Chicago Dentist

UCLA dental school Prof. Dr. Edmond Hewlett has several observations and suggestions that can help consumers decide which teeth-whitening process, if any, is for them:
1. All teeth-whitening methods that apply hydrogen peroxide to the teeth can be equally effective, but do-it-yourself procedures require persistence.
2. People with grayish teeth aren’t likely to benefit from teeth whitening.
3. Exposed roots of the teeth are unlikely to respond to teeth-whitening treatment.
4. Porcelain veneers and crowns aren’t affected by teeth-whitening substances, so people with them typically shouldn’t use whiteners. If they did, different parts of their teeth would have different shades.
5. Some patients experience uncomfortable side effects during the whitening processes. For them, the bleaching chemical can cause shooting pains or can make the teeth extremely sensitive to cold. Sensodyne toothpaste, which contains potassium nitrate as its active ingredient, can reduce sensitivity if a patient brushes with it before the teeth-whitening begins. Dentists can also use different concentrations of peroxide, depending on the patient’s sensitivity.
6. Don’t hesitate to ask your dentist for advice on which do-it-yourself products to use. “The dentist knows your mouth and understands price issues.”
7. Adhesive strips are more effective than brush-on products and rinses.
8. Tooth-whitening toothpastes are designed to remove surface stains, not to bleach the underlying tissue.
9. The American Dental Association has no certification process for teeth-whitening products, but it’s working on one. The Food and Drug Administration is also studying the issue.

Money: How to decide about teeth whitening | teeth, whitening, use, products, different - OCRegister.com

“Changing the size and shape of your teeth can significantly improve your smile as well as rejuvenate your overall appearance. Some of my patients say that a smile make-over is better than botox in restoring a youthful appearance.” Referring to a well-known study published by Frush and Fisher, which correlates the size and shape of teeth to sex, age and personality, Dr. Fundora explains, “There are several subtle cosmetic improvements that will change the shape and size of the teeth that result in a more youthful and feminine appearance.” “Teeth look much more feminine when they are rounded with more pronounced embrasures, the tiny inverted ‘v’ between the two front teeth,” explains Dr. Fundora. “When the canine teeth are pointy, it softens the appearance to take the point off.” Dr. Fundora achieves these changes with porcelain veneers and/or bonding, depending on the needs of each patient.

‘Size Does Matter … and So Does Shape … When It Comes to Teeth,’ Says Cosmetic Dentist, Dr. Denise Fundora

When it comes to the health and appearance of our teeth, most people are interested in doing everything they can to make their teeth look nice and healthy. When I visit my regular dentist, he always does a good job of helping me keep my teeth and mouth clean and healthy. However, there was a time when a tooth of mine broke out while I was eating some candy. My regular dentist was not able to fix it and he helped me find a dentist in my area that could fix it for me. The dentist he helped me find was a cosmetic dentist. Cosmetic dentists are more specialized doctors and can do things that your regular dentist cannot do. Some regular dentists can do some of the procedures, but choose not to. The regular dentist in my area only does the basic dental work. Some of the things a cosmetic dentist will do include: teeth whitening, short-term straightening techniques, restorations, veneers, etc. Basically, they can do anything to make your mouth look good and fix cosmetic problems.
Dental Care: Finding A Good Cosmetic Dentist In My Area

 by Dr. Jay Adlersberg

Professional teeth whitening treatments can be expensive, and it can leave your gums sensitive. But you may not need fancy products. A change in diet could brighten your smile. 

Most dentists will tell you that one of the reasons your teeth are the color they are has to do with your genetics, as well as your health habits. And by habits, in this case, are the materials that come in contact with your teeth.  If you’re looking to brighten your smile, there is no lack of methods and materials to help you do it. Expensive whitening can be done at the dentists’ office. And there are also the home products, less expensive, but maybe not as effective.

But there is something more basic: some dental experts are suggesting you might first start with what you eat and drink.

“Beverages like coffee, tea, red wine, dark syrupy sodas tend to stain your teeth pretty quickly,” Dr. Ada Cooper said.
Brushing your teeth immediately after a cup of coffee or red wine is one way to minimize staining.
It may not always be practical, but Dr. Ada Cooper recommends another simple way.

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by www.wtvq.com

The desire for whiter, brighter teeth is trickling down to teens and even younger.  Kids across the country are bleaching their pearly whites, often without their parent’s knowledge.  But there are some things you need to keep in mind to avoid tooth trouble.  According to Dr. David Carroll, “Kids are under a lot of pressure, as adults are, to look and to feel to look good, to have white teeth.”
 
But don’t be blinded by the white.  Dentists warn that children’s teeth aren’t fully developed. Bleaching can make them overly translucent and trigger tooth and gum sensitivity.  “There could be extreme tooth sensitivity if it’s used improperly, if it’s kept on the teeth for too long, and if the directions are not followed closely,” says Dr. Carroll.
That should be a red flag to parents who may not know their child is using a tooth whitener.

 ”If the child all of a sudden can’t drink cold water or can’t eat ice cream for some reason that might be an indication that they have started using some of these products,” he says. 

To avoid problems, kids who want whiter teeth should see a dentist before starting the bleaching process.  They should get a thorough examination, find out why, what is the cause of discoloration of the teeth.

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