Tooth sensitivity is a common side effect of teeth whitening. It is usually mild and doesn’t last very long. If you experience sensitivity after whitening, you can use toothpaste for sensitive teeth to alleviate the discomfort.

Why are Teeth Sensitive after Whitening Treatment?

Teeth whitening treatment uses a bleaching agent to remove surface stains from your teeth. In the process, the whitener can penetrate any exposed dentin. Dentin naturally has pores, but it’s generally protected by the tooth enamel. However, most people have some dentin that is exposed, especially around the gum line. The whitening agent may move through the pores in the dentin and stimulate the nerve tissues inside the tooth, causing increased sensitivity. Most whitening agents are slightly acidic, as well, which can cause minor damage to the enamel, increasing the likelihood of sensitivity.

Most people—around 80 percent—experience some degree of sensitivity after whitening. In most cases it is mild and disappears in a few days. In some people, usually those who have issues with sensitivity to begin with, it can last a few weeks and be more uncomfortable.

What to do for Sensitive Teeth after Whitening

If you’re concerned about sensitivity after or during your teeth whitening treatment, talk to your dentist. Some recommendations to reduce sensitivity might include:

Take over-the-counter medication such as ibuprofen before your appointment

Avoid brushing your teeth immediately after whitening

Rinse your mouth with water after treatment

Use a desensitizing gel before treatment

Use toothpaste for sensitive teeth after treatment

Toothpaste for sensitive teeth helps remineralize the enamel and the dentin, plugging the pores to prevent stimulation of the tooth nerves. In addition to brushing with it, apply it directly to the sensitive areas of the teeth and let it sit for a few minutes. This increased exposure can provide more noticeable results. You should also be sure to use a soft toothbrush to avoid damaging your enamel. If you brush too often or too vigorously, especially right after a whitening treatment, you can worsen your sensitivity.

Dental veneers are one of the most versatile treatments available to today’s cosmetic dentist. The porcelain used to make them is also one of the most natural-looking substances used for dental restorations. This is because of porcelain’s unique properties, which enable it to closely mimic the look of natural enamel.

Porcelain for a Natural Look

Porcelain is a natural choice for dental veneers because it is durable, but also because it can exactly match the color and luster of your natural teeth. The veneers, which are custom made, can be manufactured to exactly match the color of your other teeth. In addition, porcelain is semi-translucent, so light reflects off the porcelain just like it does off natural enamel. This is because enamel is semi-translucent, while the dentin beneath it is opaque. With porcelain veneers, no one will be able to tell your teeth have even been treated. [pullquote]Porcelain is a natural choice for dental veneers because it is durable, but also because it can exactly match the color and luster of your natural teeth.[/pullquote]

Veneers are also very versatile. A cosmetic dentist can use them for a number of cosmetic and restorative uses, including:

• Surface damage
• Severe staining
• Minor gaps
• Minor misalignment

If you are unhappy about the way your smile looks, ask your cosmetic dentist if veneers can improve your smile.

Porcelain for a Long-Lasting Smile

Porcelain veneers are very thin, yet long-lasting. This allows them to be placed on your teeth without making drastic changes to the tooth structure. Once the thin porcelain shells are affixed to your teeth, they become strong and durable, and will last you several years. As long as you take good care of your teeth and your veneers, you can enjoy your new, perfect smile well into the future.

Caring for veneers shouldn’t be complicated. Just be careful not to bite hard objects such as ice, pens, or pencils, as this can chip the edges of your veneers. Also avoid things that could stain your teeth, like coffee, tea, and nicotine. Ask your dentist at the doctor Family Dentistry about the appropriate toothbrush and toothpaste to use to avoid eroding the veneers’ surfaces.

Although piercings in the lips or the tongue have become very popular in recent years, few people consider the health issues this kind of decorative piercing presents. In addition to the usual risks of infection, oral piercings can also endanger your teeth and oral tissues. Before you decide to pierce your lip or tongue, it’s a good idea to consult with your dentist to find out all the risks and possible side effects.

Risks to Your Dental Health

One of the biggest problems with oral piercings is the effect they can have on your teeth. A tongue piercing, for example, can hit your teeth repeatedly throughout a normal day, eventually wearing down your enamel or even cracking or breaking your teeth. Most piercers will place tongue studs farther back in the mouth to reduce the contact with the teeth, but it’s still a risky proposition. A stud in the lip can also make contact with the teeth, wearing down or damaging the enamel. It can also rub against the gums, creating sores or causing injuries to the soft tissues.

