Dental Cafe

OK, You’re at your dental appointment, your fear level has dropped from a 10 to a 4 anxiety level and you feel that you are now ready to sit in the dental chair. I applaud you! You are not as sensitive to the noise of the handpiece (drill) as you once were, you have brought your favorite music with you to your appointment and you don’t feel the anxiousness you once felt while sitting in the chair. You have worked hard on your fear of dentistry. You're on your way to the new smile you have always wanted. So, what's next?

It’s the holiday season, and everyone wants to look good for special events and holiday photos. One thing that a lot of people contemplate this time of year is bleaching their teeth. It’s gotten to be part of tradition, like getting a haircut or pulling out a favorite holiday recipe.

As I’m surfing the Internet, I see tooth-whitening ads popping up all over the place. They all proclaim that a person can have whiter teeth at a fraction of the cost of going to the dentist.

There are some good at-home, over-the-counter products, but that’s not the whole story. Going to the dentist before you decide which whitening product to use is what really saves you money (and possibly your health) in the long run.

What do I mean? Tooth-whitening isn’t quite as simple as it looks in those before-and-after photos. For example, did you know whitening doesn’t work on caps and crowns? You have to be careful to match your whitening to the shades of those kinds of restorations. and dentists know how to do this)

Your teeth are living tissue, like your bones. Even the gentlest bleaching agents can harm the teeth in certain situations. For example, if your teeth have any untreated cracks or cavities—and sometimes certain old fillings—the whitening agent could end up getting past the enamel and hit the nerve of your tooth. That could cause major damage to your teeth—and your wallet. Some folks have gum tissue that’s just too sensitive to be exposed to whitening products.

Bottom line: Just because something worked for someone else doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the best choice for you.

Plus, there are a lot of questions to ask:

• Am I a candidate for tooth whitening?

• How strong should the stuff be that’s going on my teeth?

• Trays or strips?

• Daytime or nighttime treatments?

• How long will it take?

• What are the potential side effects, and how bad can they be?

• Will I have sensitivity? If so, what can I do about it?

• Does drinking red wine or coffee affect bleaching? What about smoking?

• How soon will I need to bleach again?

• How white is too white when it comes to teeth?

So it’s a good idea to check in with your dentist before you start working on your soon-to-be-pearly-whites. Your dentist is the one who best knows your teeth, inside and out. They know not everyone can afford in-office treatments, so most dentists now have a recommended set of at-home tooth-whitening systems. They may also have tips to make the process safer, easier and more comfortable. So let them put that knowledge to work for you—it’s the first step toward a brighter smile.

Patty Hanson has spent more than 20 years in the dental profession. Her business, dental applause LLC, helps patients overcome their dental fears through a personalized coaching program. Her techniques are proven to reduce anxiety, make the patient/doctor experience more enjoyable and give people something to really smile about.

Copyright 2009

 1. Is your child’s fruit a team player or a solo star? Fruit is a great choice for your kids at lunchtime and for snacks―but some fruits shouldn’t be eaten alone. Citrus fruits (oranges, lemons and limes) contain acids that can cause damage to tooth enamel over time, so your kids should learn to make them team players―they should eat them along with something else. If the citrus fruit is eaten at the end of a snack or meal, more saliva is naturally produced and the acids are washed away more quickly.

2. Do the Swish. It’s not just for basketball: If your child doesn’t have the time to brush or floss at school, then they can use the swish trick. Think S S S―Sip, Swish, Swallow. This technique releases food particles that stick to and around teeth. (Chewing sugarless gum can also help, but not every school likes their students chomping away during class!)

3. Let your child travel in dental style. Purchase a soft, travel-size toothbrush with a cover for your child to stash in their backpack. A mini tube of toothpaste can go in there as well, ready for when your child has a chance to brush up when they’re on the go.

4. Be ready for the fallout. Some children, depending on age, will be losing their teeth during the school year. If your child is worried about losing a tooth in school, you can help by providing them with a small container or zippered bag to capture the rascal when it finally shakes loose. Let them know what to expect and they’ll be looking forward to a visit from the tooth fairy.

5. Water, water everywhere. Both you and your kids should drink lots of water―try to stay away from acidic sodas and sugary fruit juices (or consider diluting them). If water is not the first choice, make it a second one by ending with an H20 swish.

Remember: A Healthy Mouth Today Means a Bright Smile for Tomorrow!

Copyright 2009