Plano Dentist – Dental Health Tips for a Brighter Smile

Society places great importance on the appearance of one's smile. Many people work hard to obtain whiter and brighter teeth. A person's smile is often the primary characteristic noticed in first impressions. Therefore, caring for your teeth and taking part in good dental health practices should be an essential part of personal hygiene. There are a variety of dental health tips that one can take to create a more beautiful smile.

Choosing a Toothbrush

Everyone is aware that they need to brush their teeth regularly. However, few people understand the importance of choosing a proper toothbrush. Many believe that as long as they brush, they will have healthy teeth. However, the brush that you choose has much to do with how effective your brushing will be. When looking for a toothbrush, choose one that has a head of around 1 inch in length and a rounded appearance. The bristles should be soft and not cause damage to the gums. Avoid brushes that feel abrasive and can irritate the mouth. The average adult needs a brush with four rows of bristles while those with smaller mouths and children need a brush with three rows of bristles.

If the correct toothbrush is not chosen, the gums can become irritated and sore. This leaves the gums more susceptible to being attacked by gum disease. People with sore gums are also less likely to care for their teeth through regular brushing and floss due to the pain.

Visit a Dentist in Plano

Good dental hygiene also includes regular visits to a dentist. Gum disease is a common occurrence in adults. The reduction of plaque on the teeth during check-ups will reduce the amount of bacteria in the mouth. Thus, the likelihood of gum disease also lessens. During regular check-ups, the Plano dentist can examine the mouth for any signs of potential problems and stop them before they occur or worsen.

Teeth Whitening in Plano

Teeth Whitening Basics

Plano teeth whitening means cleaning, bleaching, or both. Teeth cleaning whitens teeth by removing surface stains. Bleaching means lifting the natural color off of teeth. If your teeth are naturally white, regular care and professional cleanings may be all that's needed to keep them sparkling. For darker colored teeth, bleaching may be added to lift the natural color and make teeth whiter than nature intended.

Cleaning causes teeth whitening by the removal of superficial stains on the surface of each tooth. The stains can develop from dark-colored foods and drinks, or from smoking. Stains can be removed by regular brushing, flossing, and dental hygienist cleanings.

According to the FDA, the term "bleaching" can only be used when teeth whitening involves the use of hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide, both of which are bleaching agents.

Stubborn food, beverage, and cigarette stains that can't be removed with routine dental care can often be removed with the addition of bleaching, especially when treated early, before the stains penetrate into the dentin.

Bleaching is the only effective teeth whitening treatment if the teeth have intrinsic stains from tetracycline, excessive fluoride, aging, or trauma. The degree and length of bleaching necessary to attain the desired degree of whiteness depends on the depth of the staining.

For severe stains, in-office bleaching treatments with a 9-40% hydrogen peroxide solution can be very effective. For less severe staining, at-home carbamide peroxide treatments can be used under a dentist's supervision. Carbamide peroxide breaks down into the equivalent of a 5% hydrogen peroxide solution that can be used long-term until the desired degree of teeth whitening in Plano is achieved.