few questions you’ll want answers to before you start whitening your teeth. How does teeth whitening work? Is it safe, or will it damage your teeth?

If you take the time to learn more about the various methods of teeth whitening — and some of the risks associated with it — you’ll be able to find your best path to a brighter smile.

There Are All Kinds Of Whitening Products On The Market

From bleach strips to whitening kits, there are all kinds of over-the-counter whitening products available. These products often use strong ingredients like hydrogen peroxide to lighten teeth. However, one of the ingredients most commonly used in professional whitening treatments, carbamide peroxide, is absent from over-the-counter options.

The quality of these products varies wildly, which is why it’s best to read reviews before purchasing any product. It’s also wise to look for products that have the American Dental Association’s Seal of Acceptance. These products have been evaluated by professionals and are safer for your teeth.

The Risks Of Teeth Whitening

There are a number of risks associated with teeth whitening, and it’s important to be aware of these pitfalls before applying any products to your teeth. One of the most common side effects people experience after whitening their teeth is increased sensitivity. This may make it difficult to eat hot or cold foods.

Another common risk is gum irritation. While whitening products are designed to be applied to the teeth, they aren’t designed to be safely applied to the gums. It’s easy to slip up and place some products on your gum, which can cause pain, discomfort, and even lesions.

It’s particularly dangerous to use these kinds of products if you have serious dental issues. If you haven’t seen a dentist in a long time, you’ll want to do that before trying any sort of whitening.

There Are Plenty Of Natural Ways To Whiten Your Teeth

If you’re apprehensive about harsh whitening kits, you should know that there are a lot of natural teeth whitening methods. While the success of these methods varies from one person to the next, they’re a low-risk option you should absolutely try out.

From brushing your teeth with baking soda to oil pulling, there are so many simple and effective ways to make your teeth look a little bit whiter. There are even fruits, like strawberries, that have naturally whitening capabilities. Take a look in your cupboards and see if there are any products you can use to whiter teeth.

Try A Different Toothpaste

One of the most important ways of achieving and maintaining a white and healthy smile is to brush and floss your teeth daily. If you use a toothpaste that was designed with whitening in mind, you should see some impressive results.

Toothpaste with baking soda is a safe bet if you’re hoping to lighten your teeth. In recent years, charcoal toothpaste has been getting a lot of positive attention. The toothpaste is black, which makes it a little strange to use, but it’s a fantastic way to whiten your smile without harming your teeth or your gums.

It’s Best To Talk To A Dentist About Teeth Whitening

If you want a brighter smile, but have concerns about harming your teeth and gums, speaking with your dentist is the best option. It’s becoming increasingly common for dentists to offer whitening treatments in the office. Professional whitening yields more dramatic results, and you can trust your dentist to take precautions to keep your teeth safe.

This doesn’t mean that you have to avoid at-home whitening treatments. If you get a clean bill of health from your dentist, you should be able to whiten your teeth with minimal issues. With that said, speaking with your dentist can give you essential information that will help you decide what to do next.

Don’t be afraid to ask a few questions before you start whitening your teeth. Even if a healthy-looking smile is your goal, you’ll want to make sure you don’t do anything that will damage your teeth or gums.

Dental Work

How Your Smile Can Affect Your Career

September 1, 2017August 30, 2019
by Jacqueline

Your appearance, the way you speak and your body language are all taken into account when you first meet a person to create a lasting impression. Few other instances are as important as making a great first impression than when you are going for a job interview.

One of the most important factors that interviewees often neglect to take into account is their ability to smile. A smile does not just reflect that you are happy but expresses self-confidence and competence. How you smile, when you smile and what your smile says about you can mean the difference between getting that dream job and not being considered as a viable candidate.

But in order to smile, you first need the confidence to do so. Most people fail to smile because they have dental or oral hygiene problems. Bad breath, cavities, discolored or missing teeth can all contribute to a lack of confidence to smile. Never mind the nerves that go along with presenting yourself at what could be a career altering interview.

These factors can also negatively impact that first impression. Bad oral and dental hygiene speaks to a lack of personal care, attention to detail and even a lack of education or class. All of these can be disadvantageous in an interview setting.

In order to ensure that you have the confidence to smile and present yourself in the best light possible, there are some steps you can take:

1. Dental Visits

It is important to visit the dentist at least every year (six months if possible). This consultation will help detect any problems early on and ensure that they are dealt with. It is also advisable to see an oral hygienist at this time to have your teeth professionally cleaned. This is a great way to avoid dental issues such as tooth discoloration and wear and tear on the enamel that covers the teeth and prevent other oral health issues.

2. Teeth Whitening

Teeth whitening is not just for those who have existing discoloration of the teeth but can turn your existing smile brighter for a greater impact. There are different types of teeth whitening procedures available but it is recommended to have this professionally done in a dentist’s rooms rather than opting for home whitening kits.

To correct discoloration, be aware that more than one session may be required to even out the tone and restore the teeth to their former coloration. It is not recommended to overdo your tooth whitening to the extent that your smile appears unnatural. Keep in mind that the natural tooth color is off-white and a smile that is too bright can be misleading, presenting you as fake or even vain.

