Your Smile Can Be Brighter and Lighter. Family and Cosmetic Dentist Irvine.

Charcoal toothpaste has made headlines over the past year for its supposed teeth whitening and breath freshening abilities but it’s not all it’s cracked up to be. Many dentists have issued warnings about charcoal teeth whitening dangers and you may want to think twice before brushing teeth with charcoal.

What Kind Of Charcoal is In Toothpaste?

Activated charcoal, which is naturally porous, is often used in emergency rooms to treat poisoning and overdoses as it can absorb the toxins. While some people believe that the same logic means charcoal toothpaste can effectively clean teeth by attracting the particles that make the tooth appear darker. But, there are dangers associated with brushing teeth with charcoal.

What Are the Dangers of Charcoal Teeth Whitening?

First, there haven’t been any long-term studies about the effects of using charcoal toothpaste yet and the American Dental Association has not approved any charcoal teeth whitening products. If you choose to try brushing teeth with charcoal, you’re doing so at your own risk.

Oddly enough, brushing teeth with charcoal can actually have a negative affect on the appearance of teeth if used too frequently or too rough. Charcoal is an abrasive substance and can actually cause teeth to look more yellow over time instead of whitening them. This is because it can be wearing down the enamel and exposing the dentin, which has a natural yellow color. The tooth enamel, which is the outer layer of the tooth, cannot be replaced so you want to be cautious of using anything rough and grainy on your teeth.

Furthermore, people with receding gums should be especially wary of using charcoal toothpaste as the exposed root of the tooth may be extra sensitive.

Finally, since charcoal is known to absorb medicines, people who use charcoal toothpaste and take medications have to be especially cautious about rinsing and not swallowing the toothpaste in order to avoid the risk of having it interfere with their health.

Traditional Teeth Whitening Versus Charcoal Toothpaste?

As always, brushing your teeth and flossing regularly are a great start to a brighter smile. Your dentist can recommend further teeth whitening treatments if you are looking for a more dramatic result.

While using activated charcoal for teeth whitening dates back to Ancient Rome, humans and health care have come a long way in the last couple of millenniums. Teeth whitening toothpastes and in-office whitening procedures offer more effective and safer results than brushing teeth with charcoal. Stick with a tried and true teeth whitening option and skip the charcoal toothpaste fad to protect your pearly whites from potential damage.

If you still have questions, please contact our dentist office today.

Teeth whitening is becoming an increasingly popular practice for those who wish to rejuvenate and revitalize their smiles. But, as with many rising trends, safety concerns inevitably grew with its popularity; the same individuals who wish for whiter, more youthful-looking teeth also want assurance for the safety of their smile.

Asking “Is teeth whitening safe?” is smart when considering this procedure, but the answer isn’t as simple as it seems.

Teeth Whitening Safety Tips You Need to Know

The short answer is that yes — teeth whitening is a safe procedure. However, this answer comes with a caveat. The safety of your procedure will entirely depend on the experience of your dentist. Therefore, the procedure itself may be safe, but only dental professionals who have performed the procedure many, many times can offer you the best teeth whitening and the best safety.

After-Effects of Teeth Whitening

Although we can deem professional teeth whitening as safe, there are a few after-effects you should know that may follow your procedure:

Teeth sensitivity. A little sensitivity and pain isn’t uncommon following cosmetic teeth whitening. Your dentist may prescribe you with pain relievers or even a sensitivity toothpaste to help you handle it; otherwise, you may treat your teeth using the normal dental hygienic methods such as using a fluoride mouthwash. Any post-procedure pain and sensitivity should only last several days, but be sure to contact your dentist if it lasts longer.

Gum sensitivity. Your gums may be affected by the procedure, leading to sensitivity and pain. If you have gum disease you may feel these effects more fully. Although the gum sensitivity resulting from the teeth whitening will go away on its own over time, your dentist may be able to provide you with a toothpaste, mouthwash, or other product to help speed up the process.

How to Get the Safest Teeth Whitening Procedure

As with any serious cosmetic or dental procedure, be sure to choose a professional who has a level of experience and skill you are comfortable with and who can deliver to you a perfect smile. The safest form of teeth whitening is done in the dentist’s office, with a dental professional personally inspecting your teeth and understanding your needs.

For your needs, please consider Art of Dentistry Institute. With our chairside laser teeth whitening procedure, you will receive a fast, safe treatment that leave your teeth up to eight shades whiter, giving you a vibrant, more youthful smile.

Everyone wants a brighter smile and teeth whitening is one of the most popular ways to get your pearly whites looking their best. There are multiple options when it comes to both professional teeth whitening and at-home teeth whitening.

What Causes Teeth to Turn Yellowish?

The color of your teeth is most often affected by your lifestyle but it can also be tied to genetics. Things like drinking coffee or red wine and smoking can stain the enamel and even the dentin, making your teeth look yellow. Luckily, you can remove these stains by undergoing a teeth whitening procedure.

What Are My Options for Cosmetic Teeth Whitening?

There are over-the-counter whitening strips, toothpastes and mouth rinses that can help you achieve a whiter smile at home but professional teeth whitening by your dental provider will give you the best teeth whitening results.

