Composite Fillings

Have you ever been looking at tubes of toothpaste at the supermarket and asked yourself how they work? Have you wondered if there is a difference between common types of “whitening” toothpaste? In this article from Enamel Dentistry, we’ll be taking a look at how tooth whitening toothpaste works, and how it can help you keep your pearly whites bright and beautiful. 

Whitening Toothpaste Contains Mild Abrasives to Remove Stains

Just about all kinds of toothpaste contain some sort of mild abrasive, as this helps remove plaque and polish your teeth. However, whitening toothpastes usually have a higher level of abrasive particles. Baking soda is often used, as is silica, dicalcium phosphate, and a number of other abrasives.

These abrasives are usually formulated specifically to be softer than your enamel. This ensures that they do not wear down your teeth, but they can still be used to buff away surface stains caused by plaque buildup, and keep your teeth looking bright and beautiful. 

Some Whitening Toothpaste Contains Peroxide for Enhanced Whitening Power

All toothpastes with abrasives can whiten your teeth to an extent, but for more whitening power, you’ll want to choose a toothpaste that contains peroxide such as hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide.

These are the same compounds used in professional whitening treatments. Peroxide is very volatile, and it breaks the bonds that hold stains onto your teeth upon contact. This “bleaches” the stains away, and restores the natural white color of your enamel.

If you want the best whitening results, you should choose a toothpaste that contains hydrogen or carbamide peroxide. Repeated use of the toothpaste according to its usage instructions can actually reverse minor teeth stains and yellowing. You can also use whitening toothpaste to keep your teeth white after you have had them professionally whitened.

Choose ADA-Approved Whitening Toothpaste for the Best Results (and Stay Safe!) 

It’s important to make sure that you don’t overuse whitening toothpastes. While some are formulated for everyday use, others are intended to be used only once per day, or on some other treatment schedule. Follow the directions on the tube or packaging to make sure you don’t damage your natural enamel due to overusing the whitening toothpaste.  

You should also choose an ADA-approved whitening toothpaste. These toothpastes have been tested and approved by the American Dental Association, so they are generally accepted as being safe to use. 

Avoid non-ADA approved “whitening” toothpastes, such as charcoal toothpaste. Charcoal is extremely abrasive. Because of this, it can eliminate some surface stains on your teeth, but it also may permanently wear down your enamel. 

To keep your teeth bright and healthy, stick to ADA-approved products with mild, tested abrasives and hydrogen/carbamide peroxide. 

Got Stained Teeth? Whitening Toothpaste May Not Be Enough! 

Whitening toothpaste is great for minor stains and for maintaining a bright smile. But if you have heavy stains due to tobacco use, frequently drinking coffee, tea, or wine, or due to any other issue, whitening toothpaste alone may not be enough. Professional help from a cosmetic dentist may be required. 

Professional teeth whitening in Austin from Enamel Dentistry is the best way to restore your smile if you have heavy stains. To learn more, contact us and schedule a cosmetic consultation today!

How many times have you gone to the dentist and lied about how much you floss? It’s OK; you’re not alone! Many patients don’t really enjoy flossing. We have a theory that in part, it’s because flossing doesn’t have any noticeable direct benefit—unlike exercise, eating healthy, or even brushing your teeth. However, there are plenty of benefits to be had from regular flossing; the first is that patients who floss regularly have very few dental issues. Keep reading to find out more about flossing and why it’s so important to your oral health.

The Benefits of Flossing Regularly

• Teeth & Gum Health

Brushing your teeth is great for preventing tooth decay because it scrubs away food, plaque, and bacteria sitting on your teeth’s enamel. However, toothbrushes can only do so much; they can’t reach the tight spaces between your teeth and along the gum line—but floss can! Flossing daily helps your teeth and gums stay healthy and reduces your risk of developing cavities and gum disease.

• Fresher Breath

Brushing your teeth with minty-fresh toothpaste will help your breath—but only for so long if you have food and tarter between your teeth. Food trapped between your teeth can start to decay and cause a foul odor, but tartar is one of the main culprits of halitosis (aka chronic bad breath). Flossing removes food particles and plaque before it can become odor-causing tarter.

• Flossing Can Help Prevent Heart Disease

Studies have shown that patients with gum disease are almost twice as likely to have heart disease as those without gum disease. Why? When you have gingivitis or forms of gum disease, it allows bacteria to enter the bloodstream, where it can make its way to the heart. If you floss regularly, it helps protect your teeth, gums, AND your heart! What’s not to love?

• A Brighter, More Confident Smile

Plaque and tartar have a yellowy appearance, which can affect the overall appearance of your smile. Flossing regularly will help remove plaque, prevent tartar buildup, and remove food trapped between your teeth for a brighter, whiter smile you can flash with confidence.

