October 2018 — Dupont Dental | Washington DC Dentist

Why You May Want Teeth Whitening

Not all types of tooth stains can be removed. For instance, if your tooth is discolored because the nerve has died, whitening won’t change the color of your tooth. However, extrinsic stains can be removed with whitening treatments. Extrinsic stains are stains that affect the outer layer of your enamel. These types of stains are often caused by:

Food: Curry, white and red wine, coffee, tea, and tomato sauce

Smoking

Not sure which type of stain you have? Your dentist will be able to determine if professional tooth whitening treatments are right for you.

Benefits of Professional Versus Over-the-Counter Whitening Treatments

Once you’ve determined that your stains are extrinsic and will, therefore respond to whitening treatments, it’s time to decide: OTC or professional whitening treatments. Over-the-counter options (which include pastes, gels, strips, and general once-size-fits-all trays) are tempting; one quick stop to the drugstore and you’re set.

However, there are a few benefits to opting for professional treatments like the Opalescence at-home treatments. The top benefits include:

More efficient: Professional whitening agents are stronger than OTC whitening agents. This means that each treatment with a professional whitening agent will be more powerful and provide more dramatic results in less time.

More effective: Why opt for a professional tray when you can get a tray at the store? The Opalescence trays are custom-made, which means they will fit against your teeth perfectly. This also means that the whitening agent is applied more thoroughly to your teeth. This results in uniform whitening.

Convenient: With OTC trays, you have to prep the tray, wait for the time to elapse, then remove the tray. During that time, you cannot eat or talk so it can be a hassle if you have family members trying to converse with you. With Opalescence at-home whitening system, you wear your trays to bed. You don’t have to miss out on precious evening time without the ability to talk. Your trays will whiten your teeth while you sleep.

How to Maintain Your Results

Once your teeth are brightened, you can maintain your brilliant results with a few easy care tips:

Avoid foods that stain: If you do indulge in foods like curry or tea, be sure to rinse your mouth with water after eating the stain-inducing food.

Eat foods that clean your teeth: Crunchy raw produce (like celery or apples) can help keep your teeth white by literally scraping away any plaque from your teeth.

Continue to follow a solid oral care routine: Brush twice a day, floss daily, and rinse your mouth with an ADA-approved mouthwash.

Continue to see your dentist regularly for routine cleanings and exams.

Perhaps your dentist has suggested you need a tooth removed, and you’re curious about the tooth extraction process. This guide will walk you through the procedure and the recovery.

Why You Might Need a Tooth Extraction

There are many reasons why you might need a tooth extracted. Common causes include:

Impacted teeth (i.e., wisdom teeth)
Severely decayed or infected tooth
A damaged tooth that cannot be repaired
Crowding (preparing for orthodontic treatment)
Preparation for dentures

During the procedure, your dentist uses forceps to gently rock the tooth until it is freed. If the tooth is below the gum, your dentist must first make a small incision in your gum to reveal the tooth. Some extractions require only local anesthesia while others may benefit from a general.

How Long Is Recovery?

The recovery process varies depending on a few factors including whether or not your tooth had already erupted. If your tooth was below the gum (such as a wisdom tooth), you might have a longer recovery. Your dentist will be able to provide a more specific timeline for your situation, but in general, you can expect the recovery to look like this:

Day 1: Protective blood clots form
Day 2 – 3: Swelling should subside

If you needed stitches, your dentist could remove any remaining stitches about one week after your extraction.

Note: Infections can delay your healing. You can reduce your chance of infection by following all of your dentist’s instructions and keeping your mouth clean.

Can You Eat After a Tooth Extraction?

Immediately after a tooth extraction, you’ll want to hold off on eating until the anesthesia wears off. Otherwise, you might bite your lip or tongue. Once you can eat, stick with soft foods for a few days, and avoid anything that is hard or crunchy. Some tried-and-true foods include:

Applesauce
Mashed potatoes
Egg or ham salad
Soup (but not too hot)
Yogurt
Smoothies and smoothie bowls

What Not to Do

Although recovery from a tooth extraction is fairly straight-forward, there are a few things you should avoid:

Brushing the extraction site
Eating sharp or pointy foods (e.g., tortilla chips)
Swishing (for the first 24 hours)
Using a straw

What is Dry Socket (and How to Prevent It)

After an extraction, your body naturally forms a protective blood clot over the extraction site. This blood clot protects your nerves and bone from being exposed. However, if the blood clot is dislodged, it can lead to a painful condition called dry socket. You can reduce your risk of developing dry socket by avoiding smoking cigarettes and by avoiding straws as those activities can dislodge the clot.

Pain Management

If you feel discomfort after a tooth extraction, you have a few options for pain management. Your dentist might provide a prescription for pain medication if you had a particularly complex extraction. Other options include:

NSAIDs: Take only as directed
Ice packs to reduce swelling: You can even find ice packs that are specially designed for the face
Swish salt water: Combine one teaspoon of salt and one cup of warm water. Swish in your mouth. This will soothe sore gums and help to keep your mouth clean. Do not swish until 24 hours have elapsed after your extraction.

When to Call Your Dentist

Do you need to have a tooth extracted? Do you have questions about the extraction process? Contact us today to learn more or schedule an appointment.

Archive for October 2018

Opalescence Teeth Whitening: Your At-Home Option