• In-Office Teeth Whitening Procedure – While this option may be the most expensive, it’s also the best teeth whitening technique as it yields the whitest results. A professional applies bleaching gel to your teeth for about 20 minutes. This process may be repeated three times, depending on quickly your teeth reach your desired shade of white.
• Custom At-Home Trays – Similar to the in-office treatment, this teeth whitening procedure also uses bleaching gel. However, since you apply it at home, it’s a weaker concentration and takes up to two weeks of wearing the trays for one hour a day to reach the right color.
• Whitening Toothpastes – By using a bleaching toothpaste, you may be able to lighten your teeth but you won’t see the same results as the other two methods. The whitening gel in toothpaste isn’t as strong and most people don’t brush their teeth for long enough to notice major results. It also only removes surface stains.

How Do Teeth Whitening Products Remove Stains?

Surface stains are removed either by abrasion or a chemical reaction while stains below the enamel require either hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. This causes a chemical reaction that can break apart the carbon bonds that make the tooth appear yellow to give you a brighter smile.

Is It Safe to Use Teeth Whitening Products?

As long as you follow the directions, teeth whitening products are safe to use. Some people may notice increase tooth sensitivity and mild gum irritation for up to three days following a teeth whitening procedure. These side effects can be lessened by undergoing shorter treatments and taking a few days break between teeth whitening treatments. Make sure that your teeth whitening product carries the ADA Seal of Acceptance to guarantee that it’s both safe and effective.

Teeth whitening is a highly sought-after, completely safe cosmetic dentistry procedure. Teeth whitening restores a patient’s teeth to a vibrant, white color, undoing years of discoloration. Professional teeth whitening is also a relatively inexpensive process, making it a great value for patients looking to improve the appearance of their smile. But a common question remains: how long does teeth whitening last?

The Art of Dentistry Institute is committed to providing you with a beautiful, enduring smile. We are here to answer this common question to help you get the best teeth whitening experience.

What to Expect from a Teeth Whitening Procedure

When receiving a professional teeth whitening procedure from Art of Dentistry Institute, you can expect the entire process to take no more than 45 minutes. We use a completely safe chairside laser treatment that can whiten the teeth for up to eight shades. You will be under the supervision of a dental professional for the duration of the procedure to ensure you get the best teeth whitening for your smile. Other, non-laser treatments take weeks to complete.

Your teeth will remain white after your procedure for an average period of three years. However, that period can vary from person to person. Be sure to discuss your expectations with your dentist. Additionally, other factors may affect how long a cosmetic teeth whitening can last. This includes where you had the treatment (for example, a Dentist Fort Wayne), what type of treatment and the lifestyle choices of that person.

How Can I Make My Teeth Whitening Last?

The benefits from your teeth whitening procedure may be prolonged with proper daily care.Teeth can discolor over time, including teeth that have undergone a teeth whitening procedure. However, you can take steps to keep your teeth looking white long after you’ve sat in the dentist’s chair. Follow these simple guidelines to keep your pearly whites shining bright:

• Don’t smoke or chew tobacco. Regular tobacco use can discolor the teeth and give them a yellow appearance.
• Avoid teeth-staining food or drinks. Coffee, tea, and red wine can all stain the teeth.
• Practice good dental hygiene. Brushing and flossing your teeth twice daily are recommended to keep your teeth looking their brightest.

Even the best teeth whitening procedure by a licensed cosmetic dentist won’t last a lifetime. However, teeth whitening can add a temporary vibrant sheen to your teeth for a significant amount of time. With a little extra care, you can make the most of your procedure and enjoy a bright, gorgeous smile for several years to come.

Americans spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on oral hygiene a year. Now, some of that money goes to the necessities, but some of it goes to ineffective teeth whitening solutions that don’t always have the intended results. If you’re looking for ways to keep your smile sparkling, use these tips to naturally brighten your smile!

How To Whiten Your Teeth Naturally

Baking Soda and Water. This simple tip will help you bring brightness back to your smile. Simply mix ½ tsp of baking soda with ½ tsp water. Mix this until a past forms (a tooth paste, if you will). Brush your teeth with paste for about a minute and then rinse as you normally would. You should only use this tip once a week to avoid abrasion.

Eat Oranges and Pineapples. Eating good foods is one of the easiest ways to treat your body right. The teeth are part of the body so it is only natural that they would follow suit. Fruits that contain citric acid help you salivate more. The salivation process helps wash your teeth clean naturally. There may be a temptation in seeing citric acid and going for the granddaddy of them all.

AVOID – Please, DO NOT use lemon juice to whiten your teeth faster. The concentration of citric acid in lemons is higher and can actually erode teeth if applied directly and frequently.

Eat More Dairy. Milk, yogurt and cheese, if you like dairy you’ve inadvertently done your pearly whites a favor. Dairy helps fight tooth decay and it may not be for the reasons you think. Dairy has lactic acid which helps protect against tooth decay. Are you just looking for the dairy product that will whiten your teeth? Next time you are at the store grab your favorite hard cheese. Hard cheeses can help remove food particles.

These quick and easy tips can help form better habits that will lead to brighter and whiter teeth. It’s important to eat the right things and take proper care of your teeth, but it’s also important to visit your dentist.

If you are truly looking for bright and white teeth, create an action plan with your dentist including in office and at home options. Teeth Whitening Treatments, including Zoom, are affordable and can be set up for any length of time depending on the severity of the staining.