Category: Bleaching/Whitening

Don’t Be Fooled By These 5 Teeth Whitening Myths

By Dr. Elizabeth Eggert

There is plenty of information out there about teeth whitening and plenty of companies that offer the ‘perfect’ product to do the job. As the consumer, the challenge lies in weeding through all the information to get to facts and letting all the myths and unsupported claims fall by the wayside. At Eggert Family Dentistry, we believe that you deserve accurate information so you can make the best decision for your smile so we want to debunk 5 common myths regarding teeth whitening.

Myth #1: Teeth whitening will damage your enamel.
Busted! As opposed to wearing away outer enamel and revealing a fresh layer of enamel below, professional whitening opens up the pores of your teeth and diffuses oxygen into the tooth so the light scatters differently and everything appears whiter.. No damage is caused to enamel in this process.

Myth #2: Teeth whitening causes extreme sensitivity.
Busted! Although minor sensitivity isn’t uncommon, there are some proactive measures you can take to lessen the likelihood of this occurrence. For a couple weeks prior to having your teeth whitened, brushing with toothpaste for sensitive teeth helps guard your teeth against possible sensitivity from professional whitening. There are also daily mouthwashes that can reduce sensitivity. Extreme sensitivity should never occur from a professional whitening procedure.

Myth #3: DIY whitening products are comparable to the dentist’s whitening products.
Busted! Rubbing acidic fruits on your teeth or using baking soda on your toothbrush will lead to enamel erosion, hydrogen peroxide can be harsh on enamel and gums and there is no clear scientific evidence to support the use of activated charcoal to brighten your smile.

Myth #4: Whitening will make your teeth look unnatural.
Busted! There is a finite level of whiteness your teeth can achieve and that depends on the original shade of your teeth. Whitening your teeth is the most natural way to a brighter smile since the enamel stays intact and the light will still scatter from your teeth in a natural manner.

Myth #5: Once teeth are whitened the results are permanent.
Busted! Professional teeth whitening results can easily be maintained, but the maintenance you do will determine the longevity of your results. We recommend doing some maintenance monthly, which may simply mean one overnight treatment each month. Everyone’s whitening diffuses at different rates so your maintenance schedule may be more rigorous, but we will help you determine what will be best for you!.

At Eggert Family Dentistry, we offer several effective and safe teeth whitening treatments right in our office. If you would like more information about teeth whitening or any of the other services we provide, we would love to connect! You can give us a call at 651.482.8412 or contact us to schedule your consultation!

Dentistry for a Lifetime of Smiles

By: Dr. Elizabeth Eggert

According to a study by international healthcare group Bupa, 42% of the 2000 people surveyed said that their smile is the first thing they would change about themselves and a little over a third of the surveyed group said they’re embarrassed by their smile. What’s more? Orthodontics Limited reports that teeth are second only to weight when it comes to things people feel insecure about. Fortunately, at Eggert Family Dentistry, there are a plethora of ways you can choose to improve your smile. Let’s take a closer look at 5 popular smile-enhancing options that we offer at our clinic!

Tooth Whitening: Over time, due to poor brushing habits and consumption of acidic and richly-hued foods and beverages, teeth become yellowed and dull. Tooth whitening is a safe and cost-effective procedure that brings back brilliance to your pearly whites. While historically triggering nerve sensitivity, today’s whitening agents contain fluoride and other desensitizing agents which reduce the risk of sensitivity. If properly maintained, the positive effects of tooth whitening can last for a number of years. It’s important to keep in mind that anything that can stain a white shirt can stain your smile. Ensuring thorough brushing after consumption of stain-inducing foods and beverages will extend the life of your tooth whitening procedure.

Bonding: This is an effective way to fill in gaps in your teeth – particularly the unsightly gaps in the front of your mouth – as well as whitening yellowing or darkening teeth. The results from bonding are immediate and stunning. As with teeth whitening, however, it is important to practice good oral habits in order to avoid new staining and discoloration from foods and beverages.