The portion of your jewelry that’s inside your mouth also tends to collect food particles and create additional real estate in your mouth where bacteria can breed. This leads to a number of possible problems, including severe halitosis, gum disease, and increased risk for tooth decay. It’s more difficult to keep bacteria out of your mouth when it has more surfaces on which to grow, so if you choose an oral piercing, you might be seeing your dentist more often than you’d like.

Infection and Possible Side Effects

Infection is always a risk any time you have something pierced. It becomes an even greater risk when the piercing occurs in a place like your mouth where bacteria already gather in hordes. Swelling and infection in your mouth can affect your ability to eat and talk. If your piercing doesn’t heal properly, these issues could continue in the long term. Infection in your mouth could also spread, affecting more than just your dental health. So if you do like the looks of a piercing in your lip or tongue, be sure to take into consideration the possible long-term issues it could cause.

Consult with our experienced dentist by calling our office to schedule an appointment.

Implant surgery is a fairly complex procedure that involves placing artificial tooth roots directly into the jawbone. Your implant dentist will want to use a local anesthesia for your own comfort. Be sure to talk to your dentist about what type of anesthesia is best for your individual circumstances.

What’s Involved in Implant Surgery?

If you’re having traditional implant surgery, each missing tooth will be replaced with a single artificial root. These roots resemble screws and are made of titanium or a titanium allow. Titanium is the ideal metal for implants because bone will bond with it, creating a strong, integrated foundation for your replacement teeth.

Placing the dental implants involves making an incision in the gum tissue, then setting the implants into the jawbone. It is necessary to use anesthetic during this procedure to minimize the discomfort. In most cases, a local anesthetic is sufficient. This may or may not be combined with sedation, depending upon your preferences.  [pullquote]Be sure to talk to your dentist about what type of anesthesia is best for your individual circumstances.[/pullquote]

Types of Anesthetic for Implant Surgery

Your implant dentist will help you determine the best way to approach anesthesia during your implant procedure. If you are only having a few implants placed, a local anesthetic might be sufficient. This can be combined with oral or intravenous sedation to make you more relaxed and comfortable. Nitrous oxide is also a common choice for sedation during surgery.

If you’re having several implants placed, such as all your top or bottom teeth, your dentist might prefer to use general anesthesia. This is because the surgery will be more extensive and take longer than it would with only a few implants. Be sure to discuss the risks and side effects of general anesthesia before your surgery.

Dental implants involve surgery and a healing process, but they are an excellent choice for tooth replacement. They are the most natural-looking and -feeling prosthetic teeth and since they’re implanted directly in the jawbone, they ensure your jawbone will remain healthy, rather than atrophying as often occurs in patients with dentures.

Contact the dental office of Jeffrey the doctor to learn more about dental implants today.

If you’re unhappy with your smile, a smile makeover can make you feel dramatically different about your appearance. Your cosmetic dentist will help you pick a combination of procedures to correct issues with your teeth and give you a bright, beautiful smile.

How a Smile Makeover Works

There are a number of cosmetic dentistry procedures available to help perfect your smile. A smile makeover is a set of procedures chosen specifically for you. You’ll consult with a cosmetic dentist to talk about how you’d like your teeth to look, then decide together what procedures to use to give you the smile you want. Once you’ve made these decisions, you’ll schedule an appointment or a series of appointments to have this cosmetic work done. In many cases, procedures can be combined into one visit, saving you time and money.

When you consult with your dentist, be sure to be clear about your goals. The more detailed you are, the better your dentist will understand your needs, and the more likely you are to be happy with the final results. Also be sure to look at some before and after pictures of treatments provided by your dentist of choice.

Choosing Your Smile Makeover

The procedures you choose for your smile makeover depend upon the problems you have with your teeth and how you’d like your smile to look when you’re finished. Some common procedures used in smile makeovers include:

• Teeth whitening
• Dental bonding
• Porcelain veneers
• Dental implants

If you have stained teeth that are chipped or broken, you might consider teeth whitening and dental bonding. Missing teeth combined with teeth that are misshapen or have pitted surfaces can be treated with a combination of dental implants and porcelain veneers. A “narrow” smile with discoloration responds well to teeth whitening treatment combined with veneers to whiten and widen your smile. If your dentist offers treatment like Invisalign for crooked or misaligned teeth, or treatments for a “gummy” smile, these, too can be included in your smile makeover.

