Four Teeth Whitening Techniques You Should Consider

In recent cosmetic dentistry industry surveys, findings showed that teeth whitening was the most popular performed dental care treatment in most dental offices. However, with so many options out there, you want to ensure you’re choosing the best and safest product. Knowing the answers to these questions will help you decide which option is most suitable for you.

According to the Canadian Dental Association, the primary agent to whiten teeth is hydrogen peroxide (H2O2.). The level of hydrogen peroxide used is the primary factor when it comes to determining treatment cost. In-chair whitening at the dentist office will always be the most expensive treatment because it uses the highest levels of hydrogen peroxide which guarantee the best results. However, with the demand growing and patients shying away from the high cost, take home kits have become popular in the marketplace. Take home kits offer the possibility of whiter teeth at a reduced cost and fewer side effects. It also marks an evolutionary step in tooth whitening with the patient taking on the responsibility of performing the procedure at home.

The teeth whitening market has evolved into four categories:

  1. In office whitening systems. Historically, professional whitening procedures were performed in the dental office, typically using concentrated hydrogen peroxide and by isolating surrounding soft tissue to avoid contact with the whitening agent. Although this pretty much guarantees results, drawbacks include: lengthy chair time, higher cost, and the risk of tooth sensitivity.
  2. Dentist prescribed kits for at home use by the patient. Dentist prescribed kits have significantly less peroxide than in-chair whitening but much more peroxide than OTC strips, gels, and toothpastes. This is why they are prescribed with a list of detailed instructions, to ensure you’re achieving optimal results.
  3. Over the counter whitening/take home kits. Consumer whitening products available today for home use include:
    • Gels
    • Rinses
    • Chewing gum
    • Toothpastes: While ordinary whitening toothpastes relied mainly on their efficacy in removing extrinsic tooth stains, the newer generation or “advanced whitening” dentifrices are also claimed to be effective in removing intrinsic stains.
    • Paint-on films: Paint on films normally contain 6-8% hydrogen peroxide and is directly applied to the teeth with a brush. They are used to lighten individual teeth as well as your entire mouth.
    • Whitening strips (introduced in the market in the early 2000’s). Very cost effective (in comparison to in-chair whitening procedures), the results do vary and they only have a shelf life of approximately six months.
  4. Other non-dental options. There are several DIY whitening tips on the market these days. These include rubbing lemon juice, strawberries, and banana peels across your teeth for a whiter smile. Rubbing acids of any kind on your teeth is dangerous and may actually erode your enamel causing more time in the dental chair. Other popular non-dental options include coconut oil pulling and applying activated charcoal on your teeth. According to the American Dental Association, there has been no scientific proof that these two options actually whiten teeth.

Before choosing a teeth-whitening method, it’s also important for you to understand how these products will work. The Canadian Dental Association (CDA) separates whitening into two different methods, surface and bleaching. Bleaching the tooth removes both deep stains and surface stains using products that contain peroxides. Surface bleaching removes only surface stains. Whatever option you choose, it’s always best to ask your dentist first what they recommend and to make sure that it is CDA approved to assure both safety and effectiveness.

What is the Best Age to Get Braces?

You may be considering braces and probably have some questions and concerns of your own about braces. Some of those questions may include how you’re going to pay for them, length of treatment, and what is the best age to get braces. Here’s the lowdown on this aspect of dental care.

Most common reasons why people need braces?

  • Crooked teeth
  • Overlapping
  • Overcrowded teeth
  • Malocclusion (bad bite)
  • Bad persistent habits (i.e. thumb sucking)
  • Genetics (if you or someone in your family needed braces, chances are your child will also)
  • Affected speech
  • Gum disease and tooth loss
  • Jaw problems
  • Teeth grinding
  • Tooth injury
  • Cosmetic appearance

Types of Braces:

Today there are many options to choose from:

  • Traditional Braces: Traditional metal braces are the most common type of braces and are more comfortable today than ever before. Made of high-grade stainless steel, metal braces straighten your teeth using metal brackets and archwires.
  • Ceramic Braces: Ceramic braces are similar to traditional metal braces, but are made of transparent ceramic. The wires can also be transparent to make the braces less noticeable.
  • Lingual Braces: Lingual braces are the pretty much the same as traditional metal braces. The only difference is that the brackets and wires are placed on the inside of the teeth.
  • Clear Aligners: Clear aligners consist of custom-made, mouth guard-like clear plastic aligners. The aligners are removable and are replaced every two to three weeks.

