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.

An increasing number of patients in my practice are reporting a problem with dry mouth. This condition is termed "xerostomia." Xerostomia can be a side effect of the medications a person is taking for illnesses such as high blood pressure, anxiety, depression, allergies, weight loss, Parkinson's disease, pain and many more. However, there are many other factors that contribute to a decrease in salivary production including the aging process, radiation treatments and depression.

 

At San Bruno Dental Medicine we know that, aside from being annoying, the symptoms of dry mouth can cause significant dental hygiene problems. Saliva is the body’s natural cleansing mouth rinse.  Each time we swallow, saliva washes away bacteria, as well as the food and debris on which they feed. Saliva contains compounds that kill bacteria in the mouth, and without proper dental hygiene dry mouth enhances the conditions for bacterial growth (and associated periodontal disease) as the ability to neutralize bacterial waste products is reduced.

 

If you’re experiencing chronic dry mouth and you suspect that it may be due to medication, consult with your medical doctor who may be able to adjust your dosage to help alleviate the problem. Some other steps you can take to reduce symptoms are:

• Using sugar-free candy or gum
• Drinking plenty of water to help keep your mouth moist
• Using a vaporizer to add moisture to the air in your bedroom
• Using an artificial saliva substitute available at your pharmacy

 

The reduction in saliva production leads to the very conditions on which the bacteria in your mouth thrive, allowing bacteria lingering at the gumline and between teeth to cause serious damage, periodontal disease or gingivitis. Since patients with Xerostomia (dry mouth) are at increased risk for periodontal disease, good dental hygiene - brushing regularly with fluoride toothpaste, using a fluoride rinse, and visiting your San Bruno California Dental Office frequently for cleanings and examinations - are critically important to your oral health.