What Happens if You Don’t Floss?

If you don’t floss, it allows plaque and bacteria to accumulate in your mouth. Bacteria can lead to cavities and tooth decay over time, but gingivitis (gum inflammation) can develop much more quickly.

If gingivitis gets worse, it can develop into periodontal disease, which causes bone loss and eventually tooth loss. Plaque that’s allowed to sit for too long becomes calcified and turns into tartar, which makes it more difficult for you to brush and floss thoroughly; even worse, tartar that sits above the gum line has bacteria in it that can irritate and damage your gums.

The bottom line is no matter how often you brush or how long you brush, there are areas around your teeth and gums that a toothbrush just can’t reach. Flossing helps you reach every nook and cranny, dislodging food, plaque, and bacteria that you wouldn’t be able to remove otherwise.

For the cleanest, healthiest smile, you should aim for flossing at least once a day. If your gums bleed while flossing, don’t worry! This is just a sign that you need to floss more frequently. The more you floss, the less your gums will bleed. We know it doesn’t feel like the most glamorous activity, but trust us—your teeth and gums will thank you!

If you have questions about your oral health or proper flossing technique, contact an Enamel Dentistry near you. Our team is always happy to help you find the best ways to care for your smile!

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Why is Sedation Dentistry necessary for some patients?

It is common and perfectly normal to have some degree of apprehension or anxiety prior to receiving dental treatment. Some people, however, have stronger feelings in this regard than others. These feelings may be the result of less than pleasant past experiences, stories told by family and friends, or by the nature of the dental procedure itself (wisdom teeth removal). Dental treatment may be especially frightening to young children and patients with developmental disabilities. Whatever the cause, apprehension or anxiety can produce many unpleasant effects including heart palpitations, high blood pressure, upset stomach and trouble sleeping the night before the appointment. Many highly apprehensive patients avoid dental care for many years until their problems become so severe that they are forced to seek emergency care.

What is Sedation Dentistry?

Sedation can make practically all dental and oral surgical procedures more pleasant and safer for the apprehensive patients. During the procedure, the anxiety that many people have can be controlled by administering sedative medication. A sedated patient will not only be more relaxed but can also have potentially limited memory of the procedure performed. In either case local anesthesia (lidocaine) is also administered to block the pain sensations during the procedure and to keep the mouth numb during recovery.

How is the medication administered?

Sedative medication can be administered by breathing (nitrous oxide/laughing gas), orally (pill form) or intravenously (IV).

• Nitrous oxide is the most common agent used to treat apprehensive patients and can be used either by itself or in combination with Oral Sedation.
• Non- IV conscious sedation involves Nitrous Oxide in combination with an oral medication. Patients become very relaxed and potentially slightly sleepy but are still able to speak and answer questions. Some patients may experience an amnesic effect and don’t remember much of the visit the next day. Oral medication takes time to work (approximately 30-45 minutes) and has limits on how sedated you can safely become.
• IV sedation: Medication given intravenously (IV) has its effect rapidly so your dentist can give the precise amount needed for your level of anxiety. In addition, if more medication is needed during the procedure, the IV allows easy administration of additional medications. Patients are generally very sleepy and may experience more amnestic effects from IV sedation than through the other previously mentioned methods.

Which type of sedation is right for me?

The route selected by you and your dentist will depend on your current health status and your particular needs.

How am I monitored during the procedure?

Depending on the depth of sedation or anesthesia being used, as well as your own medical condition, various monitors will be used during your procedure to ensure your safety. These monitors vary from automatic blood pressure cuffs to the use of pulse oximeters which, through a light sensor, measure the oxygen concentration in your blood. For our conscious and IV sedation patients, an EKG monitor is also used to monitor your heart rhythm in addition to capnography (measuring carbon dioxide levels from the breath). In addition to the monitoring devices, your doctor along with trained staff will always be with you and will be observing you closely during your treatment.

Is Sedation Dentistry safe?

The use of sedation in dentistry has a commendable record of safety. This is due to the advanced training your doctor has and her commitment to your overall health. It is important to advise your doctor of all medications that you take as well as any changes in your health since your last visit. In Texas, a special permit is required to administer sedation and anesthesia.Dr. Dillon Patel is trained in Level 2 (Nitrous and Oral conscious sedation) and Level 3 (IVModerate sedation) and can administer IV sedation. The ability to handle emergency situations as well as having specific emergency medications and equipment is a mandatory part of the permitting process. Additionally, Dr. Dillon Patel is certified in Basic Life Support, AdvancedCardiac Life Support, and Advanced Trauma Life Support.

Source: the American Dental society of Anesthesiology

Any questions or concerns? Call to schedule an appointment at your nearest Enamel Dentistry Location.