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Teeth Whitening

Getting Your Smile Ready for the Holidays

Getting Your Smile Ready for the Holidays

By | General Dentistry, Teeth Whitening

‘Tis the season to be jolly and smile in what seems like 100s of photos with friends, family and loved ones. Forget ugly Christmas sweaters and beautiful home decor, what’s the one thing that people notice in any photo? Your smile. One thing that you can ask yourself before the holiday season truly picks up is that is your smile holiday ready?

Every smile is beautiful, however, due to some habits, there is a lack of sheen and brightness that makes you conscious of it. Just like any other body part, your teeth too go through wear and tear, which is why they require a boost every now and then. Getting your teeth ready for the holiday involves a simple process; teeth whitening.

Even after a thorough dental regimen, there are chances that you don’t have pearly white teeth and there are many reasons why. Coffee, tea, and wine can stain your teeth, thus removing the shine and luster from what are perfectly healthy teeth. Other factors include plaque and tartar buildup that not only damage your teeth but also affect its shine. 

The teeth whitening procedure can either be done by a dentist or at home. Regardless of which option you choose, it has to begin with a thorough cleaning. After removing all plaque and buildup professionally, the next step is to get that picture-perfect smile, just in time for the holidays!

An at-home-kit involves teeth whitening strips that are not only easy to use but also are highly effective. These strips do need to be prescribed in order for them to be used at home. They typically come in a pack of 10 and brighten your teeth with gradual use. Hence, this is a solution that needs to be executed well before time.

The more professional options include a laser whitening or bleaching, this is typically a 30-90 minute treatment that gives you sparkling white teeth instantly. If you have a holiday party coming up or you want to look your best for your own holiday dinner, this is a safe and fast teeth whitening option.

Regardless of which option you choose, it is important to remember that a smile is truly effective when you’re confident, happy and thriving. Using these treatments are a good way to help you feel comfortable in your own enamel and make the most of the cheerful holiday season, with a smile!

Teeth Whitening Tips

Must-Know Tips after Teeth Whitening

By | General Dentistry, Teeth Whitening

Once you’ve had your teeth whitened you’re going to want to make those pearly whites last as long as possible. Though the process to get your teeth whitened may be quick, and you think the job’s done. The chemicals used will still take some time to act on your teeth fully. 

This means a few adjustments to what you eat and drink daily.

We’ll go through these below so you’re walking around with a stunning smile for the foreseeable future!

The first 24 hours

After you’ve had your teeth whitened. The first 24 hours are crucial and when your teeth are most vulnerable.

During this time it’s important you do the following:

Avoid any staining drinks. This means beverages such as Coffee, Tea, Red Wine, and any colored drinks are off-limits. This applies to both alcohol and nonalcoholic drinks.

The same applies to food and you want to avoid anything that may also stain your teeth. Stay away from foods such as red meat, soy sauce, pasta sauce, chocolate, and most fruits with a lot of natural colors in them. 

A good rule of thumb is if the food or drink can stain a white shirt, then it’s off limits!

On top of what you can eat or drink, you’re not allowed to smoke cigarettes and avoid any toothpaste or mouthwash that’s colored in nature.

After the first 24 hours

After the first 24 hours, your whitened teeth are less sensitive and vulnerable. But this doesn’t let you off the hook, and there are certain food and drinks that are worth avoiding if you’d like the whitening effects to last as long as possible.

When it comes to food, you want to stick to foods that are ‘white’ in nature.

This means you’re eating skinless chicken or turkey meat, fish, pasta, cheese, onions, egg whites, bananas, and yogurt. What’s important to note is you’ll find colored or darker varieties of these such as darker fish meat. You want to try and avoid these colored varieties and stick to the white ones. That red-colored strawberry flavored yogurt is a no-no. 

With drinks, a similar rule applies to help your teeth stay white longer. Go for clear drinks with no added sugars in them. White lemonade, skimmed milk, clear coconut water, and alcohols such as Gin are all okay. 

There are many other ways your white teeth can be stained, so it’s good to put on the lens of a ‘white diet’. If it looks colored and could stain your white shirt then avoid it. Food items can have strong acting color pigments and can alter the results of the whitening chemicals being used on your teeth. 

You’ll want to follow these tips for at least the first 10 to 15 days after treatment. 

After this, the rules can relax a bit but it’s not a bad idea to follow it as closely as possible and invest in oral care products that can help keep your teeth white and remove slight stains.

