Category: Whitening

Most people desire a dazzling white smile. But with so many available teeth whitening tools and products, where should you start? There are several whitening products on the market and available over the counter, but not all of these options work. Whitening rinses and toothpastes do not sit on your teeth long enough to make much of a difference. Teeth whitening toothpastes often have very abrasive particles that act as a surface stain remover, but can’t actually penetrate the tooth to attain a whiter smile. In turn, these pastes can create or worsen tooth sensitivity. Crest Whitestrips are an over Read More →

From Christina, Dental Hygienist: Charcoal toothpastes have gained the attention of most patients, especially at big name stores like Target. Websites like Pinterest are stocked full of tooth whitening charcoal DIY recipes. But does charcoal actually whiten our teeth and is it safe to use? Does Charcoal Toothpaste Work? As a dental professional, I look at evidence-based practice to determine if a product is safe and effective for use. At this point, there isn’t a lot of research that has been done on charcoal as a dentifrice (aka toothpaste). We know that charcoal is negatively charged, therefore, it tends to Read More →

via GIPHY x Probably the easiest step you can take is just swapping out your regular toothpaste and mouthwash for a whitening variety, which can help to lighten stains with regular use. Beyond that, home whitening kits come in a variety of forms, from pens, to strips, and complete mouth guard kits. Depending on the kit’s ingredients and brand, you’re probably able to pick one up at your local grocery store or drugstore. However, while home kits are affordable and easily accessible, most don’t contain enough active ingredients to effectively lift stains from the teeth. In fact, legally, these products Read More →

As a hygienist, I am asked daily what a patient can do about sensitive teeth. First, we need to understand the basics of what may cause tooth sensitivity. Recession is the most common cause I find here at the office. Recession can be described as an area near the gum line of a tooth where the gums have “pulled away” or receded from the tooth. This process exposes the root of the tooth, causing several nerve endings to be exposed. If you look closely, you can sometimes see a yellow or dark gray color where the root is exposed. As a Read More →

Have you ever noticed after a red popsicle or a blue sucker that your teeth or tongue are stained? There are many foods and beverages we consume each day that can stain our teeth over time. We asked our assistant, Jamie, to list a few below: Although known as healthy beverages, black tea and red wine’s high tannin content (a compound found in plants that reacts with the proteins in your teeth) can stain your teeth even more than coffee! Another healthy item, deep colored fruits (i.e. blueberries, blackberries, cherries, and pomegranates) that have long been used for dyes in many Read More →

With so many types of toothpaste out there such as tartar control, whitening, sensitivity, cavity prevention, and many more, it can be difficult to know what’s right for you! We are often asked by our patients what types we suggest they use. Here are some basic recommendations, but it is always a good idea to consult your dentist or hygienist about what may be best for you. It can be difficult to know what type of toothpaste is right for your child. Children who are unable to spit toothpaste out after brushing (ages 0-3) require a rice sized amount of Read More →

Many of our patients ask us whether whitening toothpastes really whiten their teeth, so we asked Dr. Peters for clarification on this question. “They can to a limited extent. Whitening toothpastes have mild abrasives in them that help scrub away surface stains. The key here is that whitening toothpastes only work on the surface of teeth. They won’t whiten the inside of the tooth where most of the pigment is. You may notice a mild whitening of your teeth when you first switch to a whitening toothpaste, but after the surface stain is removed, you probably won’t get any additional Read More →