Baton Rouge Dentist

Can Teeth Get Too White?

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Many people understand the concept behind teeth whitening. They know that our teeth collect stains through the years. The now that teeth take on pigments from coffee, some fruits, wine, and other pigmented sources. They also believe teeth whitening removes the stains. However that is a misconception.

Teeth Whitening Bleaches the Natural Pigment in Your Teeth

While teeth whitening removes the pigmented stains, it also removes the natural pigment in your teeth. This can be illustrated by explaining shade guides.

Teeth Whitening and Shade Guides

In dental school, dentists learn about shade guides, a tool with a full spectrum of natural teeth colors which a dentist may see in natural teeth. When he or she needed to match a patient’s natural tooth color for a crown, or some sort of unnatural tooth, the dentist could always refer to the shade guide.

vita-shade-guide

Teeth whitening gained momentum in the 1990s. When people would be in need of porcelain crowns, the color of their natural teeth would be much whiter than that on the shade guide, because they’d been whitening their teeth. Therefore, the manufacturers had to adjust the guide, to allow for the whitened colors.

vita-shade-guide-bleached-extension

Experienced cosmetic dentists will use the revised shade guide, as they often have clients who have teeth whitening done on their teeth. However, general dentists typically only consult the original shade guide. Therefore, a patient who has had his or her teeth whitened, who visits a general dentist, with less cosmetic experience, runs the risk of crowns or veneers not matching the natural pigment in their teeth, because even the whitest shade on the guide could still be darker than whitened teeth.

The Amount of Whitening Caused By Teeth Whitening

The results of dental studies indicate that the longer your whiten your teeth, the whiter they will become. However, the longer someone uses the bleaching gel, the amount of whitening will actually begin to decrease, causing most people to hit a point where they stop. Some people will whiten their teeth to the point that they seem to glow. It is all a matter of preference.

This blog post was provided by the office of Baton Rouge teeth whitening dentist, Dr. Ryan Perry.

Can lemons make my teeth whiter?

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I am interested in whitening my teeth and have been researching ways to do it myself. The more natural options continue to appeal to me. My teeth aren’t in terrible condition, but I would be happy if they were a little brighter. The lemon and orange method to whitening continues to jump out at me. They say if you use the essential oils in these fruits, or rub the peels on your teeth daily, the method works as a whitening agent. How does this help? What causes the fruit to whiten my teeth?

Thanks,
Carrie

Dear Carrie,
While this, indeed, is a solution promoted by natural health resources, it can cause permanent damage to your teeth for several reasons.

  1. There are many reasons for tooth discoloration. The discoloration of teeth can be intrinsic, which comes from inside the tooth, or extrinsic coming from outside. When a tooth dies, it becomes gray. Age, genetic factors, hard brushing, acidic wear, or some medications, can all cause discoloration to show through. Extrinsic stains are often the result of habits such as drinking soda, coffee, tea, wine, or juice. Smoking can also cause the change in color.
  2. Clean teeth don’t usually have external staining. Teeth build up a natural layer of plaque. This is similar to the slippery film on a rock in a river or a lake. This plaque layer is called biofilm and it includes bacteria that can cause tooth decay or gum disease. Brushing twice a day and visiting your general dentist regularly can ensure none of the biofilm stays on teeth. Coloring from food or drinks won’t have much to stick to when teeth are clean. It is when the biofilm builds up that the stains tend to last. Regular dental hygiene is the best way to prevent this buildup.
  3. Citrus fruits do whiten teeth. Citrus fruits can brighten teeth, mainly due to their citric acid killing the bacteria. Apple cider vinegar can also be used on discolored teeth, but does have acetic acid.
  4. Acids can damage tooth enamel. The acid in the above cures will weaken and wear down the enamel on teeth, magnify the discoloration of teeth, cause them to become more sensitive, and make them more susceptible to decay. Unfortunately, once tooth enamel goes away, there is no way to get it back. Some sources suggest using oil or a water rinse to weaken the impact of the acid, but this is not a guarantee. The best choice would be not to use the methods which involve acid at all.
  5. Use professional whitening. It is important to discuss any of the natural cures to the stained teeth with your dentist first. Determine what he or she thinks is best, or, better yet, find a dentist who does teeth whitening, and know that it is a tested and safe method.