What is the most common age get braces:

There is typically no set age for a child to get braces. Some dentists recommend children start seeing the orthodontist as early as 6. Some kids start when they are 10, and some don’t start seeing an orthodontist until they are in their teens.  Dental professionals recommend to wait either until:

  1. All primary/baby teeth are gone
  2. 12 year molars (aka second molars) are starting to grow in

Here are some risks of putting braces on young children:

Something to keep in mind is that caring for your braces is essential to an effective treatment plan.  This is why it’s sometimes suggested to put early teens in braces as opposed to younger children.

  • It’s so easy for food to get stuck in wired braces, your child will have to take extra care and implement a proper brushing regimen to mitigate the risk of cavities (which can develop in between the brackets). This can be difficult for young children.
  • What child doesn’t like snacks? Foods like popcorn, candy, and gum can all damage braces. It can be easier to enforce better eating habits in young children, but just as difficult to enforce a proper brushing regime.
  • Young children don’t understand the costs associated with braces. This appliance is very expensive (despite the fact you have coverage or not).
  • Young children are less likely to wear the removable retainer after their braces are off, causing the teeth to re-shift back into their original position.

Braces are an important step to giving your child the smile that will give them confidence and high self-esteem. We will help your family start that journey by advising you on what is the best age for braces for your children.

Eight Tips to Maintain Good Oral Health

Oral Health is so important because everyone wants to have a healthy smile! Having poor oral hygiene can lead to a variety of dental and medical problems. Some of these are gum disease, infection, bone loss, heart disease, strokes and more. Here are eight tips that dentists recommend for maintaining or improving your oral health.

Tip #1:  Practice good brushing techniques

According to Colgate when you brush your teeth, you should use short, gentle strokes, paying extra attention to the gum line, hard-to-reach back teeth and areas around fillings, crowns or any other restorative surgery you may have had. Pay close attention to the outer surfaces of your upper and lower teeth, the inner surfaces, the chewing surfaces and your tongue.

Tip #2:  Always remember to floss

When you don’t floss, you’re at risk for two major dental issues in your mouth, gingivitis and cavities between your teeth.  You should floss at least once a day and the best time to do so is right before you go to bed to remove any food and plaque from between the teeth and along the gum line.

Tip #3:  Stay away from tobacco

Not only is smoking linked to lung cancer, it can also create cardio-pulmonary problems, may lead to asthma, and takes a negative toll on your dental health.  By smoking, your mouth becomes a breeding ground for bacteria. Smoking also may give you foul breath, delays the time it takes to heal from oral surgery, causes your teeth to become yellow, and increases your chances of getting oral cancer.

Tip #4:  Reduce pop, coffee and alcohol consumption

Pop, coffee and alcohol can also have ill effects on your smile, potentially leading to cavities and more serious diseases like gingivitis and tooth decay. While moderate alcohol consumption can be part of a healthy lifestyle, alcohol isn’t generally considered healthy for your teeth or body. Beer for example is highly acidic (which wears down your tooth enamel), dark barley (the primary ingredient in most beers) stains your teeth, and the sugars in the pop and some alcoholic beverages encourages plaque and tartar buildup.

Tip #5:  Consume vitamin rich foods that are good for your teeth

When it comes to the health of your teeth, you really are what you eat. Your diet makes a big difference when it comes to a healthy smile. Simple adjustments can be made to your diet such as adding more dark leafy greens like kale and spinach, consuming dairy products and adding more fibrous vegetables. Getting more vitamins and nutrients into your diet will not only stimulate your gums but also build your teeth’s enamel.

Tip #6:  Use a mouthwash in conjunction with brushing and flossing

With a proper regime of brushing and flossing twice daily, mouthwash is the cherry on top that will make your dental health great. Some mouthwashes that contain chlorine dioxide are very helpful because they help to kill bacteria in your mouth. Mouthwash also maintains fresh breath and strong teeth.  In fact, a new study published in a journal by the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) showed that mouthwash might be more effective at reducing both plaque and gingivitis than brushing alone.

Tip #7:  Maintain regular visits with your dentist

You may wonder why the Canadian Dental Association and your dentist recommend you come back every six months. It’s because regular dental visits are essential for the maintenance of healthy teeth and gums. In between those examinations, it’s important that you work to keep your teeth and gums clean and healthy by maintaining a proper oral care regimen (i.e. brushing at least twice daily, flossing, etc).

Tip #8:  Brush your tongue

Brushing your tongue is an important factor in your oral care regime because bacteria buildup on your tongue can spread to your teeth, causing gingivitis, or red, inflamed gums. If it’s not treated, the inflammation can advance to periodontal disease. Think of your tongue as a sponge for bacteria. On average, there are approximately 700 different bacteria species living on your tongue. While not all of these microbes are detrimental to your health, if you allow them to breed, they can cause damage which is much more severe than bad breath.