Teeth Whitening Guide: From Candidacy and Complications to Advantages and Efficacy

May 25, 2018

Filed under: Blog,Cosmetic Dentistry — tntadmin @ 5:34 am

Regular brushing and flossing are everyday ways to keep your teeth healthy and bright but if you still feel that your smile lacks the sparkle, you can opt for professional teeth whitening and bring back your smile’s former charm.

What is Teeth Whitening?

Teeth whitening is a quick and effective technique that safely brightens your smile and boosts your confidence. This cosmetic dentistry procedure efficiently lightens the stains and discoloration caused by coffee, tea, soda, tobacco, certain medications, radiation, chemotherapy, and aging. You can also whiten your teeth at home using over-the-counter teeth whitening treatments but if you are looking for better results that last longer, you can visit a teeth whitening dentist in Goodyear, AZ and know your treatment options.

What Causes Teeth Stains and Discoloration?

Your teeth can go from bright and white to yellow and stained for several reasons. Food and drinks containing intense color pigments are major culprits. Excessive use of tobacco also discolors the tooth enamel, leaving behind stubborn stains. With age, the outer enamel of your teeth turns thinner with brushing, exposing the yellow dentin. Trauma and medications are also known to change the color of your teeth over time.

Who is an Ideal Candidate for Teeth Whitening?

An ideal candidate for professional teeth whitening has healthy teeth and gum tissues without any restorations or fillings. However, teeth whitening is not suitable for pregnant women, lactating mothers, people with dental implants and dental bridges, children who are under 16 years of age, people suffering from cavities, tooth decay, gum disease, sensitivity, and those who are allergic to bleaching agents like carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide.

How Does This Cosmetic Dentistry Procedure Work?

Professional teeth whitening is a simple outpatient cosmetic dentistry procedure that uses bleaching agent to break stains into smaller fragments, making the discoloration less concentrated, leaving your teeth brighter than before. If you want to know more about other teeth whitening alternatives, you can talk to a teeth whitening dentist in Goodyear, AZ and determine which treatment will give you the best results.

What are the Advantages of Professional Teeth Whitening?

If you want to achieve that flawless selfie-worthy smile, you can consider professional teeth whitening treatment and enjoy the following benefits:

  • This cosmetic dentistry procedure confers confidence and makes you look younger naturally by giving you a whiter, brighter smile.
  • It is a quick and painless procedure that gives you great results in the least conservative manner possible.
    The results of professional teeth whitening last longer.
  • Oral health is greatly improved because patients avoid unhealthy foods and beverages during and after the treatment to maintain the results and also take good care of their teeth with regular brushing and flossing.

What are the Different Types of Teeth Whitening Methods?

Be sure to consult the best dentist in Arizona to know if you are a candidate for teeth whitening. If you are, there are 3 main types of teeth whitening treatments available:

  • Professional Teeth WhiteningThis cosmetic dentistry procedure is also called chairside bleaching and is usually completed in just one visit that does not last more than one hour. During the procedure, the dental professional applies a rubber shield or a protective gel to your gums to protect them. The bleaching agent is then applied on to your teeth and is sometimes activated using laser, light or heat.
  • At-Home Teeth Whitening KitsThere are many DIY whitening kits available on the market including strips and paint-on whiteners but their efficacy varies depending on their bleaching content. These at-home kits are relatively cheaper but not recommended as they tend to be acidic and are not always assessed for safety so these products could possibly damage your teeth.
  • Over-the-Counter Teeth Whitening ProductsThere are several teeth whitening toothpastes available on the market and while they may not be able to change the natural color of your teeth, they can remove the stains. But since these toothpastes are abrasive, they tend to wear your teeth enamel with repeated use, leaving them pale and yellow.

Does Teeth Whitening Have Any Side Effects?

A professional teeth whitening procedure is considered much safer because your treatment is custom-tailored for the best results and you have an experienced teeth whitening dentist performing the procedure. Your treatment is being constantly monitored every step of the way to ensure complete safety and efficacy. However, some people may experience minor discomfort and tooth sensitivity following the procedure but, this is a temporary effect of peroxide.

How Long Do the Results of Professional Teeth Whitening Last?

