Do Over-the-Counter Teeth Whitening Products Really Work?

Brushing your teeth regularly is enough to keep your teeth brightening like pearls. But, those people who have coffee habits and are addicted to alcohol and tobacco-containing products, that’s just not the case. They need more than routine cleaning of their teeth as their teeth are pale and stained. 

Presently, pale and stained teeth are the most common dental problem in the world. If you just take a look around in your neighborhood, you will be surprised to notice that most people have pale and stained teeth. The reason could be unhealthy diet plans, too much consumption of acidic drinks, regular consumption of alcohol, tobacco, and pharmaceutical medicines.  

This dental problem is not a major disease. It is neither painful nor life-threatening, but yes it has many effects on the daily lifestyle of humans. Generally, the patients with such dental problems lose the brightness of their pearly whites, their pretty smile, and self-confidence as well. So, it is very important to treat pale and stained teeth as soon as possible otherwise this disease will dominate your mind and you will not be able to concentrate on anything else. 

The Teeth Whitening Options

Whitening dentists in McKinney TX have many teeth whitening options. We can categorize those into two major categories: Over-the-Counter Teeth Whitening and Professional Teeth Whitening. 

Over-the-Counter Teeth Whitening

In Over-the-Counter teeth whitening, you get many different teeth whitening products such as whitening strips, whitening wraps, bleaching, gels, tubes of toothpaste, mouthwashes, and whitening pens. These products are manufactured by different brands, and so have different characteristics and benefits. Generally, you use these OTC products without consulting your dentist. 

Based on the experimental uses and the manufacturers’ statements, they are very effective to whiten the pale and stained teeth and to bring back the pretty smiles. But many question the effectiveness of these products. They want to know whether or not Over-the-Counter whitening products really effective to whiten teeth. If you have the same query, keep reading this piece of writing as you will get a satisfying answer in the end. Let’s discuss a little bit about Professional Teeth Whitening. 

Professional Teeth Whitening 

In professional teeth whitening, the whitening treatment is processed under the supervision of specialized dentists. It is also called in-office teeth whitening. It mainly includes laser treatment and tray bleaching. Generally, teeth whitening treatments are processed in a dental office within one-two hours. After the treatment, patients are given a particular diet plan and some important instructions for taking care of their teeth. They also have to visit the dental office again and again as explained by the dentists for further assessments and treatments. This can be a little costly, but the patients get 100% results, and that too within a few weeks. So, professional teeth whitening is a very effective way to get rid of pale and stained teeth. 

Do OTC Products Really Whiten the Teeth? 

It is a fact that professional teeth whitening treatments give 100% results. But if we talk about over-the-counter teeth whitening products, there is still a lack of clarity. People know that OTC teeth whitening products are effective to treat pale and stained teeth, but the question is that are they as effective as professional whitening treatments are? Well, let’s try to find the answer. 

Generally, there are two types of discoloration in our teeth. The one that develops over time due to improper regular brushing and cleaning of teeth. It is called intrinsic. Then there is extrinsic, the one that develops due to the routinely deposits on the surface of teeth from smoking, taking coffee, consuming alcohol and acidic drinks, consuming tobacco-containing products, and taking medicines. Of course, extrinsic discoloration is tough to treat. 

The OTC products such as whitening strips, wraps, and gels can whiten your teeth if your teeth have intrinsic discoloration. However, these products will not be as effective as professional teeth whitening treatments are. So, if you are completely dependent on OTC products, you should not expect complete whitening of your teeth. 

On the other hand, if we talk about toothpaste and mouthwashes, they are specially made for keeping your mouth fresh and clean. They are the least effective OTC products for whitening pale and stained teeth. But yes, they are effectively keeping your mouth protected from bacterias, germs infections, and plaques. 

Do You Invest In OTC Teeth Whitening Products? 

It depends on different factors. If you have minor discoloration issues on your teeth, you can invest in these products without any hesitation because they will certainly help you get rid of yellow surfaces and dark spots. But if you have a major discoloration issue, you should first ask your concerned dentist and consult with him/her. He/she will quickly examine your teeth, then suggest whether or not you should invest in OTC teeth whitening products. 

Final Thought

Considering all the facts mentioned above in this piece of writing, we would say, yes OTC teeth whitening products are effective to reduce the yellowness and darkness of teeth, but they are not as effective and professional teeth whitening treatments are. So, it is always better to consult with your concerned dentist whether or not you should invest in them. 

