Is Teeth Whitening Safe?
Yes, teeth whitening is very safe, when performed in a controlled manner. For decades, dentists have studied the effects of teeth whitening on teeth, and we have come to the conclusion that teeth whitening is safe for teeth and gums. How Teeth Whitening Affects Your Teeth Teeth whitening typically uses carbamide peroxide, which breaks down into hydrogen peroxide in the mouth. This peroxide attacks the organic molecules that are staining your teeth. It can also penetrate into the pulp, the living material in the middle of your tooth, which can result in sensitivity to temperature changes. This sensitivity occurs for as much as 2/3 of people, and it can last for a few days after a whitening procedure. Some people may also experience irritation of the gums if the whitening compound touches them. Some studies have observed that whitening can potentially erode tooth enamel. The effect hasn’t been observed in all studies, so if it does exist, it is likely very minor, probably less than that seen from drinking a serving of soda. It also seems that your teeth are capable of quickly remineralizing your enamel, so if you balance your whitening with proper oral hygiene and care of your teeth, you can prevent any noticeable damage to your teeth. Safe Teeth Whitening If you want to whiten your teeth safely and effectively, the best way is to work with a dentist. Your dentist knows how to optimize the effectiveness of whiteners safely. Professional whiteners also contain compounds that can help protect your teeth from sensitivity. If you do use at-home teeth whiteners, only use them according to the directions. Never use multiple whitening systems at the same time. It’s especially important to tell your dentist if you’re also using an over-the-counter whitener. If you are looking for safe, effective teeth whitening in Denver, please contact Ascent Dental today.
Can You Fix A Broken Tooth?
Yes. Unlike a broken heart, there’s not one, but several solutions to a broken tooth, depending on how it is broken, and what your personal preferences are. In most cases, we can offer you your choice of solutions for your broken tooth. Minor Broken Tooth If your tooth is only broken a little, just a cosmetic chip, really, we can offer you a couple of good solutions. Dental bonding and porcelain veneers are both good solutions for a minor chipped tooth. Dental bonding is a quick solution and relatively inexpensive. It uses the same composite material we use for tooth-colored fillings to restore the broken part of the tooth. It can be completed in one visit and polished to look like your natural tooth material. Porcelain veneers are an even better solution for a minor chipped tooth. They are custom-crafted from highly durable porcelain, so they look more like natural tooth material and tend to last significantly longer than dental bonding. In the past, porcelain veneers had to be ordered from a dental lab, and you had to wait two weeks or more to get them, but with our CEREC system, we can make a porcelain veneer for a chipped tooth while you wait. Serious Broken Tooth If your tooth is broken so that it’s no longer structurally sound, we’ll probably want to repair it with a dental crown. The crown provides support and protection of your damaged tooth. Essentially, it gives it an entirely new surface, which can give you many years of good service from that tooth. These crowns can also be made with our CEREC system, so you can get your tooth repaired in one day. Sometimes a broken tooth can reveal extensive decay that may require a root canal. You might also require a root canal if you wait too long to have your broken tooth repaired. If you have a broken tooth and are looking for an experienced and compassionate dentist to fix it, please contact Ascent Dental in the Cherry Creek area of Denver today.