This blog is sponsored by Baton Rouge teeth whitening dentist, Dr. Ryan Perry.

Am I damaging my teeth with my teeth whitening?

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I love whitening my teeth. I started when I went to a dentist who had a promotion going that you would get a free teeth whitening kit as a new patient. My teeth weren’t terrible when I started, but they looked a little yellow to me. I got the whitening trays and the gel and used them pretty religiously.  My teeth got whiter when I used the whitening trays, but I was afraid they would yellow again if I didn’t keep doing something. So when I had dentist visits, I would get more gel. I would also use some whitening strips from the drug store in between visits. I have done this for some time now. I’m out of gel again and am wondering if I should just do the in-office whitening treatment. My husband is worried that I’ll hurt my teeth doing much more whitening. Could this happen?

Thanks,

Bright Whites

Dear Bright Whites,

For most people, a regular schedule of whitening each month is okay. This is especially true of people who regularly smoke or consume staining food or drinks. Not all tooth whitening is created equally, though.

Teeth whitening methods

The teeth whitening strips you use from the drug store are the weakest of the whitening methods you use. Because they aren’t on as long and the formula isn’t as strong, whitening strips aren’t as effective for brightening a smile.

Whitening trays and the gel you get from a dentist’s office are stronger. The nice thing about this method is that you can do it from home. When used regularly, these can help whiten your teeth.Teeth whitened

The third method is the teeth whitening you mentioned that is done in the dentist’s office. This is done with a bleaching agent that is placed on all your teeth and a light is shined on them. This can take a couple of hours and is effective, but is more expensive.

Over-whitening

Some people start to exhibit problems when they over-whiten their teeth. It can lead to sensitivity or translucent teeth. Oddly enough, it can also lead to more staining. Your teeth naturally have holes in the surface that are microscopic. These holes are normally closed. When you whiten your teeth, those holes open up. After the bleaching process, it can take time–from a few days to a few weeks–for them to close up completely again. Unfortunately, if you smoke or consume staining foods or drinks such as grape juice, berries, or coffee, the teeth will start to absorb those stains right after the whitening treatment.

Ideally you should talk to your dentist about the amount of whitening you are doing. Make sure he is aware of the frequency and duration of your treatments at home. He will help you know if a whitening treatment in the office is recommended or if he would advise against it.

You can also brighten your smile by making sure you have white fillings in your teeth, as well.

This post is sponsored by Dr. Ryan Perry of Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Can I go to a dental school for porcelain veneers?

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I have always hated the stain on my teeth from the antibiotic tetracycline. I have hidden my teeth when I smile for as long as I remember. We just retired and all the kids are gone, so I’m ready to do something for me and fix my smile. I think I want to get porcelain veneers. My daughter mentioned that they took my granddaughter to a dental school for orthodontics and it saved her a lot of money. I am wondering if I can go to a dental school for porcelain veneers? What are the drawbacks?

Thanks,
Ann, Birmingham, AL

Dear Ann,

Porcelain veneers are a great way to cover tetracycline stains since teeth whitening isn’t effective. They can help you get a beautiful smile–if it is done by the right dentist.

Dentists who create a smile that you would be proud to show off have completed extensive training after dentistry school to learn the artistic aspect of veneers. They learn coloration, shaping, size, and opacity. These cosmetic dentists listen to what you want your smile to look like, what you want to change. They will often create a “mock up” so you can see what your veneers will look like on your teeth before they bond on your permanent veneers. This ensures that you are happy with the final product.

Unfortunately, a dental school is not the place to get porcelain veneers. Students there are learning the fundamentals of dentistry. They are learning how to fix your teeth. That is the priority, not aesthetics. Likely, if you went to a dental school for porcelain veneers, you would have a student doing it for the first time and you would get what you paid for.

If you want porcelain veneers, a better option would be to save your money and do it right the first time with a cosmetic dentist rather than spending the money and having to still pay the greater amount later to have them fixed.

This post is sponsored by Baton Rouge Family Dentist.