How Can You Whiten Your Teeth And Keep Them Bright For Long-Time

Your smile is the biggest and most important asset that you own which makes you feel good about yourself. Do you think that your pearly whites are losing their luster because of yellow or brown stains? Though staining of teeth is very common and occurs quite frequently as we age.  But some common drinks, foods, and even mouthwashes can stain your teeth. Though home remedies of teeth whitening can help you improve the appearance of your teeth, but consulting professional whitening dentists in McKinney TX, and getting whitening treatment is only a long-lasting way to keep your teeth white. In both cases, you have to avoid consuming substances that can stain your teeth to stop further discoloration.

DO-IT-YOURSELF TEETH WHITENING

When you choose a do-it-yourself teeth whitening procedure, you may be able to get rid of stains by yourself, but that would be superficially only. There are several at-home tooth-whitening products available in the market such as kits, strips, toothpaste, and rinses that may lighten your teeth stains. You can even try natural home remedies to prevent staining, but these too do not last for long. Most of the tooth-whitening products use mild bleach to brighten yellow teeth. On the other hand, toothpaste use chemicals and abrasives to remove surface stains. For deep stain removal, you may need the help of a dentist. Before we discuss professional ways of teeth whitening, let’s discuss some of the do-it-yourself teeth whitening procedures in detail.

·         Home Whitening Strips:  Tooth-whitening strips are a temporary way to get rid of tooth stains. These are thin strips that are nearly invisible and are coated with a peroxide-based whitening gel. You have to wear these thin strips a few minutes daily for a week or more depending upon the intensity of your stains. You can witness the improvement in your teeth in just a few days, which last for at least a week. The results with strips are not as intense as you obtain using whitening kits, but these strips are easy to use and pretty much safe.

· Whitening Toothpaste and Rinses: Over-the-counter toothpaste, gels, and rinses help in removing a few surface stains. Most of these whitening products contain mild abrasives, chemicals, or polishing agents. But these products don't change the natural color of teeth like bleach does.

· Home Remedies for Whiter Teeth: Home remedies are always the safest and easiest ways of dealing with any problem. People with old-age prefer these remedies for teeth whitening as well. The most commonly preferred natural remedy is using baking soda and a toothbrush to gently whiten teeth at home. Some food products such as apples, pears, celery, and carrots produce lots of salivae, which helps in washing away food debris on your teeth. Chewing sugarless gum is a tooth-cleansing action and also produces saliva. Saliva neutralizes the acid that causes tooth decay.

TEETH WHITENING BY PROFESSIONALS

There is a standard routine that a trained dentist follows for in-office teeth whitening procedures. These include:

· Shade measurement of your teeth is taken before starting the procedure. The idea behind shade measurement is to compare your existing tooth color to a shade with a stylized chart. This sets a benchmark to gauge improvement after the teeth whitening procedure. Once this benchmark has been decided, the whitening process will take place.

· The dentist then polishes your teeth using pumice. He places a cheek retractor to expose all your teeth and covers your eyes, gums, and lips, to protect them from the bleaching gel.

· He puts a hardening resin or a liquid rubber dam and paints over the gums. He also protects the tips of the gums between the teeth from the bleaching agents.

·  Finally, only teeth will be exposed. This process may take up to 10 minutes.

·  Dentist now applies a special whitening gel to your teeth which releases an active ingredient hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide.

· Teeth bleaching is a long procedure which may take three to four 15-20 minutes sessions. In each session, the previous layer is removed.

· Cheek retractors protect gums from contact with whitening gel.

· Lastly, your dentist will make you rinse your mouth with a lot of water, and polish your teeth with pumice again.

· He then assesses the degree of teeth whitening to measure whether there is any need to repeat the procedure. He will apply more whitening gel if necessary.

· Take your final teeth shade!

The biggest benefit of choosing teeth whitening treatment by whitening dentists in McKinney TX is that you would get the fastest results as in-office procedures are the way forward. Unlike home bleaching techniques, home remedies, and other whitening products, results obtained through professional whitening treatments are quick and visible after a one-hour session. Other methods or whitening techniques performed by you at home are instead slower and are needed to be used for over a long period of time. However, the only benefit is that you can try them at home and get temporary whitening solutions just for a day or a week.

People have the misconception that professional whitening treatment is expensive. It is not true at all. It completely depends on the condition and staining of your teeth. The time required to perform this treatment also depends on the number of sittings required for performing the whitening process in your case. 

How and Why Invisalign Treatment is Better Than Metal Braces?

