Teeth Whitening or Teeth Bleaching

Post by: Gerarda on 03 Sep 2023

Teeth whitening or bleaching is a cosmetic dental procedure that uses hydrogen peroxide to lighten the colour of the teeth. It can be done as in-office bleaching or at home, using bleaching trays made by the dentist.

The in-office bleaching method involves applying a protective cover to the gums, then a bleaching gel to the teeth and activating it with a cold / plasma light. This protective cover for the gums helps prevent teeth sensitivity.

The home bleaching method involves using bleaching trays custom-made by the dentist, which are filled with a bleaching gel, and worn for a specified period of time as prescribed by the dentist.

To maintain the whiteness of your teeth after bleaching, it’s important to avoid certain foods and drinks that can cause staining such as dark-coloured fruits and juices, coffee and tea, red wine, colas, beets, soy sauce, curry and dark chocolate to name a few.

To keep your teeth looking light in colour after bleaching, it is also important to brush and floss your teeth regularly to remove any food particles and stain-causing substances that may be stuck between the teeth. If you are not in the position to brush having had teeth-staining food or drink then rinse your mouth out with water. This is better than nothing if you can´t get to your toothbrush.

Your dentist can give you more tips to help you maintain your teeth. Book a dental appointment to see if you are a candidate for bleaching.

Categories: Dental appointment,Sensitive teeth,Teeth Bleaching
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Posted on Sunday 3rd September 2023 at 9:00 am

The Causes of Teeth Sensitivity & How to Avoid it

Post by: Gerarda on 05 Dec 2022

Teeth sensitivity is caused by the exposure of the dentin, the layer of the tooth beneath the enamel. This can be caused by a variety of factors, including:

• Tooth decay
• Tooth erosion
• Worn fillings
• Brushing teeth too hard or with a toothbrush that has hard bristles
• Consuming acidic foods and drinks (such as citrus fruits and carbonated beverages)
• Grinding or clenching teeth
• Gum disease

To avoid tooth sensitivity, you can:

• Use a toothbrush with soft bristles and brush gently
• Limit consumption of acidic foods and drinks
• Use a mouthguard if you grind or clench your teeth
• Talk to your dentist about using a desensitizing toothpaste or fluoride gel
• Visit your dentist regularly for cleanings and check-ups
• If gum disease is identified, follow the treatment plan provided by your dentist

If you experience sensitivity that persists, it is important to make a dental appointment for a diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

Tooth Enamel Erosion and How to Prevent it

Post by: Gerarda on 19 Apr 2021

Even though you have the body’s hardest tissue covering your teeth, enamel, it is still very susceptible to damage especially from crunching or grinding hard substances, consuming acidic drinks, or chipping from opening a bottle with your teeth or biting your fingernails.

Enamel covers the crown of a tooth and is the only part visible outside the gum. Enamel serves a function of protection, providing a layer of insulation against temperatures and chemicals. If you have a tooth that has eroded you can have sensitivity for hot or cold when eating and drinking. Breathing cold air or eating sweets can also give you that same sensitivity. Once the tooth has eroded it leaves openings for the sensitivity to get through to the layer of tooth that contains the nerve fibers.

What causes tooth enamel erosion?
Eating too much food or drink containing sugar and acids erodes the enamel on teeth. Normal bacteria in your mouth thrive on sugar and unless you maintain good oral hygiene, bacteria are left to feed on the sugar which wreaks havoc on your teeth.

Tooth enamel erosion can be caused by the following:
• Soft drinks & fruit drinks
• Sour foods or candies – any food that tastes sour indicates the presence of an acid
• Foods high in sugar and starches – bread, pasta, rice, couscous, potatoes, breakfast cereals, oats and other grains
• Bulimia or alcoholism – frequent vomiting can erode the tooth enamel
• Dry mouth or low saliva flow (xerostomia)
• Environmental conditions – grinding (bruxism), wear and tear, stress
• Abrasion – brushing your teeth too hard or using a hard toothbrush
• Acid reflux disease (GERD) or heartburn
• Gastrointestinal problems
• Medications (antihistamines, aspirin, vitamin C)

How to avoid tooth erosion?
• Limit the amount of acidic food and drink you consume. If you are having a soft drink or fruit juice then have a glass of water or milk after to rinse your mouth or eat a piece of cheese.
• Drink water throughout the day.
• Use a soft toothbrush.
• Use fluoride toothpaste.
• Get treatment for any health conditions.
• Ask your dentist about sealants or dental bonding to prevent tooth erosion.

What to do if I have tooth erosion?
The tooth needs treatment in the form of tooth bonding or depending on the amount of tooth substance lost, it may need a veneer or a crown to protect it from further damage.

The Bitter Truth of Lemons

Post by: Gerarda on 01 Feb 2021

The biggest delinquent in tooth erosion (loss of tooth enamel) is acidic drinks. People are constantly being told that drinking the juice of a lemon the first thing in the morning is a great detox for the liver or the gastrointestinal tract. What you are not told is the fact that lemon is a highly acidic food. While lemon might be good for your digestive system and a good source for Vitamin C it is not good for your teeth.

If you must drink lemon juice, drink it with 250ml of warm water (not hot) to lessen the acidity. After drinking the lemon water, rinse your mouth with water immediately. This removes any acid that may remain on the tooth surface and reduces the acidity of your saliva.

DO NOT brush your teeth for at least 30 minutes after drinking the lemon water.

Use a soft toothbrush with a fluoride toothpaste (fluoride strengthens tooth enamel) and brush gently. The acid in the juice softens tooth enamel and makes it more prone to erosion during brushing.

 

Tooth Sensitivity

Post by: Gerarda on 24 Jun 2019

Tooth sensitivity is a common dental problem that usually starts with a temporary sudden, sharp pain when eating, drinking or brushing your teeth and sometimes when exposed to cold air. At least 40 million adults suffer from sensitive teeth in the United States, according to the American Academy of General Dentistry.

5 Reasons for Tooth Sensitivity

1. Tooth grinding – Most people to some extent grind their teeth mainly at night and primarily when they are under stress. This grinding can wear away the enamel and leave the dentin exposed.

2. Receding gums – Brushing your teeth too vigorously or with a toothbrush that has hard bristles can wear away tooth enamel and expose dentin.

3. Chipped or fractured teeth – Broken teeth are a highway for bacteria and cause inflammation in the pulp of the tooth. More severe cases can lead to abscess and infection.

4. Acidic and sugary sweet foods – Citrus fruits and sticky sweet candy encourage enamel reduction.

5. Fillings – Sometimes after a composite filling, teeth become sensitive when biting down. This can be fixed with a simple bite adjustment.

Like anything else, you need a diagnosis. If the cause is not understood the symptoms may lessen, but they will not disappear. Proper diagnosis of the sensitivity is essential for treatment, and there is no single treatment that works for everyone.

Categories: Dental health,Dental Information,Sensitive teeth
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Posted on Monday 24th June 2019 at 9:48 am