Dr. Sarah Po - Family & Cosmetic Dentistry

Archive for Teeth Whitening

Why Do Teeth Get Darker With Age?

Posted by: Dr. Sarah Po | Comments (3)
Tuesday, April 13th, 2010

We cannot stop aging, but we can make the best of it by keeping our smile nice and bright.  Why do teeth get darker with age?

  • Stains from coffee, tea, soda, red wine, and smoking among other things.
  • Fillings on front teeth.  Although these are tooth colored (one would hope!), they can pick up stains over time, showing dark lines between the edge of the filling and your natural tooth.
  • Silver (amalgam) fillings can cause your teeth to have a dull grey color.
  • Teeth grinding, toothbrush abrasion, and normal wear and tear:  as you start to lose the outer enamel layer, the underlying dentin that is naturally yellow starts to show more.

Here’s what you can do about it:

  • Remember to brush and floss daily.  This will help to manage the amount of stain that remains on your teeth from tea, red wine, and other foods.
  • Visit your dentist regularly.  Some stains do not come off easily and require the help of a professional cleaning.  Your dentist can also replace leaking fillings,  suggest gentle brushing techniques to prevent abrasion, and recommend a nightguard if you grind your teeth.
  • Quit smoking!  Not only will this reduce your risk of oral cancer, it will improve your breath tremendously and improve the health of your gums.
  • Teeth whitening.  There are many safe and effective options available for bleaching your teeth.

Thank you for reading.  I encourage you to leave questions or comments below.  To learn more about my practice, please visit www.elitesacramentodentist.com

Your friendly dentist,
Dr. Sarah Po
April 13, 2010

Categories : Cosmetic Dentistry
Comments (3)

Do Whitening Toothpastes Really Work?

Posted by: Dr. Sarah Po | Comments (0)
Tuesday, February 2nd, 2010

Many patients who are interested in whitening their teeth will consider whitening toothpastes.  But do they really whiten your teeth?

Whitening toothpastes contain abrasives which polish the teeth and remove any external stains.  So if your teeth have stains from coffee, tea, soda or tobacco the toothpaste will help to remove those superficial stains.  It is similar to having your teeth polished at your dentist’s office during your cleanings, where they use a polishing paste with similar abrasives.  If the toothpastes contain any bleaching agent at all, the concentration is very minimal and not enough to change the color of your teeth.

So if your objective is to change the intrinsic color of your teeth, your best bet is to try the bleaching options available from your dentist or retail stores.  Your options range from over-the-counter whitening products like Crest whitestrips to in-office bleaching procedures like Zoom.

If you choose to do in-office bleaching, your dentist may recommend using a whitening toothpaste afterwards.  This is mainly to keep your teeth free of external stains and not to change the color of your teeth.

Thank you for reading.  I encourage you to leave comments or questions below.  To learn more about my practice, click on the link www.elitesacramentodentist.com

Your friendly dentist,
Dr. Sarah Po
Feb. 2, 2010

Categories : Teeth Whitening
Comments (0)

Teeth Whitening – Is it for you?

Posted by: Dr. Sarah Po | Comments (4)
Wednesday, January 13th, 2010

In my practice, 9 out of 10 new patients who come in are interested in some type of cosmetic dentistry, whether it be teeth whitening, straightening or veneers.  Many have already tried some type of over-the-counter whitening products such as Crest Whitestrips.  Hollywood has played a major role in promoting cosmetic dentistry.  Look through any of the tabloid rags or fashion magazines and you will see smiles with very white and straight teeth, many of which are cosmetically enhanced.

Teeth whitening or bleaching is one of the easiest and least expensive ways to transform your smile.

Having said that, who IS a candidate for whitening?

Patients with unrestored (ie. no fillings, crowns) front teeth and premolars respond best to whitening.  This is because only natural tooth structure will respond to the bleaching process.  It is also very important that the patient have healthy gums.  If you simply want to brighten your smile and are happy with the shape and alignment of your teeth, and you meet the above criteria, then you are a good candidate.

Who is NOT a good candidate for whitening?

  • Children under the age of 16.  For these young people, the pulp chamber of the teeth is still quite large and easily irrated, and bleaching can cause the teeth to become very sensitive.
  • Pregnant or nursing women.  The concern here is primarily about the chemicals used in teeth-whitening products, some of which could be swallowed, and their potential effect on a fetus.
  • Very sensitive teeth.  The whitening process can make already-sensitive teeth even worse.  Consult your dentist about your sensitive teeth before considering whitening.
  • Cavities and gum disease.  Any active disease must be treated prior to whitening.
  • Fillings, crowns, veneers, or other restorations.  If your teeth already have fillings, crowns, or veneers, keep in mind that these materials do not whiten.  Therefore, any whitening procedure should be done prior to the placement of any restorations.  This will ensure the best match to your new tooth color.

There are many ways to do teeth whitening, ranging from at-home products with custom trays, to in-office procedures such as Zoom.  As with any dental procedure, consult with your dentist to determine what strategy would work best for you.

Your friendly dentist,
Dr. Sarah Po

Categories : Cosmetic Dentistry, Teeth Whitening
Comments (4)
Subscribe to Elite Sacramento Dentist

Get the latest updates delivered via email

Dr. Sarah Po Facebook Dr. Sarah Po Tweeter Dr. Sarah Po RSS Feed