Porcelain Veneers: While the term may conjure up images of fragile dolls and china, porcelain veneers are actually incredibly strong and durable. These veneers are thin pieces of porcelain that are applied directly to your natural teeth for the purpose of changing their size, shape or color or to repair fractured teeth or improve the appearance of a crooked smile. This entire procedure can be accomplished in as little as two visits with Dr. Elizabeth or Dr. Jeff. Many people choose porcelain veneers simply to feel and look younger with a straighter, whiter smile!

Crowns: Crowns thoroughly cover a tooth in order to give the tooth the protection it needs to function correctly or for the purpose of changing its size, shape or color. We are fortunate to be able to complete crowns in only one visit in our office with our CEREC crown procedure.

Invisalign®: As we’ve highlighted in recent posts, Invisalign® is a fantastic alternative to braces for many teens and adults. With the use of transparent, low-profile aligner trays, teeth can be straightened and improper bites corrected. This procedure is typically more comfortable, less visible and takes less time than teeth straightening and bite correction with traditional metal braces.

If you long for a confident smile and are considering any of these great smile-enhancing options, please contact our office. We would love to consult with you and provide you with a treatment plan that is right for you!

10 Common Foods and Beverages That Stain Your Teeth

By: Dr. Elizabeth Eggert

Let’s face it. No one wants discolored teeth. A less than sparkling smile can be socially awkward and put a huge dent in our self-confidence. We think if we find the perfect toothpaste and commit to brushing, flossing and rinsing with mouthwash with more vigilance then maybe, just maybe, we can counteract the yellowing and staining. The reality is, although each of these components of dental care are incredibly important, we do ourselves a disservice if we don’t look at one of the main culprits of dental discoloration – our diet.
Here is a list of 10 of the top foods and beverages that may be working against our pearly white smiles…

1. Soda
We love our pop but the sugar and acid it contains don’t love our teeth. Even diet soda is highly acidic and can erode the enamel on our teeth – exposing the yellow tissue behind it. Most soda also contains artificial colors that cause staining. If you can’t kick the habit altogether consider sipping it through a straw to minimize the acidic effect.

2. Tomatoes
Tomatoes and tomato-based sauces are highly acidic – to the point where many people experience acid-reflux after consuming them! Your teeth are not immune to the effect of this acid. Tomatoes also have a deep, reddish hue which stains everything it comes into contact with – clothing, carpet and teeth included! If you’re concerned about yellowing teeth, minimizing tomato-based products will pay dividends in the dental department.

3. Tea
Tea is a healthy alternative to soda but comes with its own dental challenges! Not only is tea acidic but it contains tannins, or plant-based compounds, which make your teeth a magnet for staining. It’s helpful to rinse your mouth with water after a cup of tea or consider adding milk to your tea – the casein component of which can reduce acid and counteract the staining effect.

4. Beets
Although highly-nutritious, beets are also deeply pigmented. Consider pairing them with cheese to experience the stain-fighting benefit of casein!

5. Citrus
Citrus is well-known as highly-acidic (citric acid, anyone?). Citrus fruits, while nutrient-rich, are enamel enemies much like soda, working to break it down and expose the yellow tissue, or dentin, under it.

6. Wine
It is a common misconception that only red wines cause dental staining and decay on account of their rich pigmentation. Red wines contain much higher levels of tannins but both red and white wines are highly acidic and the acid from both red and white wine can intensify staining. A helpful tip? Enjoy hard foods such as nuts with your glass of wine to scrub away plaque and increase saliva production which helps neutralize acid.

7. Curry
If you love Indian food but also love your sparkling smile try and minimize your consumption of these beautifully-hued spices and drink plenty of water with your meal.

8. Coffee
Coffee contains both tannins and chromogens, or natural dyes, and is very acidic. As with tea, consider adding milk to your coffee to counteract staining.

9. Berries
Who doesn’t love fresh berries? They are nutritious, delicious and beautiful. Beware of their staining effect, however, and avoid berry-based jams and juices which have added sugar and compound the negative effect on your teeth.

10. Popsicles
Don’t be fooled into believing that popsicles are a benign go-to for snacking. They often contain artificial colors and are actually loaded with sugar (processed or natural) which sticks to your teeth and creates a breeding ground for discoloration.

If you are concerned about your smile and want to ensure proper care, Eggert Family Dentistry would love to help! We would be happy to assist you with a routine check up and cleaning or a professional teeth whitening treatment. Please don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions you may have!