Call our office to schedule your appointment to discuss your smile makeover options today.

Preparing teeth for dental crowns involves more than just ensuring a perfect fit. The dentist will work to preserve as much of the original tooth as possible, which will keep the overall structure strong and durable while working with a crown to provide the functional and aesthetic effects within the mouth. This also helps retain the gum tissue, making it easier for patients to feel comfortable and confident in the dental crown and overall usability of the tooth.

Dental crowns can be used for cosmetic purposes, to make a tooth more attractive. They are also used for functional purposes, providing the size, strength, and support for that tooth when the underlying tooth is damaged or insufficient. Dental crowns are used to cap dental implants, replacing a tooth entirely, and they are also used to cover and protect an underlying tooth that may be sensitive or in need of reinforcement, such as after a root canal or large filling. [pullquote]Preparing teeth for dental crowns involves more than just ensuring a perfect fit.[/pullquote]

After the dentist has prepared the underlying tooth by performing a root canal, filling a cavity, replacing a filling, or preserving a broken or damaged tooth, an impression is often made to allow the dental laboratory to custom design a crown for an individual patient. To allow room for a crown to be placed over an existing tooth, without creating unnecessary pressure on adjacent teeth, the dentist will prepare the surface of the tooth by sanding or filing to make the tooth smaller. This is often down with a box-like shape to make the inner-portion of the crown easier to design.

Using special tools, the dentist files away the outer surfaces of the tooth, creating the shape that will fit into the crown like interlocking puzzle pieces. An impression is taken and a model of the tooth and adjacent teeth is made from the cast of the impression. This is used to design the crown, which is often made with a ceramic composition and glazed to protect and appear like tooth enamel. A temporary crown is often placed over the shaped and prepared tooth to protect in the meantime. For more details and information about dental crowns and procedures, contact our skilled dentists at the doctor Family Dentistry today!

Dental implants offer an alternative to traditional bridges or other prosthetics, with a secure feel from the implanted root element. The implant is surgically placed within the jawbone, designed to support a replacement tooth crown or bridge, with lasting results. An implant dentist will assess each patient to determine which are good candidates for the implant procedure. If a patient is not an ideal candidate, additional procedures or alternatives may be recommended.

As with any surgical procedure, patients that are good candidates are in good overall or general health, indicating the body is capable of handling the surgical process as well as the healing process that follows. Good overall health, however, is not always an indicator of good oral health, which is another primary factor for determining a good candidate. In general, patients with consistent and sufficient oral hygiene habits have fewer occurrences of gingivitis or other inflammation and oral health conditions.

The gingiva or gum tissue needs to be healthy in order to avoid infection, inflammation, and implant rejection or other implant related issues. The dental implants will have contact with the gums and if the gums are inflamed, infected, or diseased there is an increased risk to the patient and the results. The surgical procedure generally cannot take place until the gums are healthy; likewise for other general and oral health conditions. If the gums bleed, hurt, have any swollen or abscessed areas, or other concerns, they must be treated prior to the possibility of implant surgery.

The implant dentist will also assess jawbone health for dental implants. If the jawbone is insufficient to support the implant, the dentist will usually offer options for alternative treatments or consider the possibility of a bone graft to increase the jawbone in order to support an implant. Regardless of age, patients from all walks of life benefit from dental implants and a qualified implant dentist can assess a patient, determine if the patient is a good candidate for implants, and offer treatment options or alternatives for each case. To learn more about dental implants and treatment options, contact our experienced and caring implant dentistry team at our office today!

Even adults can have misalignment that should be treated with orthodontic work. Moving your teeth into the right position can prevent serious long-term wear and tear on both the teeth and the jaw joint. Now, Invisalign treatment or another orthodontic approach can ensue that you’ll achieve a perfect smile.

Orthodontic Options for Adults

When we think of braces, we often think of adolescents having their teeth straightened. However, adults are often also in need of orthodontic treatment. This doesn’t necessarily have to be treatment with traditional metal braces, although this is an option. [pullquote]Adults are often also in need of orthodontic treatment…[/pullquote]

Other options for adults who would prefer to maintain the best possible appearance during treatment include:

• Porcelain braces—braces are made of tooth-colored porcelain instead of metal
• Lingual braces—braces are placed on the backs of the teeth instead of the fronts
• Invisalign—clear plastic trays are used to move the teeth into position

You and your orthodontist can determine the treatment that will give you the best results. If your teeth are seriously misaligned, you might have to use traditional braces or something closer to the traditional approach, such as porcelain braces. Less severe work can be accomplished with lingual braces or Invisalign. Be sure to ask your dentist and orthodontist which approach will work well for you.