If you are stressed out, feeling alone, or carrying a lot of burden of professional life, nothing can help you better to overcome your struggling phase other than a pretty smile. It's damn true. Yes, medicines and treatments can help you a lot to overcome these conditions, but if you have a beautiful smile, you may automatically find the solutions to all your problems.  

There could be several reasons why a beautiful smile is imperative. One of those reasons is maintaining overall good dental health. If someone’s smile makes you smile and it looks so pretty and pleasing to you, the reason behind such a pretty smile is a good oral hygiene. And to get good dental health, you need good dental care regularly. 

Good dental care is important to keep your oral health in an optimal condition and keep dental diseases away. But in some cases, you need more than good oral care to keep your oral health in a good condition. A few of those cases are:

• Unaligned Teeth

• Crooked Teeth 

• Crowded Teeth

These dental problems come under orthodontics. If you have any of these dental problems, you need more than good oral care. You need either Invisalign treatment or traditional metal braces treatment. 

Now, let's understand what Invisalign treatment and traditional metal braces treatment are. 

What is Invisalign Treatment?

Invisalign treatment is a process of treating mainly unaligned, crooked, and crowded teeth with the aid of a series of dental clear aligners (commonly known as Invisalign). These dental clear aligners are worn by the patients for a certain period of time, as suggested by the concerned dentist. They push the unaligned, crooked, and crowded teeth into their actual position and gradually straighten the whole teeth line. This treatment process can take a few weeks and months (depending on the condition of the teeth line), but eventually, it gives the best result. 

It is one of the newest developments or discoveries of modern dentistry. With this treatment, millions of dental patients get a reason to smile all across the world, and today, they all are living their lives happily. In a real sense, it is a revolutionizing development of modern dentistry. Also, some of the world-class dentists such as Invisalign specials McKinney TX strongly say that Invisalign is the future of modern dentistry. 

What Are Dental Braces Treatment?

Dental braces treatment is a traditional method of treating mainly unaligned, crooked, and crowded teeth with the aid of metal bracket aligners (commonly known as dental braces and orthodontic cases). These dental braces gradually push the unaligned teeth right side so that they can get into shape. Nowadays, they are not much preferred due to the coming of Invisalign. 

Which One to Choose? 

Due to the availability of two different teeth straightening treatments in modern dentistry, the patients often get in the dilemma of whether they should select dental braces treatment or Invisalign treatment. If you are one of those who are confused between both, we are here to guide you. 

Generally, the decision of which treatment is best for your teeth condition is not taken by the patient. It is totally decided or suggested by the dentist in most cases. But dentist also keeps in mind the priority of the patient which he/she has made based on looking to his/her pocket, time involved in the process, and other factors.  

Our suggestion for you is to go with your dentist as they know better which treatment perfectly fits your teeth straightening requirements. After examining your teeth condition, whether your dentist suggests dental braces treatment or Invisalign treatment, you should go with him/her without caring about what your choices are. Yes, you can share your preferences with your dentist so that the dentist can prioritize your choice, and if possible he/she can suggest the same treatment for you.  

If we have to decide the one based on their credibility, undoubtedly, we would suggest Invisalign as it is the best teeth straightening treatment. A number of reasons are there why we have made it our first choice as many dentists and dental clinics also prefer it above other dental treatments when it comes to aligning your teeth well. Let’s find out why. 

Why Invisalign is Better Than Dental Braces? 

Invisalign is better teeth straightening treatment as compared to dental braces. Here is why:

Invisalign is Clear- Invisalign is colorless, meaning they are clear and transparent. When patients wear it on the surface of their teeth, it seems like they wear nothing because it is not visible to the third person. It is one of the biggest advantages for those patients who feel confident less after wearing dental braces which are clearly visible to everyone. 

Invisalign is Easily Removable- Before eating and drinking, patients can easily remove Invisalign as it is easily removable. While if we talk about dental braces, they are not removable devices. 

Invisalign Heals Quicker than Dental Braces- This is another big benefit of Invisalign. Due to its amazing technology, it aligns perfectly the unaligned teeth quicker than dental braces. 

It is Easily Replaceable- To treat unaligned teeth, Invisalign is worn in a series. Therefore, patients need to replace its Invisalign every two weeks as suggested by the concerned dentist. Unlike dental braces, Invisalign is easily replaceable. 

Apart from the above-mentioned reasons, there are more reasons to choose Invisalign. However, it is always a good option to go with your concerned dentist as he/she better knows what you really need to get your unaligned teeth aligned quickly. So, keep all these things in mind when you visit a dentist for a quick dental checkup and taking teeth straightening treatment. 

