As we get older we deal with a lot of changes to our bodies as well as our general health. These are often changes that we just have to live with. But patients of the San Bruno Cosmetic Dentist are seeing a dramatic difference in the appearance of their smile with some fairly simple cosmetic dental treatments.

Many of us don’t think about it until we take a really good look at ourselves in the mirror, but aging can have an impact on the appearance of our teeth. There is simply no way around the fact that your teeth will lose their original luster and become more yellow-looking as you age.
 
Staining of dental enamel is a common cause of teeth discoloration. This staining can result from the foods you eat, the types of beverages you drink, and tobacco use. Beverages like red wine, coffee, tea, and cola will darken and stain teeth your teeth. Tobacco use is a primary contributor to cosmetic dental problems.
 
As we age, changes to tooth enamel can also make teeth appear dark and dull. Children’s teeth are naturally white and bright, but underneath this pristine white tooth enamel is a yellowish layer called dentin. The dentin is not apparent in children because their teeth have not been exposed to the same wear and tear as adults.
 
But as we age this enamel just naturally wears thin. Not only does it become thinner but it also becomes more porous. This allows the dental enamel to attract microscopic food particles. In addition, thinning of the enamel makes the yellow dentin underneath more noticeable. Fortunately, however, the San Bruno Cosmetic Dentist offers effective treatments that will whiten dental enamel quickly and easily.
 
Teeth whitening is painless, and patients see results after only one or two sessions. You don’t have to live with a smile that is less than dazzling even though some tooth discoloration is natural. If you’re concerned about the impact the aging process is having on your smile, contact our office for a free consultation. We will be happy to work with you to find the cosmetic treatment that is best for you.

People spend millions of dollars every year on over-the-counter teeth whitening products. They certainly seem to be a quick and inexpensive solution for whitening your teeth. But are these products really effective when compared to a custom teeth whitening treatment by the San Bruno Cosmetic Dentist?

Let’s start with one of the most popular whitening products being sold today. A home whitening tray kit purchased over-the-counter may claim to provide a custom fit. But a plastic tray from a kit purchased at your grocery store is simply not going to give you the same fit as a tray that is custom-made by the San Bruno Cosmetic Dentist.

Why is the fit so important? If you’ve ever tried whitening your teeth and had the bleaching gel come in contact with your gums, you already know the answer. It’s very important to minimize the contact of any bleaching agent with sensitive gum tissue because that stinging sensation you feel is not your only problem. Sensitive gum tissue that is frequently exposed to the chemical agents in teeth whitening kits can be more prone to serious gum problems like periodontal disease and gingivitis.

In order to provide a customized teeth whitening tray that fits your teeth perfectly, your dentist will take an impression of your teeth. The resulting custom-made tray is trimmed to cover the entire surface stopping just short of the gum line.  This special contouring not only protects the sensitive gum tissue but also eliminates irritation caused by tray edges rubbing against the gum line.

A custom-fit whitening tray can also provides full contact with the entire tooth surface. This results in a uniform whitening of the teeth since the bleaching agent stays in contact with the whole tooth for the duration of the treatment time. A tray that is designed to fit perfectly is also more comfortable for the wearer and more likely to be worn for the recommended time needed to achieve desired results.

Contact our office if you’re interested in learning more about the ways in which a customized teeth whitening treatment can help you obtain a great, sparkling smile. We will help you decide if you’re a better candidate for an in-office teeth whitening such as the Sapphire Whitening System or a customized, take-home bleaching kit.

Lately it seems the media is flooded with claims about which teeth whitening products are the most effective. Patients visiting our San Bruno Cosmetic Dentist office asking about claims they’ve seen on a commercial that states, “If you’re not whitening, you’re yellowing.” Is that true? The easy answer is yes and no.

The outer layer of your teeth is enamel. This enamel protects the inner dentin. When you’re young, this enamel is at its optimal density. As you age, this hard surface takes a beating. Smoking, acidic foods and discoloring agents like coffee and red wine all contribute to the deterioration of dental enamel.Your teeth also become more porous as you age, allowing these causative agents a greater opportunity to penetrate and destroy tooth enamel.

Lying under tooth enamel is dentin, the calcified tissue that surrounds and protects the root and pulp of your tooth. Dentin naturally has a yellowish color. As tooth enamel deteriorates and becomes porous, the underlying dentin becomes more apparent. The result is that your teeth begin to take on a dull, yellowish appearance. As you age and indulge in foods and beverages, the breakdown of the outer enamel continues and the dentin becomes more apparent.

