Everyday more people are becoming concerned with their appearance, including clothing, weight and smile.  Because of these trends more people are turning to cosmetic dentistry to enhance their appearance. As individuals continue to consume products that stain their teeth – many are turning to whitening or bleaching to get that sparkle back. Unlike a decade ago when whitening began to gain popularity, today treatments are available for everybody’s budget and timeframe: from picking up a home whitening kit (about $20), to taking the time and sitting in the dentist chair (about $400); there is a method for everyone.

But as with any cosmetic enhancement, you shouldn’t go in blindly. Before walking down the path of cosmetic procedures, you should take the time to review all of your options.  It is important to know the look you want to achieve and the best process to get those results.

Here are a few questions you should know the answers to before you start any whitening process.

What is whitening (or, bleaching for that matter)?
Whitening teeth simply means: restoring the natural color to teeth by removing stains and dirt. So technically, any product that cleans your teeth is considered a whitener, even toothpaste and floss. The whitening process starts by cleaning the tooth surface and removing daily plaque from your teeth. In order to get that brilliant pearly glow, a bleaching agent is needed. To keep your teeth glowing, regular teeth cleanings are necessary too.

The FDA (Food Drug Administration) defines “bleaching teeth” as whitening teeth beyond their natural color. This is something that can only be accomplished with the use of a bleaching solution (such as hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide). So, whitening and bleaching is essentially the same thing.

How is whitening done?
An in-office whitening is the fastest and most effective method to bring that sparkle back to your smile. It offers the most significant color change in the shortest amount of time.

First, your lips and gums are protected with a barrier.  Your teeth are then coated carefully with high-concentration peroxide gel. The gel remains on your teeth in intervals of eight-to-ten minutes for up to three sessions during the sitting. While the gel is applied to your teeth, a laser light is used to activate the peroxide, thus breaking the stains away from your teeth.  So, within one hour, your teeth will have a high glossy white glow and your teeth will sparkle.

At-home bleaching trays are the second most effective method of whitening. Often your dentist will recommend using the trays after you’ve had an in-office session to keep your smile brilliantly white.

When using at-home methods, dental trays are made to fit your teeth. Patients are provided with the whitening solution and directed to fill the molds with the solution and wear the tray for approximately thirty minutes at a time, for several days in a row.

No matter which method you chose, it’s important to discuss expectations with your dentist so you know which procedure is best for you.

Why are teeth sensitive after a whitening, is the solution damaging my enamel?
There is nothing harmful about getting your teeth whitened, although there may be a few side effects you might find bothersome.

Many patients experience sensitivity to extreme hot and cold temperatures initially. This is because when the teeth are whitened the pores of the enamel are opened to remove stains. The discomfort should only last about 24 hours after the whitening process – it takes time for the pores to close.

Research indicates that teeth lose some enamel hardness when using different whitening agents. However, using these agents under the supervision of a dentist should not cause permanent damage. You should be aware that prolonged exposure to these whitening agents could cause tooth color to change to a grayish hue. This only occurs if whitening agents are used too frequently and these effects are usually reversible.

It’s always best to consult your doctor about these concerns, or if you notice any of these symptoms.

Is whitening safe for Bonding, Veneers or Crowns?
Whitening is only truly designed for natural teeth. The whitening agents only lighten the tooth surface, so if you have crowns, bondings or veneers, there is a chance that your natural teeth will lighten and your dental restorations will maintain a darker shade.  For this reason, it is important to discuss whitening options with your dentist before starting whitening your teeth, even if you plan to use over the counter products.

Before placing veneers you should consider whitening your teeth. Doing this will ensure that your new veneer restorations will reflect your natural tooth color. If you choose to lighten your teeth after having veneers placed, you will only be able to lighten the color of your tooth to the shade of the veneer.

How long will the effects of tooth whitening last?
Although the whitening process will bring back the true whiteness of your teeth, the effects are not permanent and the whitening will fade as you consume products that stain (ie: tea, coffee and/or cigarettes). Depending on how you care for your teeth, effects can begin to diminish within months, or can last for years.  By having regular cleanings every six months, most new stains can be removed when the dentist polishes your teeth. Reducing your intake of coffee and tea can also ensure that your pearly white teeth keep their sparkle. If you know that you consume many staining agents, consider having bleaching trays made so that you can touch up every few months on your own, keeping that smile fresh.

If you have any additional question please don’t hesitate to call Dr Kederians office at (424) 901-0701.

Click here to find out more about whitenings by Lisa Kederian, DDS.

When you go to the dentist, chances are you sit in the chair and grin-and-bear-it through whichever procedure you are about to endure. It’s ok – that’s what most patients do, the dentist isn’t the favorite of all doctors out there.  But as with any profession, Dentistry has a history and its history is chock-full of fun facts. Below are some interesting nuggets of information about dentistry proving that not only is dentistry innovative, it’s fun!