How to Take Care of Your Oral Health During COVID 19

We don’t have any such information that links oral hygiene to COVID 19, but still taking care of oral hygiene in the time of COVID 19 is very important. In this post, we will answer you why it is so and why you should do that. But before we jump into that part, let’s talk about COVID 19. 

COVID 19 

It is no secret that COVID 19 is an infectious disease. It transmits through the droplets generated by an infected person’s cough, sneeze, and exhale. It also transmits from touching the contaminated surfaces and objects. It is a lethal pandemic that can affect anyone across the globe. 

Presently (16-11-2020), according to the global statistics of COVID 19, more than 54.4 million cases are there across the world. And this number is continuously increasing with a big margin.

Due to this pandemic, we all are going through a lot of changes. We are now more cautious about our health. We regularly sanitize our hands, wear face masks, and keep in distance from other persons. Doing these things routinely is good for protecting ourselves from getting infected from COVID 19. However, doing only these things is not enough. Oral care is equally important. And why it is important, let’s see in the next segment. 

Why Oral Care Is Important During COVID 19? 

Actually, whether it is COVID 19 period or normal life, oral care is always important for better oral health. However, it is much more important during COVID 19 period than normal life. And the reasons are:

Most dental clinics in the badly affected areas in the United States are closed. They are not providing their regular dental care services. Yes, they are available for consultation on different online platforms, but the only consultation cannot treat all the dental problems, especially dental emergency cases. So, keeping yourself on the safe side by taking care of your oral health is important. However, in a case, if you meet a dental emergency, don’t hesitate to talk to emergency dentists in McKinney because dental emergencies need instant treatment. You can’t wait even for a few minutes. 

Poor oral care invites different oral diseases to occur. And if they occur, they can create problems for both you and all whom you meet regularly. The spit, the handkerchief you use, and your impure hands can be a carrier for COVID 19. And they can infect those persons whom you meet regularly. So, taking care of oral hygiene is important. 

Again, poor dental care invites many different dental problems such as tooth pain, gum bleeding, infection, tooth worms, etc. If these dental problems get too serious, you will have to visit a dentist for a quick check-up or taking treatment. This poses some risks of COVID 19 transmission as you will have to travel to meet your concerned dentist. And you don't know how many COVID-19-infected people will come across you. They can infect you. So, keep on the safe side by taking care of your oral health. 

Oral Care Tips- Effective During COVID-19

We conducted comprehensive research and studied the different dentists’ opinions to collect some useful and effective oral care tips that are especially effective during the COVID-19 period. Here are those oral care tips: 

Wash Your Hands for At Least 20 Seconds- Before and after taking any personal dental care, make sure you properly wash your hands. Use your hands with a clinically approved hand wash for at least 20 seconds. This is ideal to stop bacterias and viruses from entering your mouth.

Brush Your Teeth Twice A Day- Every dentist advises brushing teeth at least twice a day. It is so because one-time brushing can not nicely clean your teeth. We eat three times a day and so the small food particles remain in our mouth the whole day. Removing those particles before we go to bed at night is very important because those food particles can give birth to bacterias and infections. And those bacterias and infections can cause different dental diseases. So, remove those food particles from your mouth by brushing your teeth before going to bed and after waking up from the bed. 

Keep Your Brush Clean- Bacterias, mold, and pollutants can stay on the bristles of toothbrushes. Those bacterias, mold, and pollutants can reach your mouth with your toothbrush. And you better know that those are very harmful to your oral health. So, it is very important to keep your toothbrush clean and protected from bacterias, mold, and pollutants. 

To keep your toothbrush clean, you can use antibacterial hygiene toothbrush caps or toothbrush holders, whichever you prefer. These two are protective gear for toothbrushes. You can also use electric toothbrushes if you prefer. They are a great choice for gaining good oral health.  

Rinse Your Mouth With Non-Alcoholic Mouthwash- Rinsing your mouth with a non-alcoholic mouthwash multiple times a day is a great option to prevent plaque build-up and gingivitis. So, make sure you properly rinse your mouth with mouthwash after eating and drinking anything. 

Focus on Your Diets- The way diets matter for your physical health, the same way diets matter for your oral health. So, take a well-balanced diet. Avoid eating too sugary items, snacks, junk foods, and acidic and alcohol-based drinks. These edibles and drinks can affect both your physical and oral health. 