The effects of professional teeth whitening typically last up to 3 years but this varies from patient to patient depending on your oral habits and individual circumstances. The results will also be affected by your intake of tobacco, tea, coffee, cola or red wine.

How to Take Care of Teeth after Professional Teeth Whitening for Long-lasting Results?

If you want your new whiter, brighter smile to last longer, you would need to:

  • Avoid tobacco and cut down on your intake of sugary foods and beverages that are likely to stain your teeth.
  • Drink plenty of water because it helps rinse the stains away from the surface of your enamel.
  • Schedule regular checkups with your nearest dentist in Goodyear, AZ today.

Link Between Bad Oral Health and Alzheimer’s Disease

May 5, 2018

Filed under: Blog,Oral Health — tntadmin @ 1:01 pm

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia that attacks the brain. It causes problems with memory, diminishes mental and cognitive abilities and behavior with enough significance to effect the daily functioning. The symptoms increase progressively with aging over several years, with people generally living eight years after the onset and longer if they are in good health.

Here are some must-know facts about the Alzheimer’s disease:

  • It is the 6th leading cause of death in the United States
  • 1 in 3 senior dies with Alzheimers or other form of dementia.
  • It kills more than breast cancer and prostate cancer combined.
  • Every 65 seconds, someone develops Alzheimer’s disease in the United States.
  • 5.7 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s but the number will rise to nearly 14 million by 2050

How Inadequate Oral Health Declines the Cognitive Section of Brain

Even the best dentist in Arizona would agree that inadequate oral health can be a factor for declining cognitive ability of the brain. Let’s see how.

    1. Poor Oral Hygiene
      Those with poor oral health are at a risk of developing Alzheimer’s. The bacteria from teeth can travel to the brain and every time they reach the brain, the bacteria may trigger immune system responses by already primed brains cells This causes them to release more chemicals that kill neurons, resulting in confusion and deteriorating memory.
    2. Gum Disease
      Periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, is caused due to the presence of swollen pockets in the gums. Periodontal disease is preceded by gingivitis and is characterized by red, swollen gums which bleed easily when touched. These pockets are filled with bacteria and create a low-grade inflammation, which connects periodontitis with Alzheimers disease and dental health.
    3. HSV-1 and Oral candidiasis
      Common oral infection in adults over 65 years and above include oral herpes simplex virus (HSV-1) and oral candidiasis. Generally latent in the peripheral nervous system, the HSV-1 virus can be activated by high stress, fatigue or illness. Once it is activated, the virus decreases the bodys ability to fight infection — increasing the chances of periodontal infections. It also produces pro-inflammatory factors which add additional challenges to an already compromised immune system.

If someone wears dentures, they harbor high amounts of oral candida which causes denture stomatitis — an inflammatory condition of the mucosa. Research shows that because of denture stomatitis, a systemic fungal infection occurs, which has been recently reported in Alzheimer’s  patients.

Oral Care in Alzheimer Patients

During the early stages of Alzheimer’s, the dental care mainly focuses on prevention. One of the basic prevention steps is getting routine oral hygiene check ups and dental cleaning. Regular flossing also helps in preventing the need for extensive procedures later on, which can be difficult for a person suffering from dementia to tolerate.

Gently remind the person suffering from Alzheimer’s how to brush if they have forgotten, in a step-by-step manner. You can even demonstrate if they cannot follow verbal instructions.

Ensure they keep their mouth healthy. If they cannot do it on their own, brush the person’s teeth and gums gently. If they wear dentures, rinse them with plain water after meals and brush them daily to remove food particles.

Be aware of any mouth pain or discomfort they might feel while eating or doing any other activity.

Role of the Dentist

The primary role of the doctors is to help the patients and caregivers manage and understand the disease and help them remain independent for as long as possible. It is important that the doctors exercise increased patience and understanding. They must use simple language while explaining and use a gentle approach when talking to the patients.

Write down clear instructions and treatment requirements for the caregivers. Educate both the patients and care-givers about good dental health practices. Inform them of the tools they can use. Emphasize the importance of regular checkups and identifying small signs that may indicate a progression in either oral health or Alzheimers. Lastly, it is important to remind the families and caretakers that patients will have good days and bad, and they need to be extremely patient during the bad days.

Get your loved ones checked for good dental hygiene at Goodyear dentist, AZ as a part of their regular health check up.