• There is evidence that dentistry has been practiced as far back as 7000B.C.
• Cavities and other forms of tooth decay were said to be caused by a “tooth worm” up until the 18^th century during the European Age of Enlightenment.
• Earliest Known Dental Work: A total of 11 teeth from 9 adults who lived between 7,500 and 9,000 years ago were found containing holes drilled with sharpened flint points. Flint-wielding specialists drilled holes, which were believed to have been filled with some type of material. The teeth came from residents of a prehistoric farming village called Mahrgarh in what is now Pakistan.
• Like finger prints, tooth and tongue prints are different for everyone.
• The second most common disease in the United States is tooth decay. The first is the common cold.
• Dental floss was first commercially manufactured in 1882 with silk.
• The most valuable tooth belonged to Sir Isaac Newton.  In 1816 one of his teeth was sold in London for $3,633.00 or in today’s terms $35,700.00.  The tooth was set in a ring.
• More than 300 types of bacteria make up plaque
• Most people consider the smile the first facial feature they notice.
• Some cheeses like aged-cheddar, Gouda and Muenster – among others, have been found to protect teeth from decay
• The major causes of tooth loss in people under age 35 are sports, accidents and fights.
• Queen Elizabeth I’s teeth were noticeably discolored. A German traveler, Paul Henter, speculated that the discoloration was due to the Queen’s excessive consumption of sugar, making the first recorded association between sugar and tooth decay.
• George Washington’s dentures were made from walrus, hippopotamus, and cows’ teeth, as well as elephant tusks.
• Before toothbrushes were invented people used twigs or their fingers to brush their teeth.(Neem twigs are still used in India as they have high bactericidal property)
• A couple of hundred years ago bad teeth were considered to be a rich man’s disease. It was only the rich people who could afford to eat sweet things
• China sets aside September 20th as a national holiday known as “Love Your Teeth Day.”
• The ancient Chinese wrapped tiny pieces of parchment around painful teeth, all of which contained written prayers and incantations.
• During the Middle Ages in Germany, you would have been advised to kiss a donkey in order to relieve your toothache.
• The ancient Greeks devised pliers for extracting teeth
• Lucy Hobbs was the first woman in the world to earn a D.D.S. degree from a dental school. The year was 1866 and the school was the Ohio College of Dental Surgery in Cincinnati, OH. Up until then only men were allowed to practice dentistry.

With Halloween fast approaching, many parents are experiencing concern over the fate of their children’s teeth. Every child loves Halloween—dressing up, watching spooky movies, and eating lots and lots of candy. So how can you let your kids enjoy candy without worrying about cavities? For that matter, how can you yourself enjoy a few Halloween snacks without undoing all your protective brushing and flossing? Dr. Lisa Kederian has put together a few handy tips for this Halloween season in the hopes that your teeth will stay strong and healthy without you having to forgo a few delicious treats.

In order for a cavity to form, three basic elements are necessary. There must be food, bacteria, and an acidic environment. Without all three components, a cavity will not form. Candy, however, creates the perfect combination of all three of these components: candy is a food that is easily broken down by common bacteria found in your mouth. When bacteria digest sugary candy, they produce lactic acid, creating an acidic environment. Thus, if you eat a sugary food with bacteria present in your mouth, an acidic environment is created, completing the trio.

To avoid cavities, there are simple steps you can take to prevent bacteria from breaking down the sugar. First, try eating all the candy you want in one sitting, rather than snacking throughout the day. When you eat a carbohydrate, there is a 30-60 minute period during which bacteria feed on the sugar and produce acid. If you can limit yourself to eating candy all at one time, your exposure to acidity is greatly decreased. If you eat all your candy and then brush your teeth, you can greatly reduce the chances of getting a cavity.

Stay away from hard candies and stick to chewable ones. Hard candies remain in your mouth for a prolonged period of time, as you do not chew and swallow them like a chocolate or chewy candy. The same goes from extremely sticky candies, like caramels, as the sticky substance can become stuck to your teeth and stay there long after you chew and swallow.

If you have an extreme sweet tooth and need to snack, try chocolate candy or sugar-free chewing gum. Chocolate, especially dark chocolate, has a low concentration of sugar, as the candy is sweetened naturally by cocoa solids, which contain tannin. Tannin is a compound that helps reduce the growth of plaque; it also contains oxalic acid, which reduces acid production. Chewing gum stimulates your salivary glands, helping you to produce more saliva, which creates a neutral environment. Also, chewing gum with Xylitol can even help to prevent cavities.  Xylitol is natural non-fermentable sugar alcohol that starves harmful micro-organisms, allowing enamel crystals to re-mineralize damaged areas of the teeth.

Finally, as always, pay attention to your oral hygiene habits. After consuming candy, make sure to brush and floss your teeth right away—do not wait until bedtime. Also, using a rinse with fluoride can also aid in re-mineralizing broken crystal structures on the surface of the enamel, allowing your teeth to become stronger. Halloween is a time for fun and indulging; do not let a fear of cavities ruin your holiday…but do not let the holiday ruin your smile, either!