 

3 Zoom Whitening Success Stories

By: Dr. Elizabeth Eggert

This spring, Eggert Family Dentistry offered a promotion through this very newsletter and on Facebook for a discounted rate on Philips Zoom whitening. Zoom whitening is an in-office procedure that can instantly whiten your teeth 4 to 10 shades in less than two hours. The appointment consists of four 15-minute treatment sessions, after which we send you home with at-home whitening trays to maintain your bright results.

We had an overwhelming response to this promotion and were happy to see so many of our patients achieve amazing results using Zoom whitening! Check out the testimonials and before and after photos of three lucky patients who wanted to show you what your smile can look like with Zoom!

Alan’s Zoom Whitening Success Story
Alan said that he was hesitant about doing Zoom whitening. He wasn’t certain the results would be worth it. After seeing his results, though, Alan said he would definitely recommend Zoom whitening to anyone considering the procedure, saying, “It was worth it!”
Alan Zoom Before After SmileAlan Zoom Before After Teeth
Roxanne’s Zoom Whitening Success Story
Roxanne told us that before her appointment, she was really excited about doing Zoom whitening. Afterwards, she said she was definitely happy that her teeth looked so “clean and fresh.” Her advice for anyone considering Zoom? “Do it!”

Roxanne Zoom Before & After
Jim’s Zoom Whitening Success Story
Before his appointment, Jim said he was somewhat “leery” of Zoom whitening and wasn’t sure how much of a difference he would be able to see in the shade of his teeth. However, Jim said he was “amazed” after seeing the difference in his smile and was very pleased with his results!

Jim ZoomJim Zoom BeforeThanks for sharing your stories, Alan, Roxanne, and Jim! We’re so glad you’re happy with your Philips Zoom whitening results!

To schedule your Zoom whitening consultation, contact Eggert Family Dentistry today.

3 DIY Teeth Whitening Myths, Busted

By: Dr. Elizabeth Eggert

DIY teeth whitening mythsDo-it-yourself teeth whitening remedies are often championed as cheap, all-natural ways to get your pearly whites as bright as possible. But are DIY methods using ingredients from your medicine cabinet or kitchen pantry really effective alternatives to professional teeth whitening at Eggert Family Dentistry? Here are three of the top teeth whitening myths we’ve heard at the office, busted.

  1. Turmeric and coconut oil can whiten my smile.

Nope. Turmeric may be delicious in Middle Eastern dishes and coconut oil is a healthy fat, but neither are effective at whitening your smile. There is no scientific evidence that turmeric, coconut oil, or other spices or oils can whiten your teeth.

  1. Citrus fruits can whiten teeth.

Citrus fruits can brighten your countertops, so why not your teeth? Lemons, oranges, and apple cider vinegar add fresh odors to your kitchen, but they have no ability to whiten your smile, and can actually do damage to your pearly whites. Vinegars and citrus fruits contain acids that wear away tooth enamel, leaving your teeth more sensitive and at risk for tooth decay.

  1. I can whiten my teeth by giving them a scrub.

This one makes us cringe a little. Scrubs made of abrasive material such as baking soda and activated charcoal are much too abrasive to use on your teeth and do nothing to whiten your smile. In fact, when you scrub your teeth with very abrasive materials, you can make your teeth even more yellow. That’s because the scrubs wear away your teeth’s tough white enamel, exposing the softer, yellow dentin below.

Effective alternatives to these bogus teeth whitening tactics.

Fortunately, there are effective ways to whiten your teeth that won’t harm your enamel, and some of them are completely free. Limit foods that cause stains in the first place, including coffee, tea, and red wine. Don’t start smoking or chewing tobacco, and if you do, quit.

Brushing your teeth twice a day with an ADA-approved whitening toothpaste and flossing daily can keep stains at bay, too. In addition, visit us regularly for recare visits. At Eggert Family Dentistry, we offer several effective and safe teeth whitening treatments right in our office. Contact us to schedule your FREE whitening consultation today.

Is In-Office Philips Zoom Teeth Whitening Right for You?

