- Q: Do most of your patients request whiter teeth?
- A: Ninety-five percent of my patients are displeased with the color of their teeth. The challenge is not the whitening, but educating people on the importance of natural-looking, whiter teeth - most want what I call the "Chiclet Phenomenon".
- Q: What causes tooth discoloration?
- A: Many things, in addition to just simply aging - especially what we eat and drink. Culprits include coffee, tea, cranberry juice, red wine, soda, berries and soy sauce. Smoking is also a cause, long term use of tetracycline and, of course, poor dental hygiene.
- Q: Are there any effective ways to prevent discoloration?
- A: There are ways to minimize it, in addition to bi-annual cleanings, such as:
1. When drinking beverages with a high stain potential, use a straw. It helps because the liquid bypasses the front of the teeth completely.
2. Eating crunchy fruits and vegetables can also minimize the risk of discoloration since they're abrasive and, in essence, "scrub" teeth as you chew.
3. If brushing immediately after eating staining foods is not possible, at least try to rinse the mouth thoroughly.
4. Go easy on your teeth! Strenuous brushing will, over time, wear down the enamel and expose the yellowish/bluish dentin that lies beneath.
- Q: What are the most effective at-home tooth whitening techniques?
- A: There are so many products out there, it can be overwhelming. Whitening tooth pastes can help with stain removal, but they won't actually brighten teeth. And be careful - most consist of abrasives which can wear down enamel and expose dentin. I would recommend using a product with a 10 16or 20carbamide peroxide strength - I sell at-home bleaching kits to my patients and even recommend some at-home recipes.
- Q: What is your preferential in-office technique?
- A: Our preferential treatment for whitening is porcelain veneers, which is the best way to achieve a long lasting, stain-resistant, white but natural looking smile. Porcelain veneers are also the least invasive type of restoration. With our porcelain lab, we have the ability to customize your smile utilizing the very latest in cutting edge technology. The porcelain we use can depict the natural anatomy with our "unique" technique. This allows us to whiten and brighten teeth naturally, painlessly and in as little as two to four days.
- Q: At what age should I bring my child?
- A: The earlier you bring your child the better. At Santa Margarita Dental Group we believe that the sooner your child gets acquainted with the dental office, the more comfortable they will feel about dental treatment. In fact we believe in happy visits. Happy visits are when the child comes to the office just to meet the doctor and become familiar with the new surroundings.