3. Fillings

It is recommended to have all cavities filled as soon as possible in order to prevent the teeth from deteriorating further as well as to improve your smile. Stay away from gold or other colored fillings as these can provide the wrong impression, especially on your front teeth. Rather opt for white fillings that compliment the natural color of your teeth.

Keep in mind that when you have a teeth whitening treatment, it will not have the same effect on the filled area. Teeth that have not been filled can be oversensitive and make this procedure extremely painful.

4. Cracked, Broken And Missing Teeth

There are a wide range of dental procedures available to restore cracked, broken or missing teeth. Porcelain veneers are the most effective and popular choice as they provide the most natural look for cracked and broken teeth. Dental crowns are also effective at restoring broken teeth.

Bridges are most commonly used to replace 1 or even 2 missing teeth. Where more teeth are missing, dental implants may be recommended. Alternatively, full or partial dentures may be the best route available to create the appearance that no teeth are missing or damaged.

If you are concerned that your smile is not representing you in the best light, make an appointment with a dentist today to discuss the different options available to you. Make sure that your qualifications, skills, and experience are the factors that are taken into account in acing that all important job interview and not just your appearance.

Smiles

Super Simple Tips To Keep Your Teeth White

September 1, 2017September 2, 2017
by Jacqueline

Check out this video on some really simple teeth whitening tips.

Why are you living with discolored teeth?

Like really, why?

Check this video out and learn some amazing secrets to brighter..whiter..radiant teeth!

Dentist

4 Natural Ways to Whiten and Brighten Teeth

September 1, 2017August 30, 2019
by Jacqueline

The look of confidence a bright, white smile gives is something that everyone wants. Teeth tend to become discolored over time, but there are many things you can do to restore whiteness. If you are not ready to undergo a dentist’s treatment using sophisticated bleaching products, you can still get your bright smile back with less expensive, natural whiteners.

Causes of Tooth Discoloration

Tooth enamel can become discolored due to constant exposure to things like coffee, tea, colas, red wine or tobacco. One way to start undoing any damage caused by these things is to eliminate them altogether. There are other ways that teeth can get yellow or stained and these include illness, injury or aging.

Excess exposure to fluoride at a young age can often lead to yellowing teeth later on. Some antibiotics and other medicines have caused people to experience dulling tooth enamel.

Finally, some tooth discoloration is genetic. This means that if anyone in your family before you experienced yellowing of the teeth it could happen to you. This does not mean you cannot brighten your smile if you have a genetic tooth discoloration. You can.

There is a misconception that yellow or discolored teeth are due to poor dental hygiene. Of course, if you neglect brushing and flossing your teeth they will suffer for it. If you skip regular dental checkups and cleaning, your smile cannot be as white as possible. However, it is not just poor dental hygiene that causes tooth yellowing.

No matter what is causing your tooth enamel to dull, you can do several things about it. There are many natural products that you can use to whiten teeth. These work just as effectively as over-the-counter whiteners but do not contain any harsh chemicals.

4 Natural Products to Try

The four products you want to choose from include baking soda and hydrogen peroxide, apple cider vinegar, activated charcoal and coconut oil. These are all easy to obtain at any food, drug or health food store.

To get whiter teeth using baking soda and hydrogen peroxide, you can either make a toothpaste with them or use them separately as a paste and a mouth rinse. Take some baking soda and mix the hydrogen peroxide with it to create a tooth paste. You only need to mix enough to fit on the head of your toothbrush.

Brush your teeth with this homemade paste for about 30 seconds and then rinse well with water. Be careful not to brush too hard. The baking soda is extremely abrasive and it can cause damage to tooth enamel. The good news about the abrasiveness of baking soda is that not only will it help remove stains, it also gets rid of plaque, a primary cause of cavities and tooth decay.

You can also try rinsing your mouth for a minute every morning with hydrogen peroxide. It can work on its own to remove stains. Or, try brushing your teeth with baking soda alone. It will also help restore whiteness. You only want to use it a few times a week until you get the whiteness you desire.

Apple cider vinegar is another good natural substance to use to whiten teeth. Swish some around your mouth for about a minute and do this every day for about a month to get white teeth. The acid in the vinegar helps break down plaque and it kills bacteria. This is how it helps make teeth brighter. Always brush teeth with regular toothpaste and rinse thoroughly after using it because of how acidic it is.

Activated charcoal should be mixed with some water and then brush or dab it onto the teeth to cover them. Wait three minutes and then rinse. Charcoal can lift stains from coffee or wine but it should only be used occasionally because it is very abrasive.

Coconut oil pulling is another natural whitener. After brushing teeth, swish the oil around your mouth for up to 20 minutes. Your mouth and gums will become healthier as the coconut oil is naturally antimicrobial.

To get whiter teeth without the chemicals or the cost of dental treatments – try out one of these methods for yourself.

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Category: Tooth Whitening

How Does Teeth Whitening Work? Is It Safe For…

How Your Smile Can Affect Your Career

Super Simple Tips To Keep Your Teeth White

4 Natural Ways to Whiten and Brighten Teeth