Mallard Creek Family Dentistry

Everybody loves a bright white smile, and there are a variety of products and procedures available to help you improve the look of yours.

Many people are satisfied with the sparkle they get from brushing twice daily with a fluoride-containing toothpaste, cleaning between their teeth once a day and the regular cleanings at your dentist’s office. If you decide you would like to go beyond this to make your smile look brighter, you should investigate all of your options.

You can take several approaches to whiten your smile:

•In-office bleaching;
•At-home bleaching;
•Whitening toothpastes

Frequently Asked Questions

What should you ask your dentist?
You may want to start by speaking with your dentist. He or she can tell you whether whitening procedures would be effective for you. Whiteners may not correct all types of discoloration. For example, yellow-ish hued teeth will probably bleach well, brownish-colored teeth may bleach less well, and grayish-hued teeth may not bleach well at all. Likewise, bleaching may not enhance your smile if you have had bonding or tooth-colored fillings placed in your front teeth. The whitener will not affect the color of these materials, and they will stand out in your newly whitened smile. In these cases, you may want to investigate other options, like porcelain veneers or dental bonding.


What is in-office bleaching?
If you are a candidate for bleaching, your dentist may suggest a procedure that can be done in his or her office. This procedure is called chairside bleaching and a visit may take up to 2 hours.

During chairside bleaching, the dentist will apply either a protective gel to your gums or a rubber shield to protect the oral soft tissues. A bleaching agent is then applied to the teeth, and a special light may be used to enhance the action of the agent. Lasers have been used during tooth whitening procedures to enhance the action of the whitening agent.


What are at-home procedures and products?
There are several types of products available for use at home, which can either be dispensed by your dentist or purchased over-the-counter.

Bleaching solutions. These products contain peroxide(s), which actually bleach the tooth enamel. These products typically rely on percent carbamide peroxide as the bleaching agent, carbamide peroxide comes in several different concentrations (10%, 16%, 22%).


You also may want to speak with your dentist should any side effects become bothersome. For example, teeth can become sensitive during the period when you are using the bleaching solution. In many cases, this sensitivity is temporary and should lessen once the treatment is finished. Some people also experience soft tissue irritation—either from a tray that doesn't fit properly or from solution that may come in contact with the tissues. If you have concerns about such side effects, you should discuss them with your dentist.

Toothpastes. All toothpastes help remove surface stain through the action of mild abrasives. "Whitening" toothpastes in the ADA Seal of Acceptance program have special chemical or polishing agents that provide additional stain removal effectiveness. Unlike bleaches, these ADA Accepted products do not alter the intrinsic color of teeth.


How should I choose a whitening product?
When selecting a whitener or any dental product, be sure to look for the ADA Seal of Acceptance—your assurance that they have met ADA standards of safety and effectiveness.

Mallard Creek Family Dentistry offers Zoom AP In Office Whitening.
Click on the link above to to view an interactive demo of Zoom! Simply select your current tooth shade on the interactive demo to see what a difference Zoom! safely whitens teeth an average of 8 shades.

Are you ready to schedule? Give us a call at 704-596-0021 or request an appointment by going to our website at:http://www.mallardcreekfd.com/

Source: www.ada.org &  Zoomnow.com

If you've got a teenager, you know just how tough it can be to get your message heard. After all, when you're a teenager it's easy to believe that you're immune to life's dangers -- including health problems such as gum disease. But as a parent, you probably know that the opposite is true: According to TeenHealth.com approximately 60 percent of 15-year-old teenagers have gingivitis, the early stage of gum disease.




Fortunately, gingivitis is preventable, and you can play a major role in preventing your teenager from developing gum disease and other oral health conditions. But don't panic if your prevention efforts fail! Early gum disease can still be turned around if you seek gum disease treatment early on.



Back to Basics


Your teenager may not think it's "cool" to brush and floss or limit their consumption of sugar-laden foods and drinks. Even so, it's important for parents to emphasize the importance of good oral hygiene and healthy eating habits.

The most obvious way to reinforce good oral hygiene is to remind your teenager to brush and floss every night. But it's also a good to idea to make sure that there are plenty of spare toothbrushes on hand so that your teen never has to use an old one (which would decrease the effectiveness of brushing). Be sure to stock your bathroom with plenty of extra floss and toothpaste, too.



Regular dental visits also play an integral part in your teenager's oral health, so always project a positive attitude about visiting the dentist -- chances are your teen will follow suit. And never use a dental visit as a form of punishment for your teenager who has bad oral habits. Instead, create a sense of optimism about dental visits by saying things like "Your mouth is going to feel great after a visit with your hygienist!"



What your teenager eats and drinks on a regular basis also has a direct impact on the health of their teeth and gums. Flavored waters, energy drinks and sports drinks are popular among teens, but studies have found that the high-sugar content and acidity found in these drinks are linked to cavities and tooth erosion.



So while it may not be easy to wean your teen from soda and other flavored drinks, the health of their teeth and bodies make it worth trying. You can encourage healthy eating habits by stocking your refrigerator with vegetables, fruit and plain drinking water instead of cookies, ice cream and soda. Some studies even show that drinking milk may also be helpful in preventing periodontal disease.



Another good way to help promote good oral health is to get your teenager to focus on something that's already important to them: their image. Let your teenager know that numerous studies have shown that a healthy, beautiful smile attracts the opposite sex and leaves a good impression on others -- that's sure to hit home! Pointing out the beautiful smiles of celebrities that your teenager admires can also be a useful tool.



Teenage Girls at Risk

It's well known that hormonal changes related to puberty can affect your teenager's mood, but they can also increase your teenage daughter's risk of developing gum disease.



Studies have shown that a spike in progesterone and estrogen levels causes an increase in blood circulation to the gums of female teenagers. As a result, your daughter's gums may become especially sensitive and tender during puberty. Food particles, dental plaque and dental tartar can also make her gums more vulnerable to irritation, so it's especially important for teenage girls to follow a good at-home oral hygiene regimen.



Remember, professional dental cleanings are essential for removing dental plaque and dental tartar on a regular basis. A regular dental visit is the ideal time to get your dentist's expert advice on your teenager's gums, so be sure to ask questions! Your dentist may also recommend periodontal dental treatment for your teenager to help prevent damage to the tissues and bone surrounding the teeth.



Are you ready to schedule? Give us a call at 704-596-0021 or request an appointment by going to our website at http://www.mallardcreekfd.com/

Click here to check out an interesting time line of the Life of Your Teeth
Life of a Tooth




Are you ready to schedule? Give us a call at 704-596-0021 or request an appointment by going to our website at: http://www.mallardcreekfd.com/