Schedule your teeth whitening appointment today. We serve patients in the Los Angeles metro area, including Torrance, Marina del Rey, Redondo Beach, South Bay, and other cities.

How the Aging Process Affects Our Teeth

By | Cosmetic Dentistry, General Dentistry, Teeth Whitening

We all know it is a simple fact of life that age impacts our bodies and health in various ways. But many patients at our Manhattan Beach Cosmetic Dentist office are surprised at the effects that aging has on their teeth. There is no way around the fact that your teeth will become darker and more yellow as you age.

Aging and Tooth Whiteness

A common cause of teeth discoloration is dental staining. This can be a result of the foods you eat, drinks you consume, and tobacco use. Beverages like coffee, tea, and cola can darken and stain teeth over time. Dark berries and chocolate may also cause discoloration. However, tobacco use is a primary contributor to cosmetic dental problems.

As if this isn’t enough, natural changes to tooth enamel as we age can make teeth appear dark and dull. As children our teeth are naturally white and bright. Underneath this pristine white tooth enamel is a yellowish layer called dentin.

When you are young, the dental enamel is strong and completely masks the dentin. But as we age this enamel just naturally wears with age. Not only does it become thinner but it also becomes more porous. The porous nature of the enamel begins to attract microscopic food particles. On top of that the thinning of the enamel makes the yellow dentin underneath more noticeable.

Professional Teeth Whitening

Even if you are diligent about taking care of your teeth, you will likely experience these changes since they are just a by-product of the aging process. But this does not mean that you are destined to go through life with a smile that gets duller and more yellow with age. The Manhattan Beach Cosmetic Dentist offers effective cosmetic treatments that will whiten dental enamel quickly and easily.

Teeth whitening is painless, and patients see results after only one or two sessions. If you have dental stains that are resistant to traditional whitening methods you may benefit from dental Lumineers. Lumineers are thin layers of porcelain that are placed directly over dental enamel. Consequently, they can give patients the white teeth they want regardless of the cosmetic problem.

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 dentist for a free consultation. We will be happy to work with you to find the cosmetic treatment that is best for you.

Effects of Aging on Teeth

By | Teeth Whitening

As we all know, it’s just a fact of life that aging has an impact on our health in a number of ways. However, patients at our Manhattan Beach Cosmetic Dentist office are often surprised to learn that aging also has an effect on their teeth. No matter how well you take care of your teeth, there’s no way to get around the fact that your teeth will dull and discolor as you age.

Reasons for Tooth Discoloration

One of the most common reasons for  teeth discoloration is dental staining as a result of consuming beverages like coffee, tea, and cola that darken and stain teeth over time. Dark berries and chocolate may also cause discoloration. However, tobacco use is a primary contributor to cosmetic dental problems.

As if this isn’t enough, natural changes to tooth enamel as we age can make teeth appear dark and dull. As children our teeth are naturally white and bright. Underneath this pristine white tooth enamel is a yellowish layer called dentin. When you are young, the dental enamel is strong and completely masks the dentin. But as we age this enamel just naturally wears with age. Not only does it become thinner but it also becomes more porous. The porous nature of the enamel begins to attract microscopic food particles. On top of that the thinning of the enamel makes the yellow dentin underneath more noticeable.

What You Can Do

Even if you are diligent about taking care of your teeth, you will likely experience these changes since they are just a by-product of the aging process. But this does not mean that you are destined to go through life with a smile that gets duller and more yellow with age. The Manhattan Beach Cosmetic Dentist offers effective cosmetic treatments that will whiten dental enamel quickly and easily.

Teeth whitening is painless, and patients see results after only one or two sessions. If you have dental stains that are resistant to traditional whitening methods you may benefit from dental Lumineers. Lumineers are thin layers of porcelain that are placed directly over dental enamel. Consequently, they can give patients the white teeth they want regardless of the cosmetic problem.

Please Contact Us to Arrange an Appointment

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 dentist for a free consultation. We will be happy to work with you to find the cosmetic treatment that is best for you.

Teeth Whitening Products

By | Teeth Whitening

Have you shopped for over-the-counter teeth whitening products recently, and been completely overwhelmed by the sheer number of products that claim to whiten your teeth? But how do they really stack up against professional teeth whitening treatments? Let’s take a look at some of the most popular over-the-counter products to see how effective they really are.