In reality, teeth whitening is unrelated to teeth yellowing. You can use any number of teeth whitening products and see some positive results. However, you can do far more to help keep your teeth white and bright by avoiding those foods and beverages that seep into and discolor your tooth enamel.

It’s important o understand that tooth enamel cannot be restored. There are no teeth whitening products or procedures that will make enamel magically “grow back.” When it’s gone, it’s gone. But you can avoid the appearance of yellow teeth. Be proactive in protecting this vital component of your teeth by being aware of the types of foods you consume. Reduce consumption of acidic foods like soda, energy drinks, juice, wine, and citrus fruits. Smoking and using tobacco products also cause significant damage to dental enamel.
 
Professional teeth whitening can produce amazing results. The team at our San Bruno Cosmetic Dentistry office specializes in this procedure and can guide you to the alternative that will produce the best result for you. Contact our office to arrange for a visit to discuss these alternatives and achieve the bright smile you’ve always wanted.

There’s a huge selection of tooth whitening tray kits available in your supermarket.  But did you know that choosing a customized at-home tooth whitening kit from a qualified cosmetic dentist may prevent other dental issues arising from the use of over-the-counter whitening agents?

 

Home whitening tray kits cannot provide the exact fit obtained when using a custom made whitening tray provided by your dentist.  A custom tray is designed to minimize the contact of bleaching gel with gum tissue.  Trays that don’t fit properly can also cause irritation when the edge of a bleaching tray rubs against the gums.

 

When custom bleaching trays are used gum irritation can be kept to a minimum, helping to protect you against more serious gum issues (periodontitis, gingivitis) down the road. For this reason a custom-fit whitening tray is most important in instances where a relatively higher concentration whitener is being used. In order to provide a perfect-fitting customized tray, your San Bruno Tooth Whitening Dentist takes an impression of your teeth. The resulting custom-made tray is trimmed so that it covers the entire surface of each tooth, falling just short of the gum line. This special contouring not only protects the sensitive gum tissue but also eliminates irritation caused by tray edges rubbing against the gum line.

 

The fit of a custom-molded tray from your cosmetic dentist has other advantages:

 

Contact with the entire tooth surface: A uniform whitening effect is best achieved when the whitener being used remains in contact with the entire surface of a tooth.

Proper tray retention: It’s important that the whitening tray stay in place for maximum whitening action.  A custom-fabricated tray can virtually guarantee this type of fit.

 

Contact San Bruno Cosmetic Dentistry to determine if you’re a better candidate for an in-office whitening procedure such as the Sapphire Whitening System or a customized, take-home bleaching kit. Your cosmetic dentist is highly trained and dedicated to your overall oral health as well as helping you achieve a brighter smile.

If you’ve shopped for over-the-counter tooth whitening products lately, you were probably overwhelmed by the number of products available that claim to whiten your teeth. But how effective are they in reality? Let’s take a look at some of the more popular products on the market today and see how they stack up.

 

Whitening Strips

Whitening strips purchased at your local pharmacy have drawbacks. They do contain a peroxide-based whitening agent, but it is not nearly as potent as those safely used in our San Bruno Cosmetic Dentist office. Also, whitening strips only touch the front surface of your teeth, missing the spaces between your teeth. Though it is possible to remove stains over time with whitening strips it may take months to see any significant results.

 

Whitening Rinses

Whitening Rinses are similar to mouthwashes. They kill bacteria, refresh your breath and may help remove plaque. Unlike mouthwashes, whitening rinses contain hydrogen peroxide. Manufactures advise you to rinse your mouth twice a day for one minute each and state that it may take 12 weeks to see results. Most consumers report no difference after using, probably because the rinse barely touches your teeth for two minutes a day.

 

Whitening Gels

Whitening gels are clear, peroxide-based gels applied directly to the surface of your teeth. Instructions generally call for twice a day application for 14 days. Initial results are seen in a few days and final results are sustained for about four months. However, application can be difficult since teeth are required to be completely free of saliva before use.

 

Whether you choose a home whitening treatment option or an in-office whitening procedure such as the Sapphire Whitening System, you should consult with your dentist first. Our San Bruno, CA Cosmetic Dentist can examine your teeth and determine if there are any underlying issues with your teeth or gums that would cause problems as a result of using over-the-counter whitening agents.