A White Smile for Your Sweetheart

If you have a special day planned with your sweetheart this February 14th, you don’t want a smile that’s dingy and yellowed. You want to look your very best. After all, nothing puts a damper on romance like feelings of embarrassment and self-consciousness. Of course, even if your Valentine’s Day “plans” consist of nothing more than hanging out on the couch with a movie and your good friends Ben and Jerry, you too will benefit from adding the white back into your pearlies. Professional teeth whitening is a simple way to get a more polished, put-together appearance. You will look younger and more dynamic. No more closed-mouth smiles. No more putting your hand over your lips when you laugh. Your easy self-confidence will be evident every time you mingle at a party, meet someone on a date, or sit down for a job interview. This is a change you can’t afford not to make. Call Creekview Family Dentistry at 972-505-3423 to book an appointment for whitening or any of our dental services.

Teeth Staining Is Normal

As we get older and live our lives, most of us will experience some degree of tooth discoloration. Perhaps we consume dark foods and beverages, perhaps we sometimes drop the ball with our oral hygiene, perhaps it’s a combination of factors. Regardless, while it is inevitable to some extent, a darker smile is not something you have to accept. There are two major types of staining. The first and most common is called extrinsic, and refers to darkening of the outer, or enamel, layer of the teeth. Extrinsic staining also happens to be the most easily reversible. Causes include:

• Smoking and other tobacco use
• Drinking coffee, tea, and soda
• Consuming deeply colored foods like curry, tomato sauces, soy sauce, berries
• Acidic foods can contribute to tooth staining because they make the enamel less smooth, enabling pigments to adhere better. So that glass of white wine may seem innocent enough, but it’s creating a stain-friendly surface.

Intrinsic stains affect the dentin, which is the tooth’s inner structure. Since they are so deep, they are much trickier to eliminate. If bleaching treatments don’t work, other cosmetic procedures such as veneers or bonding can be effective. Causes of intrinsic stains include:

• Exposure to tetracycline antibiotics in utero or before the age of eight
• Exposure to excessive amounts of fluoride at a young age
• Trauma to the tooth
• A rare condition called dentinogenesis imperfecta

Over-the-Counter Kits Don’t Deliver

Yes, your drug store and supermarket shelves are filled with products that claim to whiten teeth. Unfortunately, you will likely find them to be a waste of money. Many of them are designed to work like our take-home product: they have a mouth-guard-like tray that you fill with the whitener and wear on your teeth. But these whitening solutions contain lower concentrations of active ingredient than our professional product. Because they don’t work as well, you may be tempted to leave them in your mouth too long, creating discomfort. Plus the ill-fitting trays may leach whitening product onto your sensitive soft tissues. Sensitivity is a common problem with teeth whitening. With our professional whitening products, we can monitor you and provide methods of alleviating the discomfort. With over-the-counter kits, you are on your own.

Zoom In-Office Whitening

If you want a brilliant white smile — up to eight shades — fast, Zoom In-Office treatment makes sense for you. When you come in for your appointment, we will examine your teeth to make sure they are healthy enough for treatment. Once we determine you are a candidate for Zoom, we will prepare you and make sure your gums and soft tissues are well protected. We will apply the powerful Zoom whitening gel and activate it with a special light, repeating the process a couple of times for about 45 minutes total. By the time you leave the office, your pearly whites will be gorgeous and pristine.

Patterson Take-Home Whitening

If you don’t require immediate results, we can give you Patterson take-home kits. This system combines professional oversight and results with the convenience of lightening your when you want. The flavored gels come in different strengths and contain fluoride ion, which keeps sensitivity to a minimum. We will help you decide which will work best for your needs. The perfectly fitting trays are comfortable and provide even coverage. With take-home whitening, you have total control over your treatment. Once you are happy with the shade of your teeth, you can stop. Get the glowing smile you deserve with teeth whitening at Creekview Family Dentistry. To book an appointment, fill out our online form or call our Lewisville, TX dental office at 972-505-3423.