Teeth Whitening Strips

Whitening strips produce minimal results, but also have other drawbacks. The strips do contain a peroxide-based whitening agent, but it is not as concentrated as those used safely at our Manhattan Beach Cosmetic Dentist office. Also, because they are one-size-fits-all, they only cover the front surface of your teeth, missing the spaces between your teeth. Stains may be reduced over time, but it may take months to see real results.

Whitening Mouth Rinses

Whitening rinses are similar to mouthwashes. They’re effective for killing bacteria, refreshing your breath, and 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 any results. Most consumers report no difference after using, probably because the rinse barely touches your teeth for two minutes a day.

Teeth 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 who will 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.

Please Contact Us for More Information

If you would like more information, or have questions about teeth whitening, please contact our Manhattan Beach Cosmetic Dentist office.

Benefits of Custom Teeth Whitening

By | Teeth Whitening
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 Manhattan Beach Cosmetic Dentist?

Professional Whitening vs. Store-Bought Products

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 professional custom-made tray.
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.

Customized Care and Treatments

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 gumline. 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 by the Manhattan Beach Cosmetic Dentist fits perfectly and is more comfortable for the wearer. This means it’s 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.

Benefits of Sapphire Teeth Whitening

By | Teeth Whitening

There are many reasons for teeth to become dull and discolored. Age and the use of stain-producing food, drink and tobacco are just a few of the factors that can lead to a less-than-dazzling smile. Fortunately, cosmetic dentistry provides many options for whitening your teeth to bring back your radiant smile.

The Cosmetic Dentist Manhattan Beach, California offers the effective Sapphire Teeth Whitening System. This is a bleaching process that is very effective in lightening discolored tooth enamel. One of the benefits of this system is that this is one of the few companies that have incorporated a desensitizing agent into their whitener’s formulation. This feature helps minimize the patient’s potential for post-bleaching sensitivity.

The Sapphire Teeth Whitening Process

Treatment begins by protecting the lips and gums, leaving only the teeth exposed. A hydrogen peroxide-based gel is then applied. The Sapphire procedure uses a light bleaching unit that has been designed to filter out infrared emissions. This feature helps to insure that the teeth being treated don’t become over-heated, which is important for your comfort.

The whitener is usually applied to the teeth in two 30-minute applications. Upper and lower teeth are treated at the same time, and the total time including treatment time is somewhere around 90 minutes.

At-Home Follow Up

The dentist will give you a Sapphire touch-up kit to take home, along with instructions on how the kit should be used. We also advise you to use certain stain-producing foods and beverages in moderation to maintain the whitening effects of the Sapphire treatment.

Is Sapphire Teeth Whitening Right for You?

Before deciding whether Sapphire In-Office teeth whitening is right for you, the Cosmetic Dentist Manhattan Beach, California will conduct a comprehensive examination of your teeth and gums to ensure your overall oral health and discuss your at-home oral hygiene and lifestyle. This will allow us to help you decide on the whitening product or technique that’s best for you.

Teeth Whitening Safety

By | Teeth Whitening
Tooth whitening is one of the easiest and most popular treatments offered by cosmetic dentists today. Professional tooth whitening products can significantly enhance the appearance of your teeth in about one hour. Your dull, or discolored smile can quickly be transformed into a bright, white smile you can be proud of. Manhattan Beach, CA Cosmetic Dentistry will help return your self confidence about your appearance with very little risk and few side effects.

How Does Teeth Whitening Work?

Most professional teeth whitening is performed in the dentist’s office. The process begins when your dentist applies a whitening agent on your teeth, which is left in place for about twenty minutes. Then this whitening agent is removed and re-applied. A tooth whitening session usually lasts about an hour, producing dramatic results and lightening your teeth from five to ten shades.Your dentist may recommend a take-home kit for at-home tooth whitening if more in-depth whitening is needed for resistant staining. If this is the case you will be supplied with special, custom-made trays to wear. The trays are usually worn for 15 minutes at a time twice a day. This process provides a more prolonged exposure to the whitening agent, increasing the odds of removing stubborn or severe staining.

Is Tooth Whitening Safe?

A tooth whitening that is performed by your Manhattan Beach Cosmetic Dentist is very safe. Prior to in-office whitening, your dentist will place a protective gel on your gums and lips. This gel protects sensitive tissues from direct contact with the whitener. In the unlikely event that the whitening product does make some contact with your lips or gums, you may experience some irritation, but it is not severe and will wear off quickly.