By: Dr. Elizabeth Eggert

Philips Zoom Teeth Whitening SystemThinking about whitening your teeth? You’re not alone. In a survey, the American Association of Orthodontists found a whopping 90 percent of patients ask about teeth whitening. If you’re after a whiter, brighter smile, you have several options, from whitening toothpaste and at-home whitening strips to professional deep bleaching. How do you know which product or procedure is right for you?

At Eggert Family Dentistry, our patients often ask what their teeth whitening options are and if the at-home strips are a good option. While teeth whitening strips are possibly less expensive, easy to buy, and require no appointment, you do get what you pay for. Whitening strips can cause tooth sensitivity, irritate your gums, and are not effective at removing stains with gray or brown undertones.

Our Favorite Professional Teeth Whitening System

We offer a variety of teeth whitening and bleaching options at Eggert Family Dentistry, including professional strips and whitening trays that are gentler on your teeth and gums and more effective than what you can buy at the drugstore.

But one of our favorite options for fast and effective teeth whitening for most people is the Philips Zoom Teeth Whitening system. Our patients love the immediate results they see from their single, 90-minute appointment at our office. It is common for the Zoom system to lighten teeth 4 to 10 shades.

We love the Zoom Teeth Whitening system because it is very safe for our patients. Also, with the new LED light, there is virtually no sensitivity, unlike most over-the-counter options. The Zoom system is gentle on your smile and adjusts in intensity for your comfort.

Your Zoom Teeth Whitening In-Office Procedure

In our initial consultation, we’ll confirm if you’re a good candidate for the Zoom Teeth Whitening system. Your 90-minute teeth whitening appointment consists of some minor preparation, four 15-minute treatments, and post-treatment consultation to reveal the results and train you about any post-treatment home care that’s appropriate, including at-home whitening trays and sensitivity management education

We are excited to offer to the first 15 patients to respond to this link a free whitening consultation. If it is determined that you are a good Zoom candidate, you will be able to experience the Zoom Whitening system for HALF OFF at only $300 (normally a $600 value). Hurry! This offer expires May 15, 2017.

Ready to show off a whiter, brighter smile? The dentists at Eggert Family Dentistry can help! Contact us today to schedule your consultation.

A KöR Whitening Deep Bleaching™ System Success Story

By: Dr. Elizabeth Eggert

Whiter teeth can make a profound change in your appearance, your confidence, and your life!

The KöR Whitening Deep Bleaching™ System whitens teeth dramatically, and is considered to be the most reliable and effective bleaching system. It works by restoring your teeth’s ability to absorb oxygen. The oxygen from the whitening gel is absorbed deeply into the tooth, dissolving stain molecules and changing how the tooth reflects light. KöR can often lighten teeth sixteen shades or more.

Have you tried other bleaching system and are you cautious about pain? Look no further. In most cases, the KöR Whitening Deep Bleaching™ System produces low, to no, sensitivity. Typically, most patients have no discomfort at all!

Marianne is our latest KöR Whitening Deep Bleaching™ System success story. Marianne has a vibrant personality and wanted dazzling teeth to reflect her zest for life. Through the very simple KöR Whitening Deep Bleaching™ System process, Marianne went from:

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to:

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The process is easy:

  • First, we’ll examine and take impressions of your teeth
  • Your bleaching trays are fabricated directly by KöR
  • When your trays are ready, we apply a conditioning formula to your teeth in-office
  • You then leave our office with an “At Home Kit:” your trays, KöR bleaching gel, and desensitizer
  • You will use your trays nightly until we love your new shade
  • The best news is that with your custom maintenance program, you can permanently keep your pearly white smile

Whether your teeth are dull from coffee, tea, red wine, or EVEN tetracycline staining, the KöR Whitening Deep Bleaching™ System is right for you. This process is perfect for ages 14 and older, and is entirely safe for your teeth and gums. Unlike so many other ill-fitting bleaching systems, the trays used in this process are thin and perfectly form-fitting. You’ll even forget they’re in your mouth. Bleach is sealed inside the tray, preventing gel from leaking into your mouth.

So, if you’re looking for a beautiful, healthy, and natural looking smile, Eggert Family Dentistry can help. Give us a call today and start moving toward a brighter looking tomorrow! 651-482-8412