Baton Rouge Dentist

Can I Go Back To This Dentist?

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Hello,

I went to see a cosmetic dentist in my area. I wanted to straighten my teeth and whiten my smile, so he recommended getting porcelain veneers. I was all set to make my first appointment when I got the estimate for my treatment. It was thousands of dollars over my budget! I asked if there was an affordable or alternative option, and they seemed upset with me.

I haven’t been back since. I had my heart set on having him as my dentist, but I don’t think he wants to work with me. What can I do?

Beatrice, from Lexington, Kentucky

 

Hello Beatrice,

Being able to speak honestly with your dentist is important. Since you voiced concerns over payment, your dentist should have mentioned other options. You can straighten and whiten your teeth without veneers. You can try orthodontics, or get a take-home whitening kit. You could start with a couple veneers and get more as you can afford them. Since he refused, he’s not willing to work with you, and isn’t doing what’s best for you. Dentists may be comfortable with certain solutions, but a ‘my way or the highway’ attitude will not get them very far.

You should get a second opinion from another dentist. Being upfront about your cost concerns is best. Hopefully, your next dentist will work within your limits to create the best treatment plan for you.

This blog post is brought to you by Baton Rouge dentist, Dr. Ryan Perry.

What You Should Know About Charcoal Teeth Whitening

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Many people are interested in charcoal teeth whitening. The method is more popular than ever right now, thanks to You Tube. This type of teeth whitening is using activated charcoal, which is different than the type of charcoal used on a grill. Before you attempt this new whitening technique, you should understand some important aspects of the popular craze.

What You Should Know About Charcoal Teeth Whitening

It’s a natural and non-toxic teeth whitening technique. Charcoal is used in the medical field, and as a supplement. This method is safe to consume in small doses, and is believed to be a way to detox.

Charcoal is also absorbent. It works well for removing stains from teeth because they are just soaked away.

Unfortunately, it is not safe to use on your teeth. Charcoal’s abrasiveness can scratch through the enamel on your teeth. While the enamel is tough and protects, it’s not resistant to scratches. It is more abrasive than toothpastes, which come in varying degrees of abrasiveness, therefore could be damaging to your teeth.

Finally, there is conflicting information about whether or not it actually works as a teeth whitening method. While it some claim that is works to lighten teeth, nothing has been proven clinically, or been approved as a treatment technique. Unfortunately, if the enamel on your teeth is damaged, it will never return to the healthy protective state. This will lead to more sensitive and cavity-prone teeth. In addition, the results are not as noticeable as what you would see if you went to a dentist for the teeth whitening procedure.

Traditional Teeth Whitening Options

For those who aren’t interested in the charcoal teeth-whitening bandwagon, the traditional methods are dependable options.

Having your teeth whitened in a dental office is effective due to its potency. The solution opens up the dental tubules, similar to pores on your teeth, which are closed, then allows the substance to enter and increase the whitening power. Some patients experience sensitivity following this procedure, due to the tubules taking a few days to close, but side-effect can be lessened by using fluoride for a three to four weeks prior to treatment.

Another option is a take-home system. These systems are not as strong as those in the dental offices. Therefore teeth will take longer to lighten, and may not lighten to the degree than at in-office whitening would. However, it affords you the chance to stop the process if the sensitivity is bothering you.

This article is provided by the office of Baton Rouge teeth whitening dentist, Dr. Ryan Perry.

What is the best way to whiten my porcelain veneers?

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I had kind of a wild youth. I have made lots of changes in the past few years and my sweet mother has been there for me the whole time. She sent me to see a dentist since I haven’t been in for a cleaning in a long time. My teeth were so bad that the dentist did work I needed. He then suggested that I get porcelain veneers to fix my front teeth, to help them not be so crooked and to look better to get a job. My mom paid for them and they look better than they did before. Now that they have been on for a few months, I’d like to whiten them. I just want to make sure I do it the right way. What is the best way to whiten porcelain veneers?

Thanks,
Mariah

Dear Mariah,

Teeth whitenedIt is great that you have made changes for the better in your life. Unfortunately, you will not be able to make changes for the better to your porcelain veneers. Whitening your teeth isn’t the same as whitening your veneers. Your porcelain veneers can’t be whitened once they are placed on your teeth.

How porcelain veneers are made

When you decide to get porcelain veneers, your dentist will match the shade of your new veneers to the teeth surrounding so your new teeth don’t stick out and look unnatural. The dentist sends the specs, along with the shade the new teeth should be, along to a ceramist to be made. The veneers are then made in the shape and shade the dentist specified.

If your dentist was experienced or really wanted you to have the smile you desired, he should have suggested that you whiten your teeth before you got your veneers. That way your new teeth could have been a whiter shade, matching the whiter teeth around. It’s unfortunate that he didn’t make sure you were completely happy with how your porcelain veneers were going to look before they were bonded on.

At this point, the only way to fix them is to basically start over. A good cosmetic dentist could carefully grind off the porcelain veneers you have had placed. He could then help you with new ones, but you would experience the cost again.

This post is sponsored by Baton Rouge dentist Dr. Ryan Perry.

Does Lemon Juice Work Well to Whiten Teeth?

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Recently, I read on a website that mixing lemon juice and baking soda and rubbing it on your teeth for a couple of weeks makes them whiter. I did this a couple of days ago and earlier today, I heard that lemon juice is really bad for your teeth and decays your enamel. I’ve only done it twice. When I made the mixture, I only had it on my teeth for a minute and then brushed my teeth regularly. After discovering this information about the bad effects of this mixture, I will not be whitening my teeth this way. Do you think I caused permanent damage to my teeth?

– Jane from Louisiana

Jane,
It’s good to hear that you did follow-up research on lemon juice and teeth whitening. Lemon juice is highly acidic and if used on teeth over time, causes erosion of the tooth enamel leading to tooth decay. Citric acid found in lemon juice is a powerful agent. Did you know it can be used to scour limescale from boilers and in a higher concentration form it removes hard water stains from glass without any scrubbing motion?

Citric acid is not only found in cleaning products but also soda. This is why your dentist or dental hygienist tells you to limit your intake of soda. Those who drink soda on a daily basis are more prone to tooth decay and tooth erosion.

It’s an important thing to remember to never brush your teeth within 30 minutes after consuming liquids or foods that contain citric acid as well as ascorbic acid which is also found in sodas. Teeth are attacked by the acid which causes the enamel and underlying layer dental to erode. When you brush right away, it can accelerate the process by pushing the acid further into the tooth layers. The best thing you can do is neutralize the acid in your mouth by drinking water after consuming acidic products.

If you want to whiten your teeth, it’s best to visit your dentist and see if you are a good candidate for teeth whitening. The best, safest, and most effective way to get a brighter smile is have a dental health professional take care of you.

To learn more, visit Dr. Ryan Perry’s website, Baton Rouge Family Dentist