How Invisalign Works

With traditional braces, rubber bands are attached to metal brackets in order to gradually move the teeth into position. Porcelain and lingual braces work the same way. With aligner trays, the process is somewhat different. Your teeth are still gradually shifted until they reach the correct position, but the movement is accomplished with the plastic trays.

Your treatment consists of using a series of these trays, each one slightly different than the one before. You’ll wear each tray for about two weeks. The slight differences in the shapes of the trays makes your teeth move a bit more each time you change trays. By the time you reach the last tray, your teeth will be properly aligned. And since the trays are virtually invisible, you can accomplish this without anyone even knowing you’re undergoing treatment.

If you’re interested in exploring what Invisalign can do for your smile, contact our skilled dentistry team today.

Veneers are an excellent way to improve the look of your smile, and can be used to treat a wide range of cosmetic issues. Made of porcelain, they are long-lasting and durable, but will last longer if properly cared for. Regular, daily oral hygiene is a part of this care, but you can do other things as well to keep your veneers looking new.

Caring for Veneers

The first and most important type of care for your new veneers is everyday dental hygiene. This includes brushing and flossing. You’ll brush and floss your treated teeth just like you did before, but be sure to ask your dentist about the appropriate type of toothbrush to use. You won’t want to use a toothbrush that is too stiff, as it could damage the porcelain.

Although the veneer itself cannot develop a cavity, the tooth beneath the veneer can. Regular visits to your dentist are vital to be sure cavities don’t develop and to monitor for gum disease. Be sure your dental hygienist knows you have veneers. It’s important for your hygienist to use cleaning tools that won’t be too harsh and damage the porcelain.

Special Considerations

Your cosmetic dentist will provide you with guidelines regarding how to care for your veneers in the long term. One thing you’ll want to avoid is staining. Porcelain is not porous like natural enamel and is therefore resistant to staining. However, this same quality means that if a veneer does become discolored, it will not respond to tooth whitening treatment. The only way to correct a discolored veneer is to replace it with a new one. So avoid extended exposure to nicotine, coffee, tea, or dark-colored foods and beverages.

You’ll also want to be careful about accidentally chipping the edges of your veneers. Don’t use them to bite hard objects. Don’t chew on ice cubes, pencils, pens, or other items. Also don’t use your teeth as tools. All these activities can chip your veneers and mar the beautiful smile they’ve given you.

For more tips on taking care of your new smile, contact our team at our office today.

Dental implants have grown greatly in popularity over the last few years, and with good reason. This natural-looking, permanent option for tooth replacement keeps your smile bright and your jawbone healthy. Since it requires surgery, many are concerned about rehabilitation and healing time afterwards, and how long your dentist will recommend that you rest before returning to work and other everyday activities.

Recovering After Implants

The placement of dental implants is a surgical procedure. As such, it requires diligent aftercare and sufficient downtime to ensure successful healing. Many people find it possible to return to work the next day after implants are placed. However, your personal recovery time may vary depending upon how many implants you have placed, your own general health, how physical your job is, and how comfortable you feel returning to your everyday activities. If your job is very physical or demanding, you might need to take more time off than if you are more sedentary. If you are on your feet all day, it might also be best to take a bit more time for your mouth to heal. [pullquote]Many people find it possible to return to work the next day after implants are placed.[/pullquote]

Your dentist will provide you with aftercare instructions to help ensure the best possible recovery. These instructions will probably include:

• Taking prescribed medications such as painkillers and antibiotics
• Avoiding certain foods
• Using ice to reduce swelling

If you experience any unusual side effects, such as a fever, extreme discomfort, or signs of infection, notify your dentist right away.

Caring for Your Implants

As your dental implants continue to heal, you’ll be able to return to your regular schedule and your regular diet. You’ll return for follow-up visits to be sure healing is progressing properly. As the implants heal, your jawbone bonds with them, ensuring that they’ll remain stationary and to stimulate bone growth just like a natural tooth root.

To find out more about dental implants and how they can help you regain your natural smile, please contact our implant team at the doctor Family Dentistry to schedule an appointment or a consultation.