Over Bleaching Can Ruin your Smile

The most popular restorative dental procedure on the planet can work wonders for stained or yellow teeth, but according to your dentist, if tooth-whitening products are used daily, you could be asking for trouble.

Ten years ago, most people had no idea what tooth whitening was. However, that has certainly changed with dozens of over the counter tooth bleaching kits available to anyone who has the desire to whiten their smile. Tooth whitening toothpaste is now more popular than those that contain fluoride.  

When used correctly professional custom-made tooth whitening kits and even products available from your local pharmacy will give you a brighter grin. The American Dental Association recommends that you use an over the counter product for no more than two weeks and your custom-made bleaching kit from your dentist as recommended. Power bleaching, or chair side tooth whitening, should only be done once or twice a year at the most.

Over bleaching your teeth can cause sensitivity. In fact, some suffer from sharp pains that can happen out of the blue. If you bleach your teeth too often, you may also become sensitive to hot and cold when you eat or drink. Some people may experience burning gums, mild tingling, or even intense pain known as, “Zingers.”

Other problems that can occur with over whitening, or, “Bleachorexia,” are bluish enamel, transparent teeth and gum sensitivity. Some people who believe that their teeth are never white enough could also be causing internal damage because of a cracked tooth or an undetected cavity. Not only will this cause pain, but it may mean an emergency trip to the dentist’s office for a root canal.

Your dentist recommends that you aim for a color that will match the whites of your eyes. Anything whiter and you run the risk of going overboard.

Thankfully you don’t have to resort to ancient tooth whitening techniques such as ground pumice and wine vinegar used by the Greeks, or urine, which was a favorite tooth whitening treatment used by the Romans. These days there are plenty of products that will give you a beautiful smile, just be sure to follow the instructions if you are using an over the counter product or a tooth whitening kit from your dentist.

For more information regarding tooth whitening or any other dental restoration procedure, including dental veneers or dental bonding, schedule an appointment with your dentist who can determine was is best for your needs.

Bonding Could Be the Answer

Your Rancho Mirage Dentist has a wonderful alternative if you have been toying with the idea of veneers, but have been put off by the cost. Dental veneers do look natural, and if you are planning on cosmetically enhancing all of your teeth, Dental Veneers are probably the way to go, but according to Dr. Randall Szutz, bonding could be just the ticket if you only have a couple of teeth that require Cosmetic Dentistry in Rancho Mirage.

Bonding is a wonderful restorative treatment that is used to repair chips, cracks, discolorations, and misarranged teeth. Dental bonding is an alternative to Veneers, is much quicker, and can usually be completed in just one appointment with your Rancho Mirage Dentist.

When you schedule an appointment with your Dentist in Rancho Mirage, Dr. Szutz will examine your teeth for any decay or gum issues including gingivitis and periodontal disease. If you have been given the all clear, your Rancho Mirage Dentist will begin by etching the surface on the teeth that are to be bonded. Once etched your dentist will apply a bonding liquid. Once the liquid has set, the plastic resin will be applied and artistically sculpted by your Rancho Mirage Dentist who will then trim, smooth and polish your teeth giving your new smile a natural appearance.

Whether you are a candidate for dental bonding is really up to your dentist. The composite material used by Dr. Szutz is made up of quartz particle and resin and if you like to suck on hard candy or lemons, indulge in soda on a regular basis, or grind your teeth at night, dental bonding in Rancho Mirage may not be the best solution for your cosmetic dentistry issues.

Schedule an appointment with Dr. Szutz and the team from Country Club Dentistry in Rancho Mirage today for Cosmetic Dentistry, which could include bonding or veneers. After all, isn’t it time that you started smiling again?