Floss Between Your Teeth At Least Once a Day- Brushing is not enough to remove the food particles stuck between your teeth. To remove those food particles, flossing is important. So, floss between your teeth at least once a day. It will prevent tooth decay, tooth worms, and infections. 

Maintaining Oral Hygiene While You Are Pregnant

When you become pregnant, you could see changes in your hormones, especially progesterone which starts increasing and changing. These hormones not only affect the growth of your baby but also perform so many chemical changes inside your body. That’s why it is important to maintain your teeth and gums while you are pregnant. You can also schedule a visit to McKinney TX dentist when you are planning to get pregnant or already pregnant.

Dental Health During Pregnancy

Though changes are not evident in your dental health during the first trimester, you should not slack off your oral routine like brushing, flossing, and rinsing. You may witness swelling into your gums which could lead to other issues such as periodontal (gum) disease and gingivitis in any trimester of pregnancy. An increase in hormones often leads to dry mouth, especially during the night.

It has been found that 10% of pregnant women experience pregnancy granulomas or gum tissue growths. Changes in hormonal balance relax ligaments into your body which also include those in your mouth. So, keep an eye out for any loose teeth. That’s why we suggest visiting your nearby dentist to keep a check on your teeth and gum’s health.

Have a look at additional tips that you should keep in mind throughout your pregnancy:

·         Those who experience morning sickness must rinse their mouth immediately.

·         Change your toothpaste if it is causing you nauseous. You can switch toothpaste brands or change to a mild flavor.

·         Make sure you brush your teeth from both front and back very well during pregnancy.

·         Brush the gum line to avoid pregnancy gingivitis from occurring.

·         Brush properly to prevent teeth and biting surfaces from dental caries (decay).

·         If you have a midnight snack, make sure you brush your teeth again to reduce the chance of cavities.

·         In addition to flossing and brushing, always rinse your mouth with a fluoride mouthwash.

All these important tips and information is crucial not only for you but also for your new baby. Poor dental hygiene has been associated with premature birth and low birth weight in babies.

Oral Health Distresses During Pregnancy

As already mentioned, pregnancy is associated with bodily changes that can result in numerous oral health effects. Your McKinney TX dentist can easily manage your dental condition and suggest you the best solution. They can provide you a solution for:

·         Gingivitis, or swollen and bleeding gums intensified by inadequate home care and hormonal changes during pregnancy.

·         Tooth erosion linked to an increase in the acidity of saliva caused due to morning sickness

·         Cavities caused by the cravings for sugary foods.

·         Pyogenic granulomas, which are round growths on the gums caused due to hormonal changes

You must talk to your dentist about the treatment options available for you because you are pregnant. They will check you thoroughly and confirm if you are really suffering from the suspected condition. If you require more extensive dental work while pregnant, then you can have a treatment during the second trimester. This is because, by the time you reach your third trimester, it would be difficult for you to lie on your back for a long time and get your treatment done.

Apart from brushing, dental experts outline a few steps for an expectant mother to ensure a healthy mouth during pregnancy. These include:

·         Brush twice a day for 2 minutes each time with fluoride toothpaste.

·         Floss every day to get rid of plaque and food debris

·         Eat a balanced diet, limit snacks, and avoid sugary drinks and foods

·         Maintain a plan of regular dental checkups before and during pregnancy for professional evaluation and cleanings if required.

·         Protect your teeth by rinsing your mouth with a mixture of baking soda and warm water to neutralize stomach acids if you are experiencing morning sickness.

·         Follow home care recommendations or essential treatments suggested by your dentist, such as an antibacterial mouth rinse.

Though the world is going through a tough time, dentists are following all safety norms necessary to avoid their patients from getting infected in any case. Pregnant women and their unborn children are more prone to such infections. Make sure you discuss your condition with your dentists so that he/she can make special arrangements for you.

The whole chamber must be sanitized first along with all tools and equipment. This whole process takes around 1-2 hours. In the case of a pregnant woman as a patient, a good dentist takes additional safety measures to avoid risking the life of a woman and her baby.

Even after your baby arrives, make sure you don’t leave your continuity of visiting your dentist. It is necessary even after you deliver your baby as maintaining optimal dental health is your responsibility for which you need to see your dentist at least biannually.  Find out the best and most reputable dentist near you and schedule your visits. Maintaining your oral health is important not only for you but also for your baby no matter you are pregnant or you have delivered your baby. Your pregnancy cannot be an excuse for comprising your oral hygiene.